How to choose a building inspector
Unless you're pretty handy with a hammer, how do you know that the property you are purchasing is structurally sound?
How do you know that you will not be faced with immediate repairs, ones that might not seem apparent when you're negotiating to buy, but soon become obvious when you've lived in the property for two or three months.
A building inspector's job is to thoroughly check the integrity of the building structure and all its components, informing you of necessary or likely repairs in the short or medium term. The inspector should also be able to give you a reasonably accurate estimate of the cost to carry out these repairs. You are then able to negotiate these costs into your offer for the property.
Building inspectors are listed in the Yellow Pages, community newspapers, or they often have flyers posted in public places such as supermarket noticeboards. There is no central, governing body for building inspectors, so if you can get a good referral from a friend, this will definitely help.
Your building inspector has a great deal of responsibility to spot defects and problems with the dwelling structure. Do they have suitable qualifications and experience in a building related industry? Check their qualifications by calling the applicable professional institute if you can.
Ask if the inspection will only cover obvious and visible defects. Many inspectors will not comment on items which are hidden or not immediately obvious such as internal wiring and plumbing. If these areas are suspect, it may be wise to get an electrician or plumber to have a look for you.
Ask to see an example of a previous report from the inspector. Expect a similar standard. You will probably be shown the best one they've got.
A written report from a building inspector can range from $400 to $800. It's well worth the money when you consider what the property is going to cost you and what it might cost you in addition, if you don't know about all those hidden defects.
Some inspectors will provide a walk-through service. You follow them through the house and they will comment on items of interest, necessary repairs, or areas that require further investigation. A good walk-through inspection should take at least 40 minutes, and you can expect to pay around $150 to $250 for this service.
How do you know that you will not be faced with immediate repairs, ones that might not seem apparent when you're negotiating to buy, but soon become obvious when you've lived in the property for two or three months.
A building inspector's job is to thoroughly check the integrity of the building structure and all its components, informing you of necessary or likely repairs in the short or medium term. The inspector should also be able to give you a reasonably accurate estimate of the cost to carry out these repairs. You are then able to negotiate these costs into your offer for the property.
Building inspectors are listed in the Yellow Pages, community newspapers, or they often have flyers posted in public places such as supermarket noticeboards. There is no central, governing body for building inspectors, so if you can get a good referral from a friend, this will definitely help.
Your building inspector has a great deal of responsibility to spot defects and problems with the dwelling structure. Do they have suitable qualifications and experience in a building related industry? Check their qualifications by calling the applicable professional institute if you can.
Ask if the inspection will only cover obvious and visible defects. Many inspectors will not comment on items which are hidden or not immediately obvious such as internal wiring and plumbing. If these areas are suspect, it may be wise to get an electrician or plumber to have a look for you.
Ask to see an example of a previous report from the inspector. Expect a similar standard. You will probably be shown the best one they've got.
A written report from a building inspector can range from $400 to $800. It's well worth the money when you consider what the property is going to cost you and what it might cost you in addition, if you don't know about all those hidden defects.
Some inspectors will provide a walk-through service. You follow them through the house and they will comment on items of interest, necessary repairs, or areas that require further investigation. A good walk-through inspection should take at least 40 minutes, and you can expect to pay around $150 to $250 for this service.
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