If you own an old building or are looking to purchase any age or type of building you’re going to want to have a building inspection completed. This is the best way to give you peace of mind and help to ensure you’re not about to find a large, unexpected, and very unwelcome bill.
It’s important to note that a building inspection is not the same as the appraisal that your mortgage company will demand.
What Is the Building Inspection?
The first thing you should be aware of is that a reputable building consultant Sydney will do a comprehensive inspection. It’s worth paying extra for the best, this is one array where scrimping could cost you substantially more in the long run
The purpose of a building inspection is to assess the condition of a property. It is particularly looking at structural issues. However, you should note you need a detailed building inspection, not just a visual inspection.
Every building inspector will need to be able to get to the inside and outside of the building, they’ll need access to the roof space, under-floor space, and any other places that aren’t usually frequented. The inspector will also use specialist equipment to help them identify any defects.
It’s also possible that the inspection can include identification of asbestos, inspection of electrics, and verification of smoke alarms. Asbestos Can be very Dangerous. Test asbestos in your home with Asbestos Sampling.
In short, the building inspection should tell you everything about the building. When it’s completed you’ll know of any faults, how serious they are, and be able to plan how to resolve them.
What’s Inspected?
The short version is everything. Your building inspector will look at the roof inside and out. This will allow him to assess its condition and identify any leaks or sagging structures. These will create issues in the future and can even encourage wet rot in the timbers of your house.
It’s normal for the guttering to be inspected at this point.
The wood is also inspected for any signs of rot or pest infestation. This is done across the house. Thermal imaging will be used to ensure the property doesn’t have structural issues such as subsidence or cracking. These can be serious issues to deal with.
Your inspection will also look for signs of damp as this can cause a multitude of issues within a property. Damp can be rising from the floor or coming in from above.
Electrical systems are usually checked to verify that they meet current standards and the plumbing system will also be inspected. This will help you to identify potential leaks or issues with the types of pipes used.
The inspection is thorough but, as the report will indicate, there are things that can be missed. For example, if the inspector can’t get into a section of the property they won’t be able to check that area.
You should take a good look at the inspection report to clarify what has and what hasn’t been inspected, this will ensure you know exactly what condition your property is in.