Why Building And Pest Inspections Matter

Okay, let us start by saying that we know it’s not an exceptionally hot take that you probably don’t want your home to fall down or get infested with pests. In fact, physically stable and free of rodents and roaches are pretty high on my list of requirements for a home.

But just to drive home how essential building and pest inspections are to the home buying process allow us to break down the key benefits of inspections and point out which things you should be on the lookout for during the process.

What are building and pest inspections?

Building and pest inspections report on the current condition of a property and are designed to protect you during the purchasing process.

The reports arm you with detailed information about potential issues before you invest valuable time and money into a property. Asking the right questions and understanding your role at this stage of the home-buying process is invaluable because not only can it stop you from having to shill out a lot of money on repairs but it can help give you leverage in the negotiations process.

What do building and pest inspections look for?

Building and pest inspectors look for a wide variety of issues, such as cracks in walls, rust, dampness, mould or leak stains. They check to see if windows and doors are functional and if there are potential plumbing or electrical issues, rotting timber and pests.

Externally, they inspect the roof, walls, large trees and fire and garden hazards, as well as external structures. The inspection can also expose any previous pest infestations, what damage was caused and how it was fixed. Finally, they will check that any extensions to the property are legal and have council approval.

Basically they stop you having the wool pulled over your eyes and winding up with a home that’s in need of serious repairs.

How to get the most out of your building and pest inspection:

Before enlisting a building and pest inspector, you’ll need to ask them the following questions to make sure you’re hiring someone who will do a top-notch job – because if there’s one thing worse than navigating a grown-up life admin task, it’s having to redo that task because it wasn’t done properly the first time!

• What areas of the property does the inspection cover?
• What does the report include?
• What experience and qualifications do they have in residential home inspections?
• Will you be able to attend the onsite inspection?
• How long will the inspection take and how long will it take to get the report back?

Before the inspection, discuss any concerns that you have. Attend the inspection as this an excellent opportunity to educate yourself on the state of the property and ask further questions and get advice or suggestions on any potential issues. If you’re unable to attend, ask for detailed photos of areas that you might not have seen during your initial inspection.

Building and pest inspections are not a market appraisal – the inspector is only there to give you the facts about the current state of the property.

Interpreting a building and pest inspection

There is an Australian Standard that states what is to be included in a report, but the inspector you use and the amount you pay will determine the level of detail you’ll receive in a report. It can be a tick the box style report or an extensive 15-page report, either way, the reports are designed to expose any past, present or potential future issues of the home.

The Australian Standard requires that defects be located, identified, categorised under a type of fault (damage, distortion, water/damp related, deterioration etc.) and an indicator or marker or classification of each defect as to the significance or magnitude of defects. At first glance, the reports can be daunting, but any good inspector will talk you through the report.

At this stage, it’s important to remember that the majority of homes – yes, even your dream home -  have minor issues, so try not to get too caught up with these issues. If anything, the minor issues will give you more leverage when it comes to negotiating. It’s when the home is riddled with problems or has a significant issue, that you should consider whether the cost, time and resources are worth you moving ahead with the purchase.

Although some inspectors will assist with interpreting the report and pinpointing key issues, they can’t advise on whether you should purchase the property or not. If you need help with assessing the report, talk with your conveyancer or a trusted family member, friend or colleague who has experience dealing with inspection reports.

Finding the right building and pest inspector for you

Finding a building and pest inspector who is reputable and takes a thorough approach is super important. Ask family and friends who they have used recently or ask your real estate agent to recommend professionals in your local area.

Make sure you ask them all the questions above and ask for previous reports that they have done so that you can understand what type of report you will receive from them.

We know that when you’re buying a house there are a thousand things on your plate and that building and pest inspections are an undeniably tedious step but it’s actually very important. It will safeguard, and arm you, with all the information and help you to make an informed decision before putting a final offer on the property or for when you go to bid at auction.

For more tips and advice on getting ready to buy, read our blogs what first home buyer wish they knew before buying property, or getting ready to buy this financial year.