Building Inspections & Reports

Our building inspection services include: 

• Pre-purchase property inspection
• Combined building and pest inspection
• Termite inspection
• Timber pest inspection
• Asbestos inspection
• Handover inspection
• New-build inspections

Major defects refer to any damage or deviation in any of the major components of a building which is likely to result in the structure being unusable. This defect is also severe enough to cause destruction or collapse of all or some part of the building. 

Major components of a building are essentially any load-bearing building elements such as: 

Common examples of major defects include cracks and damage to the foundation, floors, slabs and/or walls. 

Minor defects are relatively small defects and might affect the appearance or function of the property but does not compromise on the structural integrity of the building. This could include blemishes, wall dents, uneven finishes, corrosion or thin cracks. 

While they might not be as significant as a major defect, it's important to identify them so any maintenance requirements can be planned for. 

A structural defect is defined as any fault or disparity from the planned structural performance of a building - they can be major or minor defects. 

Common examples of structural issues include: 

• Exposed gaps between the walls 
• Walls and ceiling cracks
• Uneven floors 
• Warped ceilings
• Crumbling concrete

Read more about how to identify minor and major structural defects at your property.

An uneven floor can vary in severity and doesn't always require immediate action, however it could be the result of cracked floor joints, termite damage or insufficient sub-floors. 

We recommend seeking a professional contractor for expert advice on how to resolve this issue. 

The short answer is yes!

It's a common misconception amongst potential buyers that if a newly built property has passed the required staged inspections by a certifier that it must have no flaws. Unfortunately this is not the case - council inspectors and building certifiers only enforce building code compliance, and do not comment on the materials or workmanship.

This is why its important for a property buyer to enlist the services of an independent inspector who will thoroughly check a new property for quality of workmanship and materials, whether construction meets acceptable standards, as well as for any defects. 

View some of the common issues found in newly constructed homes.

Here are a few of the most common issues found during house inspections:

This list is by no means exhaustive, but a general overview of problems we see on a regular basis.

The cost of a building inspection depends on the size of the property and the type of property being inspected. I.e. a large acreage home will attract a different price to an apartment, townhouse or a Queenslander-style home on stilts. 

Also if you're looking to get additional inspection services such as a pest inspection or dilapidation report then you are looking at extra costs.

Inspect My Home offer competitive prices when it comes to our inspection services, and any client opting for a combined building and pest inspection can save off the total cost. 

View more information about our inspection costs here

Ideally, getting a building inspection done before entering into contract of sale is best to get all the facts about the property's condition before making your offer. In today's fast-moving market though, this can be difficult to achieve.

It is now commonplace for the buyer to arrange for a building inspection as soon as their initial offer has been accepted and they have entered into contract. However, its important to include a condition in your contract that the sale is "subject to building and pest inspection" so that, if a potentially costly or significant structural issue is found, you can still back out of the sale. A solicitor or conveyancer will be able to assist you in wording this correctly. 

Depending on what has been agreed upon between the two parties, the building and pest inspection will need to be carried out within 7-14 days of the offer being accepted.

Alternatively if you are going to auction, you should arrange for a building and pest to be carried out before auction day because if you are the successful bidder, then you are likely to be unconditional.  

Read: When To Walk Away From A Property

We are often asked whether it is the buyer's or seller's responsibility to arrange and pay for the building inspection.

Typically it is up to the buyer to both organise and pay for a building and pest inspection on any prospective property they are interested in - it is simply part of the due diligence required before going ahead with the property purchase.

However, we have seen a rise in pre-sale property inspections whereby the seller wishes to detect any potential issues with their property prior to putting in on the market, and avoid any unnecessary surprises. In this instance the seller would cover the inspection cost.

Inspect My Home are one of the largest providers in Australia, providing a full range of professional property inspection services in the following locations:

To find out if we service your area, enter your location in our search bar below.

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