Pre-purchase building inspections

The excitement of buying a new home can sometimes outweigh sensible precautions, but pre-purchase building inspections are one that shouldn't be overlooked. The romantic appeal of finding that perfect place may be a strong tug, but discovering some months or years down the track that your dream home is riddled with expensive or even dangerous structural problems will be sure to rub the shine off. Pre - purchase inspections should be carried out by professionals, of which there are many, and should include some important aspects.

What are pre-purchase inspections?

Simply, a pre-purchase building inspection is a survey of a property which you are interested in buying, to assess structural and interior soundness. A good inspection should also give you an estimate of costs involved in repairing any problems.

In a pre-purchase inspection, you can expect a report on the following aspects of the building:

• Rising damp
• Termite or other serious insect infestation
• Leaks, including under the shower
• Timber or other structural decay or damage
• Cracks or damage to walls, roof tiles and other brickwork
• Floor soundness, including ventilation, drainage, and other issues
• Electrical and wiring problems

Some building inspections can now be carried out with thermal imaging technology, which can pinpoint structural unsoundness without invasive procedures such as removing cladding. If a problem is discovered, it will need to be investigated more thoroughly.

Why you need a pre-purchase building inspection

As these inspections are designed to find flaws that you will be unable to detect with the eye (using equipment such as moisture meters and thermal imaging), they can potentially save you a great deal of stress and money. Problems such as rising damp, timber unsoundness and termite damage may not be apparent until they are quite severe, and discovering them before you make the commitment to the largest financial investment that most people will make is wise. Hire an experienced, trained contractor to do this for you, and ensure that you get a full report, with photographs and estimates of repair costs for any problems which are discovered.

Importance of building inspections

Spending the money on a pre-purchase building inspection for your prospective new home is a cost which will potentially save you a great deal of money. The chance to avoid buying a home with serious structural problems or to renegotiate the price based on the projected costs of repairing problems puts you in a strong position, and will allow you to make the purchase fully informed and ready to enjoy your new home with no nasty surprises.