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The Importance of Building Inspections

Importance of Building Inspections

The team at KDD Conveyancing understands that buying your first home can be thrilling and challenging process. When choosing the right property to buy, there are a number of factors to consider such as amenities, the size of your property, the suburb and location, council rates and many more.

However, before you decide to buy a property, we highly recommend that you obtain a building inspection from experienced home inspector. These inspections will identify the condition of the property and help you to avoid any problems and extra cost down the track.

This pre-purchase house inspection will provide you with a comprehensive report detailing the current condition of the house, potential issues and legal compliance. Furthermore, will allow leverage for interested buyers to negotiate the price of the property.

WHAT IS IDENTIFIED IN THE INSPECTION?

The inspection of a property is a vital step when purchasing a property, as it attempts to identify not only structural defects, but also non-structural defects. These defects that are identified by the report will help to gain a better understanding of the current condition of the property.

This is important because it will allow interested property buyers to understand the parameters of submitting a building inspection clause – whereby home sellers are obligated to repair any defects prior selling the property.

building structural defects concrete house inspection

This is an example of the structural defect. A reinforce concrete with a deep crack.

A structural defect can be define as a fault or possible deviation from the intended structural performance of a building element that requires repair to avoid unsafe conditions, loss of utility, or further deterioration of the building structure. This may include ill-fitting doors or windows, a sagging ceiling or a leaking shower would permit the buyer to raise their building inspection clause.

Non-structural defects might include non–load bearing issues such as fire measures or waterproofing in bathrooms.

non-structural defect example pre-purchase house inspection

This is an example of a non-structural defect. The basement drain is not waterproofed.

In addition to categorising these defects, an inspection report can also help to identify other issues before you exchange sales contracts that could prove costly if left unchecked in the long run, including:

  • Crucial non-compliance issues;
  • Items which require maintenance;
  • Potential safety omissions.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE INSPECTION?

A comprehensive pre-purchase building inspection should cover the following:

  • Roof plumbing (viewed from a 6 foot ladder) and roof cover;
  • The roof’s frame;
  • The interior and exterior of ceilings, walls and facades;
  • Under floor areas that can be reasonably accessed and above-ground footings;
  • The interior and exterior of doors and frames;
  • The interior and exterior of windows and frames;
  • Wet areas and cabinets;
  • Retaining walls and fences
  • Patios, balconies, stairs and verandas;
  • Paving, driveway and pool surrounds
  • An overview of the electrics and plumbing;
  • Repairs and maintenance issues which are likely to become due over the coming year;
  • General building defects;
  • Omissions in safety.

WA GOVERNMENT ISSUES WARNING IN WA HOMES

In addition to understanding the condition of the property from pre-purchase house inspection, it is important government enforce compliance. As swimming pools are synonymous with the summer in Australia, this will add another area to consider before purchasing a home.

department-of-mines-industry-regulation-and-safety-logo-dmirs

The DMIRS supports a safe, fair and responsible future for the Western Australian community, industry and resources sector.

The WA Government has recently issued a further warning to WA property owners’ safety precautions to pool gates and the safety of children. It is a requirement by law in WA that in the event of a barrier fence being erected around a private pool, hinges or indents which are attached should not exceed 10mm in depth and should be vertically apart by 900mm.

Pool Hinges WA Safety Compliance

This is a diagram of DMIRS’s pool compliance on hinges or indents – to not exceed 10mm in depth and should be vertically apart by 900mm

With summer approaching us, it is important to remember that domestic swimming pools in our homes are the most common site where drowning incidents occur for children aged 0-5.

Effective building inspections in WA must ensure that children are incapable of using barrier fences as a footing with means to climb that could result in drowning. We urge that you take this into consideration if you are currently in the process of purchasing a new home with a swimming pool this coming summer.

DMIRS gate hinge in private swimming pool safety barriers

This is a snippet of the DMIRS Industry Bulletin 123 regarding pool gate hinges – AS 1926.1

For more information, have a read of the Government of Western Australia Department of mines, industry Regulations and Safety Building and Energy: Industry Bulletin 123

HOW KDD CONVEYANCING CAN HELP YOU

At KDD Conveyancing, we’re property settlement agents Perth residents have trusted for many years. It is within our best interest at heart to ensure you are receiving the best value when purchasing or selling a property.

If you have any queries about what to look out for in your pre-purchase house inspection, contact us on (08) 9296 8717 or reception@kddconveyancing.com.au!