One of the soundest investment decisions you’ll ever make as an Australian is buying property. This big step is exciting; however, you should be extra careful to make an informed one.

The most important thing you should do when buying a property in Sydney is conduct pre-purchase building inspections.

Property inspections will help you avoid many problems and even extra costs later. Also, it helps you know the building situation before moving in and signing the necessary documents. Now, if you are wondering when to get a building inspection when buying a house in Sydney? We will be uncovering this and more in our blog today!

Buying a House in Sydney? Here’s When You Should Get a Building Inspection

One disturbing question for most Sydney house buyers is when to get a building inspection. Frankly, the safest and most viable option is getting the inspection done before entering a contract if you are in a position to do that.

Sometimes, the house you are buying might have several other prospects. So, you want to move into it as quickly as possible, so it’s nearly impossible to get building and pest inspection done before entering into a contract. In this scenario, ensure it is a condition of the contract if possible.  Additionally ensure that when the condition contract is made, it significantly favors you.

Otherwise, in normal case scenarios, it’s best to get the inspection done before you finalize the exchange contract. This helps identify problems within the building you are about to settle on and know how these will affect the property’s price.  Prior inspections also help determine the condition of the house over time allowing you to set a budget for future repairs.

Most building inspection reports will highlight the defects inside and outside the building. It should also identify the state of the roof, walls, electrical plumbing system, HVAC system, and underfloor space. Here are the places that should be included in the building inspection report:

• Fencing
• Garage
• Surface water drainage
• Laundry and toilet
• Garden shed
• Carport
• Stormwater run-off
• Paths and driveways
• Steps
• Small retaining walls

It is also important to conduct a building inspection when the house is brand new and no one has lived there. This is because there could be some vital issues that need addressing even when the property is at completion stage. Also, you get a better idea of the actual condition and quality of workmanship in and around the house. The last thing you want is a house that isn’t what it appears to be from the word go.

How to Prepare for a Pre-purchase Building Inspection

When conducting pre-purchase building inspections in Sydney, there are several vital factors that you need to put into consideration. Here are some of the things you should prepare for!

Get an Independent building and pest inspector

Real estate agents or house owners might tell you they are making the building inspection process available to their clients. Well, this could be free, but it’s always vital to get an independent building and pest inspection done yourself.

Ensure that the person you select to do your building inspection is qualified. You can work with people in the construction industry, such as architects, surveyors, and licensed builders, to perform property inspections. These professionals may give you a building inspection report, however it probably will not comply with the Australian Standards AS4349.1 – 2007.

Your Inspection report should contain the following:

• Your name
• Address of the property being inspected
• Type of Inspection
• Reason for the inspection
• Date and scope of the inspection
• Items and areas not inspected and reasons for not doing so. A recommendation for further investigation
• Overall condition of the property
• Identification of significant problems that require fixing
• Recommendations that further inspections or assessments be carried out by a suitably accredited specialists: such as gas, electricity supply authority or possible structural engineer or geologist.

Be Ready to Discern Between What’s Material and Immaterial

Building inspections will lay blank on everything wrong with the building you are about to purchase. Therefore, you need to be in a position to determine what’s material and what is non-material. This will give you an idea of the cost of what you might spend on repairs so that you can decide whether or not to go ahead with the purchase.

For example, if the inspection report says that the building is in need of demolition, then you would most likely walk away. However, you might be a bit more considerate if you are dealing with just small settlement cracks to the walls or a couple of corroded roof sheets, as these defects may not require repairs or can be replaced inexpensively.

A house defect inspection is imperative when considering buying a house in Sydney. It will help identify any defects in the house that significantly influences your decision of whether you’ll buy the house. Ensure that you hire a third-party professional, such as Doric Property Inspections to get independent advice on the nature of the property.