Building/Pest Inspections
It is crucial that you get a building and pest inspection done on a property before you exchange contracts.
If you are buying at auction, this would need to be done before the auction as exchange of contracts happens straight after the auction. If you are buying via private treat, this can be done after the price is negotiated but before the contract is exchanged.
A building and pest inspection investigates how structurally sound the property is, whether there is any termite damage that could cause major structural problems - possibly fall down. There are too many examples of people buying a home only to have it pulled down due to termites. That makes for an expensive purchase.
The last thing you want to do is buy a home and then have to pull it down because of termite damage.
Search for a building inspector and a pest inspector that is licensed and fully insured.
There is no point getting a report by someone who is not licensed as you will not be able to rely on it if things go wrong.
A Licensed Building Inspector will check the following:
- the site
- the sub floor
- the exterior
- inside the house
- the roof void and the roof itself.
You will be provided with a detailed written report.
It is very beneficial to be at the property when the building and pest inspector is there as they are likely to make comments along the way that will give you more insight into the quality of the home you are considering.
