Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. For this reason, we know you’ll want to do everything you can to protect your investment.
When you buy a home it’s wise to enter into the agreement with your eyes wide open. It’s important to know that the property you are purchasing is everything it seems. Unfortunately, without a professional opinion, it’s hard to identify every issue and it could come back to haunt you in the long run.
A pre-purchase building and pest inspection is an essential part of purchasing a home. As providers of building and pest inspection in Brisbane, our inspectors do everything they can to ensure you know if the property you are buying has any major building defects or termite problems.
What we inspect during a pre-purchase inspection:
- wet areas
- electrical checks
- yard
- plumbing checks
- roof exterior
- masonry walls
- exterior
- interior
- laundry and kitchen
- bathrooms
- roof space/voids
- subfloor/underfloor space.
Some of the most common issues found during pre-purchase building and pest inspections include:
Water leaks and damage
One of the most common problems our inspectors uncover during pre-purchase building and pest inspections is water damage. While in some cases it’s an easy fix, water damage or leaks can damage the structural integrity of a property and attract termites.
Finding this problem before you commit to the purchase could save you lots of money in the future and help you avoid potential health problems caused by moisture and mould growth.
An obvious sign is damage to plaster or paintwork which is close to a water source. Some causes could be bad drainage, leaking pipes, dampness or clogged guttering.
At Building and Pest Inspection Brisbane we undertake extensive testing with a digital moisture meter, paying special attention to wet areas and surrounding walls, floors and ceilings.
Roof damage
Another issue we find very often is cracked roof tiles. Depending on the severity, you will be notified whether it’s a minor defect or if it’s considered major damage that needs to be repaired immediately.
The roof of the home is the first line of defence against bad weather, so our inspectors will conduct a thorough inspection of the interior and exterior. This even includes the roof space/voids.
The Building and Pest Inspection Brisbane inspectors will look for signs of water damage, cracks or decay and outline any defects in a detailed same-day report.
Termite infestation
Termite infestation is a serious problem our inspectors find at properties in the Brisbane area.
At your pre-purchase building and pest inspection our inspector will take a good look around the property for evidence of termite activity.
If termite activity is detected, we can identify the areas at most risk of infestation. Even when there isn’t termite activity found, our inspectors can locate areas that are most at risk to termite damage in the future and recommend a termite management plan to mitigate the risk.
Ventilation problems
Did you know that ventilation problems are a commonly reported problem during pre-purchase building inspections? Homes need proper ventilation, especially if they are sitting on stumps.
Poor ventilation and dampness can lead to structural damage, mould problems, termite infestation, wood rot and may lead to increased air-conditioning costs – adding to your electricity bill.
Drainage issues
Property defects can be found inside and outside the home. Another common issue found during building and pest inspections is related to drainage.
Our inspectors take a good look around the exterior of the property, inspecting the levels in the yard to check drainage. It’s essential that water flows away from the building to prevent water damage, structural damage and rising damp in the home.
These are just a few of the most common problems found during building and pest inspections in Brisbane. If you’re buying a property and looking for peace of mind, contact us today to find out more about our building and pest inspection services.