The Essential Guide to Home Inspections: What Every Buyer Needs to Know
A residential building inspection is a crucial part of the home-buying process for any prospective buyer. Although home inspections are optional, it is highly recommended that all buyers invest the extra funds to obtain one. A building inspection typically costs between $400 and $700, depending on the location, but can save homeowners thousands of dollars in the long run. A home inspector can identify problems that the average person might overlook, reducing unexpected repair costs. Including a home inspection in any purchase agreement ensures that potential issues are identified upfront, affecting both the deal’s price and the decision to proceed with the contract.
Given the importance of home inspections, it’s essential to understand the process from the inspector’s perspective to know what to expect if you decide to hire one.
Meet the Building Inspector
The first step after contacting inspectors in your area is a phone meeting with your chosen home inspector. The inspector will guide you through the process, explaining what they typically look for in a home and what is covered in the inspection process. You’ll feel more comfortable once you have a detailed understanding of the inclusions and process.
Home inspectors need significant training and knowledge of current building practices. A good inspector understands which corners are frequently cut during construction, which areas raise red flags, and which ones are manageable.
Go through a Complete Home Inspection
The home inspection itself is one of the most critical aspects for the prospective homeowner and the inspector. A good inspector will thoroughly examine the following:
- Timber
- Roof and Floor
- Walls and Ceilings
- Roof void and Insulation
- Boundaries and Fencing
- Exterior Walls
- Facia and Downpipes
- Doors, Windows, Sub doors, Window Frames, Door Frames, Cabinets
- Balconies, Stairs, and Patios
- Drainage, Gutters, Weepholes and Vents, Hot Water System, Driveways
Discuss the report findings with the Inspector
After inspecting the home, the inspector will be more than happy to address any of your concerns and explain their impressions in layman’s terms, along with any trouble areas that initially come to mind. This early assessment can provide you with a general impression of whether the home is a good purchase or not.
Even though Leading Building reports clearly identify issues, make sure to ask about any concerns if unsure, how long it would take to bring them up to standard, and approximately how much it would cost. Knowing this information is a substantial asset that can save you many potential headaches in the future.
Get a Detailed Report and Recommendations
Once the building inspector has completed the assessments, you will be provided with a thorough property condition report in accordance with Australian Standard AS4349.1. This report will contain their findings and recommendations, including maintenance items, defects, major defects, and safety hazards. The inspection report will clearly state which areas need to be addressed, which will be a factor in any cost-benefit analysis of the home’s asking price and renegotiating if there are adverse report findings.
Open-Ended Service Relationship
A great building inspector will not just hand you the report and leave. Many of the key findings in the report may be unclear, and you might not feel confident knowing how to proceed if you purchase the home. A Leading Building Inspector will work closely with you to resolve any queries you may have after you receive the report, ensuring you can move forward with your decision with confidence.
You can call us for a comprehensive rundown of what we do and a free, no-obligation quote.
