What Happens During a Building Inspection

When you find a house or other piece of property that you are interested in buying, it is a good idea to know as much about the condition of the home before you buy it, this will help you avoid possible problems and additional costs later on. The best way to do this is to get a pre-purchase inspection report, otherwise known as a building inspection.

A good local building inspector will look for major problems with the building such as structural problems, leaking roofs, damp, leaking showers and bathtubs, bad drainage, water hammer, and any potential safety hazards.

A good building inspector will thoroughly check these areas:

• The grounds – All driveways, retaining walls, pathways, steps, and surface drainage up to 30 metres from the building are checked for defects or shortfalls. Large trees and other possible problems are assessed, including all boundary fences. One outbuilding such as a shed, granny flat, or garage is also inspected.
• The building exterior – The outside of the building is inspected for cracks and other problems. Doors and windows are also inspected, as are any verandahs, decks, balconies, and any other wooden structures for structural safety, wood rot, and other problems.
• The building interior – All rooms including living areas, hallways, and bedrooms are checked for defects. This check includes walls, floors, ceilings, trims, windows, and doors as well as any closets, cupboards, and joinery. Wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are inspected for water operation, water hammer, the age and condition of the hot water service, and evidence of leaks and damage to fixtures and fittings. During the inspection, toilets are flushed so that the building inspector can take moisture readings.
• The roof exterior – Roof coverings such as corrugated metal and membranes, tiles, valleys, cappings, and flashings are inspected. Skylights, gutters, and downpipes are also assessed. The building inspector is looking for evidence that the roof is not adequately plumbed, or not watertight.
• The roof interior – All roof framing including members and connections are inspected for defects, the roof covering itself is checked from the inside for evidence of leaks. Insulation, sisalation, electrical installations are also checked for potential safety hazards.

At Tradebusters Connect we have selected a limited number of building inspectors in your local area to be members of our directory service. We are sure one of them will be a good choice for you.

Their contact details are available here on this website and you are free to contact them directly. Don’t forget to check for any specials they may have.