Are you buying your first home in Brisbane? As a newcomer to the property market you might be finding it an overwhelming experience. There are just so many things to do, from organising your finances to inspecting potential homes.
One important part of the buying process you shouldn’t overlook is the building and pest inspection, or as it’s otherwise known, a pre-purchase inspection. We liken it to getting a mechanic to look over a used car before you purchase it.
To help you understand everything there is to know about building and pest inspections, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
What is a building and pest inspection?
A building and pest inspection is one of the best ways to protect your investment when you’re looking to purchase a property. During a building and pest inspection a professionally trained inspector will identify issues, defects or safety hazards in and around the property.
Upon completion, you will be given an in-depth report that lists issues that affect the property, from minor faults such as leaking taps, to more serious issues such as termite infestation or major structural damage.
When should you book a building and pest inspection?
When you need to organise a building and pest inspection will depend on the type of sale. Queensland contracts of property sale have a 7 day cooling off period, so we recommend you book your building and pest inspection as soon as possible.
If it’s a private sale, the building and pest inspection will generally be carried out once the seller has accepted your offer and you have signed the contract. If you plan on buying a property at auction, the inspection will need to be completed before the auction.
Can you attend the inspection?
If the selling agent agrees, we welcome you to attend the building inspection. Sometimes it’s not possible if the property has tenants or the vendor doesn’t agree.
How much does a building and pest inspection cost?
As a first home buyer, you’re probably wondering how much building and pest inspections cost.
At Building Inspections Brisbane, we will carry out building and pest inspections within 3 days, with a same day report.
$450 + gst for up to 4 bedrooms.
$500 + gst for 5 bedrooms.
Exactly what’s included in a building and pest inspection?
At Building and Pest Inspection Brisbane, a QBCC licensed builder will conduct a thorough inspection so they can give you a comprehensive report categorising minor and major defects. The inspection itself will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete onsite plus extra time offsite to create the report.
Our Brisbane inspectors will check for any structural issues with the building, evidence of pest infestation, cracks in the walls or roof, mould, rotting timber or rust, anything that isn’t functioning as it should and a variety of other issues.
They will check many areas of the property, including:
- subfloor/underfloor spaces
- laundry and kitchen
- bathrooms
- wet areas
- plumbing
- electrical
- yard
- masonry walls
- roof exterior
- interior
- exterior.
An electronic report can be emailed to you within hours of completing the inspection, otherwise standard delivery is the next business day.
What’s the difference between minor and major defects?
All minor and major defects found by our inspector will be listed in an in-depth report.
Minor defects can also be called ‘maintenance issues’ and can be repaired when you have the budget. Some examples of minor defects include leaking taps, broken windows or doors or air conditioning problems. Major defects could include subsidence, termite infestation, draining problems or roof damage. Major defects should be attended to without delay as they could deteriorate and cause further damage and increase repair costs.
Can you ask the building and pest inspector questions?
Yes! Our friendly inspectors are here to help and are available to answer any questions you have about the report. If you don’t understand something in the building and pest inspection report, contact our inspector and they’ll be happy to provide an explanation.
Should you ask for a sample report?
We always recommend asking for a sample report before you book a building and pest inspection. Some inspectors only provide a very short 4-page report that doesn’t categorise major and minor defects. At Building and Pest Inspection Brisbane we provide an in-depth report.
What happens if the inspector finds faults with the property?
Pre-purchase inspections are a great way to identify faults with the property you want to purchase. Major defects noted in the report may give you the opportunity to either withdraw from the contract if it’s a serious problem, negotiate with the vendor to reduce the price or fix the issue before settlement.
Ready to book a pre-purchase inspection in Brisbane? Fill out an online form today or contact Building and Pest Inspection Brisbane on 0408 666 539.