How A Building Inspection Works

Building inspections are an important part of purchasing real estate. A proper building inspection can save you thousands of dollars off the purchase price. Once you have decided on a building inspector and organised a time, your work is done, the rest is up to the inspection company to complete. The inspector will visit the property and do a thorough building inspection of all accessible areas of the home/building looking for any major or minor defects and hidden problems of any kind. Once the building inspection has concluded, the building inspector will fill out an easy-to-read report of the property and will also include photos that document any notable issues. If you had the inspection performed by Clear View Property Inspections you will also receive a phone call from the building inspector himself, briefing you on what was found at the property.  

A building inspection is a thorough evaluation of a building’s structure, systems, and components to determine its condition and identify any issues or defects that may require attention. Here is a general overview of how a building inspection works:

  1. Scheduling: The first step in a building inspection is to schedule the inspection with a qualified building inspector. The inspector will typically ask for information about the building, including its age, size, and location, as well as the reason for the inspection.
  2. Inspection: On the day of the inspection, the inspector will arrive at the building and begin the inspection process. The inspector will typically start with a visual inspection of the exterior of the building, including the roof, foundation, walls, and windows.
  3. Interior Inspection: After the exterior inspection, the inspector will move inside the building and inspect each room, including the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas. The inspector will look for signs of water damage, electrical issues, plumbing problems, and other issues that may affect the safety or functionality of the building.
  4. Systems Inspection: The inspector will also inspect the building’s systems, including the electrical system, plumbing system, HVAC system, and other mechanical systems. The inspector will look for signs of wear and tear, damage, or other issues that may need attention.
  5. Report: After completing the inspection, the inspector will provide a detailed report outlining the findings of the inspection. The report will typically include photos, descriptions, and recommendations for any issues that were identified during the inspection. The report will also include information about the overall condition of the building and any potential risks or hazards that were identified.
  6. Recommendations: Based on the findings of the inspection, the inspector may make recommendations for repairs, maintenance, or upgrades that may be necessary to ensure the safety and functionality of the building. The recommendations may include specific actions that should be taken, such as repairing a leaky roof, replacing faulty wiring, or upgrading an outdated HVAC system.

Overall, a building inspection is a comprehensive process that provides valuable information about the condition of a building and any issues or defects that may need attention. By conducting a building inspection, property owners can identify potential problems and take steps to address them before they become more serious and costly to repair.

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The role of a building inspection during a property purchase

The role of a building inspection during a property purchase is to provide the buyer with a thorough assessment of the condition of the building and any potential issues or defects that may need to be addressed. This is an important step in the property purchase process, as it can help the buyer make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase and negotiate any necessary repairs or renovations.

Here are some specific ways in which a building inspection can be important during a property purchase:

  • Identify issues: A building inspection can help identify any issues or defects that may not be immediately apparent to the buyer during a visual inspection. This may include structural problems, plumbing issues, electrical faults, or other issues that could affect the safety or functionality of the building.
  • Estimate repair costs: Once any issues or defects have been identified, the building inspector can provide an estimate of the repair costs. This information can help the buyer negotiate with the seller to have the repairs completed prior to the sale, or to adjust the purchase price accordingly.
  • Protect the buyer: By having a building inspection conducted, the buyer can be confident that they are making an informed decision about the property and that they are not buying a property with hidden issues or defects.
  • Provide peace of mind: A building inspection can provide peace of mind to the buyer, knowing that they have done their due diligence in assessing the property and that they are aware of any potential issues or risks.

Overall, a building inspection is an important step in the property purchase process, as it provides the buyer with valuable information about the condition of the building and any potential issues that may need to be addressed. This information can help the buyer make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase and negotiate any necessary repairs or renovations.

How To Get Ready For A Pre-Sale Building Inspection

Selling your home is a big step and also means that you will have people coming in and out of your home which may be a little confronting but not as confronting as the day you have a building inspector turn up. Usually, this could make or break your sale. The best thing to do before the dreaded knock at the door is to prepare your property for the building inspection. Here are some tips:

  • Clean your home – Simple, yet very important!!! You do not want a messy or dirty home to be the first thing a building inspector sees; it may give them a preconceived idea that the home is not well looked after.
  • De-clutter – This will make your home easy on the eyes and also easy for the building inspector to move around your home.
  • No pets running around and clean all traces of faeces.
  • Make your home accessible outside. Turn your attention to pruning trees and bushes, mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters and making sure nothing is preventing access to areas such as the hot water system or the air-conditioning unit. The building inspector will also inspect the roof void, roof, and also under the house. Please ensure it is not full of storage and the inspector will be able to access these areas.
  • Provide details of any recent repairs or building work done on the property. Providing such documentation will prove to the buyer that you are not trying to hide anything and that any additions or repairs to the home have been re-inspected, and will give them peace of mind.

All these steps will help in some way with the building inspection.