Undertaking a professional building and pest inspection should be a part of your due diligence in any property transaction. Knowing the property’s minor defects and potential structural issues enables you to negotiate the best price as a prospective buyer and proceed with a fair contract of sale.
A standard building inspection conducted by a reliable company like Uncover Building and Pest Inspections can provide you with valuable insights and peace of mind before making a significant investment.
But what exactly does a building inspection cover? Let’s find out what a building and pest inspection entails and what you can expect to find in the inspection report.
The Structure of the Building
The building inspection involves a thorough visual examination of the property’s physical structure. Trained professionals equipped with ladders, torches, drones and other specialised devices inspect all visible areas to identify structural damage or hidden problems. The report includes information on wood rot, leaks, moisture in walls, and other potential issues. This assessment helps you understand the maintenance needs, safety hazards, and overall condition of the property.
Documented History
A Pre-purchase building inspection provides valuable insights into the building’s construction history. This grants you a comprehensive understanding of its background, including major defects. It incorporates photographic evidence and a professionally recognised condition report that is valued by both real estate agents and solicitors. The report meticulously outlines areas of concern, potential hazards, defects, and essential repairs.
Should you require additional clarification on any aspect of the inspection, Uncover Building and Pest Inspections are readily available to offer follow-up advice and assistance.
Have a question? Check out our FAQs for more help.
Pests and Termites
Apart from assessing the building’s overall condition, a pest inspection is carried out to identify any pest-related problems or conditions that could attract termites. Our expert pest inspector utilises advanced technology to detect termite activity and termite damage in internal walls, beams, and other hard-to-reach areas. Through a comprehensive pest inspection, you can proactively tackle any existing issues before finalising the property purchase.
Areas of the House Included in the Inspection
During a building and pest inspection, a comprehensive examination is carried out by a certified Building Inspector, covering below areas:
- Interior: The inspection includes a thorough assessment of walls, electrical wiring, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, bathrooms, laundry, stairs, and cupboards.
- Roof Space: Structural elements, potential leaks, and insulation in the roof space are carefully inspected.
- Exterior: The inspection extends to the exterior of the property, encompassing stairs, garage, external finishes, gutters, eaves, porches, weep holes, and ventilation.
- Floor space: If accessible, a detailed inspection of footings, stumps, and drainage in the sub floor area is conducted.
- Roof Exterior: The inspection covers the roof exterior, including an assessment of gutters and downpipes (subject to height restrictions).
- Within a 30-meter radius of the building: The inspector conducts a thorough examination of various components, including fencing, retaining walls, driveways, paths, and surface drainage.
Each of these areas is meticulously examined by our qualified inspector to provide a comprehensive understanding of the property’s condition and to identify any potential issues that may need attention.
Areas Not Covered by the Inspection
While a building and pest inspection covers critical aspects of the property, there are specific areas that are not included. These areas are as follows:
- Home Appliances: The inspection does not encompass appliances like dishwashers, air conditioning units, range hoods, ducted vacuum systems, incinerators, ovens, or built-in heaters.
- Other Accessories: Other accessories, such as CCTV, alarm systems, smoke detectors (their locations are noted but not tested), power points, garden irrigation systems, and intercom systems, are not included in the inspection scope.
- Swimming Pools: The inspector is not qualified to assess the condition, safety standards, or equipment of swimming pools. It is advisable to seek a separate pool inspector’s services for this purpose.
- Building Code compliance: The inspection does not include an assessment of compliance with local building codes or regulations.
- Toxic and Hazardous Substances: While the report may mention the potential presence of hazardous materials like asbestos, further investigation and testing are necessary to confirm their existence.
- Natural Disasters: The inspection does not evaluate the likelihood of events such as flooding, erosion, or landslides in the area.
Please note that while these areas are not covered by the regular inspection or building inspection report, it is essential to address them separately. Contact us for a specialised inspection.
Professional building reports
A building and pest inspection offers invaluable insights into the structural integrity of a property. It helps you discover building defects so you can make an informed decision regarding a property. It can also save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs. By understanding what is included in the property report, you can approach your property purchase with confidence.
Uncover Building & Pest Inspections carry out pre-purchase inspections and handover reports throughout the Hunter Valley and Central Coast regions including Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and surrounding areas.
