A pre-purchase building & pest Inspection is undertaken when a buyer is finalising the purchase of a property. It is also undertaken by sellers who want to know the condition of their property before they put it on the market.Â
The inspection is a visual appraisal of the condition of the property. Its purpose is to identify existing issues, defects or areas of concern. This inspection is carried out in accordance with the Australian Standard 4349.1.
The report is broken into three sections – Major defects, minor defects and termites.Â
The major defects section will report on any areas of the property that show major structural damage or present major safety hazards. This is the area of the report that you should pay most attention to, as these defects may be costly to repair.Â
The minor defects section will identify any areas of the property that show minor damage, general wear and tear and issues that require maintenance. Minor defects can include issues such as cracked tiles, poorly maintained cabinetry or chipped paint. These are not areas of serious concern, but could be used in negotiations when purchasing the property.
The termite section will report on any areas of the property that visually show current or past termite attacks. Your inspector will also report on areas of the property that may be conducive to termite attack. If your inspector identifies signs of termite damage, they will bring out their Termatrac T3i which uses a thermal sensor to determine whether active termites are within the wall of floor without drilling or damaging the property.Â
Throughout the report, your building and pest inspector will use high quality photos and descriptions to describe each issue, so you have a complete understanding of the properties condition. If you’re present at the inspection, your inspector will also walk you through the property to explain any major issues.Â