“It’s not about what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside that counts.” We have all heard this saying before, but how often do we actually live by it when making decisions? Especially when investing in a home, which is a lifetime investment. This is why a building and pest report is important to know about.
Prior to purchasing a property, a great deal of research is done on location, financial, and mortgage advice, among many other factors. Can you obtain pest and building report for strata property? The answer is yes; however, many people forget to do so!
This is mainly because not many people know or understand how crucial it is to conduct these tests. On the other hand, despite the fact that carrying out these tests is extremely inexpensive, those who are aware of it still try to avoid it.
However, the real question is, why not inspect the property when, in return, you can eliminate any unpleasant surprises in the future?
Why is a Building and Pest Report Necessary?
- A building and pest report will provide a comprehensive understanding of the house’s structural integrity and any potential problems that might not be apparent to the untrained eye.
- It will give you the required information for you to make an informed decision about whether you should invest in this property or not.
- You will be informed if there are any pest problems on or around the property that need to be addressed and resolved prior to making a long-term commitment.
- Once you have the report, you can use it to bargain with the seller for a lower purchase price so you can fix any structural issues or pest problems. However, if it is too bad, you can choose a better option as a value for your money.
- Pre Purchase Inspections are highly recommended. Pre purchasing building or property inspections shield you from any regrets you might have in the future if you buy a property without carrying out the appropriate due diligence first. It is better to be informed rather than cry over the spilt milk.
What Will the Property Inspector Check and Examine?
The key components of the building that the building inspector will examine include:
- Roof space.
- Flooring.
- Fencing.
- Retaining walls
- Garage.
- Steps.
- Bathroom.
- Garden shed.
- Driveways.
- Laundry.
- Walls.
- Paths.
- Surface water drainage
- Strata inspection
6 secrets a Building and Pest Report Can Reveal
A report is a wide study of a building or property that is typically conducted by a certified building and pest inspector prior to purchasing the property. They conduct these inspections and carefully examine every corner of the building to know what’s really happening inside.
Following this, a report is written based on the findings of a building and pest inspection. The report typically includes:
1. Structural issues with the building
The report will highlight important information, such as whether the plot of land is flat or sloped. This is important information that could end up saving you hundreds of thousands of rupees.
For example, there may be surface drainage problems if the surface is elevated or sloped, or if drainage has not been installed or has not been installed correctly.
Similarly, water should not be flowing under a home; if it is, then the soil is damp. This could result in serious issues like the foundations and footings of a house being damaged by water running underneath, which is also conducive to termites.
2. Unnoticeable holes or cracks in the walls or the roof
Imagine insects creeping through the walls or water pouring down during a rainstorm from the ceiling. It is inconvenient to think about this too, right? Then think how would you feel in experiencing such things after you have spent your hard-earned money on such a property.
Some cracks or holes are considered to be minor and require easy repairs. However, more substantial cracking indicates structural damage within the home that can potentially lead to the collapse of walls, ceilings, roofs, and flooring.
Therefore, a report will consist of such information. The inspector will use moisture metres to determine whether the roof is damp and to look for wall cracks. When found, solutions can be made before it’s too late.
3. Any indications of termites or other pest infestations
Termites frequently remain undetected for a long time inside a property. It is often very challenging to find before serious damage has been done to the surroundings. This is why it’s so important to recognise the warning signs as soon as possible in order to limit the damage.
Certified inspectors are able to spot these issues even when they are invisible to the untrained eye.
Termite damage can be detected if there is discoloured drywall, peeling paint that looks like water damage, hollow-sounding wood, or stuck windows and doors.
On the other hand, signs of a pest infestation include droppings, tiny gaps, nests in gutters, and even dried blood stains. It is guaranteed that these important details can be missed out on prior to purchasing. This is why getting the report is so important.
4. Any potential problems with the gas, water, or electricity
These are the three main components of living inside a property. The true impact and dependence on each one of them can be seen if one of them is unavailable for longer than two hours. However, if there is a problem with any of them or their wiring systems, the damage could also be severe.
Sometimes, pipe leaks can be fixed easily, but the leakage of gas can result in people losing their lives. This is a crucial examination, which has to be done prior to purchasing a property. Even if there is just one mistake, you can ask the seller to cover the costs rather than finding out later and having to pay out of pocket.
5. Any other type of property damage
Property damage can also include issues such as rotting wood, rust, mould, stains, and other similar issues. For instance, if the property’s timber or any other material is damaged, it will degrade and eventually collapse in the future.
Similarly, rust can cause a variety of problems. For example, structurally, it can cause brittleness, thus endangering the safety of users. This is why it is mandated that there should be ongoing structural inspection programmes to check for any potential threats to human life.
6. The doors, windows, or any other amenities broken
Why would you like to purchase a property if it has broken doors, windows, tiles, or any other amenities? Imagine the cost of repairs you would have to spend if you discovered it too late. Such information can be viewed in the report, and a wise decision can be made, with no regrets in the future.
Finally, once you have your building and pest report, you have two choices:
- You can be satisfied with the results and move forward as planned, or
- You can be dissatisfied and either renegotiate your terms or withdraw from the contract.
By now, you would have understood that buying into a property “blind” simply isn’t worth the risk. However, if you have signed an unconditional contract, you may be forced to proceed with the purchase regardless of the report’s findings. Therefore, always be attentive to conducting these tests prior to signing the dotted lines.
What are the Other Benefits of Building and Pest Reports?
Discover deliberately hidden issues
A building and pest report makes it easier to understand building defects. Ignorance is not always bliss! In order to prevent you from learning about problems before it is too late, many property owners will simply cover up any damage with a little paint, wallpaper, or rugs.
This is why complete awareness is very much needed. Only an expert has the education and experience to assess whether there is building damage or any other issues with which you should be concerned.
Additionally, it’s critical to make sure that these hidden flaws or problems are disclosed so that you can fully understand the investment you are about to make. After all, getting a building and pest inspection report is much wiser than regretting it later.
Determine the actual value of the property
The same property you agreed to purchase at $300,000 can now be brought down to $150,000 by showing the report to the owner. Through this, you are catching the owner off-guard which will enable you to pinpoint all the flaws in the property.
Most likely, owners will listen to your points of discussion and reduce the price since they will want to make sure that the property is sold. Even though there will be expenses after the purchase of the property, it will definitely be worth the money spent on the investment.
Moreover, the inspection will also enable you to see what type of material was used to construct the property. This can be a defining point in getting your final “cut” from the total value. However, if the quality is really bad, the expenditure for the future will be much more.
Think and work smarter, not harder! This is how deals are made in real life.
A building and pest report gives you peace of mind
Whether the report finds many defects or none, it means that when you decide to buy, you can do it with confidence. Meaning, you can live in peace knowing that the property you bought is worth every hard-earned penny.
When Should you Get a Building Inspection?
As you know, ideally, it should be before you sign a contract. Despite how early it may seem, it is a really good idea to learn more about the property before committing to purchasing it.
Nonetheless, if you have already signed the contract before the test, do not worry! A building inspection can still be performed. It is also possible to conduct pre-settlement inspections. This is a follow-up visit to the property before you reach a settlement and finalise the sale.
This is an opportunity to conduct one final inspection of the property to ensure that neither its condition nor any contractual requirements have changed.
Who Reviews the Pest and Building Report When Purchasing a House?
There are many. However, conveyancing.com.au can help you review prior to purchasing. They will assist in ensuring that it is the subject of a building and pest inspection.
How Much for Building and Pest Report in Sydney?
Final remarks
The world is much more advanced than making choices you would regret later in life. While it may be tempting to forgo an independent inspection and accept a pre-existing report to save some money, getting your own inspection should be non-negotiable.
Always keep in mind that spending a few hundred dollars on getting a building and pest report is a small price to pay, which would ultimately save you thousands of dollars in unanticipated repairs. A qualified building and pest inspector should also be one of your top priorities.
After all, if you plan to protect your investment by all means necessary, then take suitable precautionary measures to secure your soon-to-be property by obtaining a pest and building report. The results will surprise you more than you intended!
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