Australian Institute
    of Building

EXPRESS BUILDING & PEST INSPECTIONS
Phone: 02 9580 7300
Mobile: 0417 277 724
Email philexp@optusnet.com.au

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Building, home and unit pre-purchase inspections and reports in Sydney 

Pre-purchase Building inspection  

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP !

As of 1st January 2004 Building Consultants (in New South Wales) are required by law
to be licensed to carry out pre-purchase building inspections in NSW.

Buying a property is a big decision, it is important to make an  informed decision before you decide to  purchase !

What is a pre-purchase Building  inspection report?

A pre-purchase building inspection is an inspection that is done prior to purchasing a property. The report should comply with  the Australian standard 4349.1 as amended.
Sometimes referred to as a standard property report, a pre-purchase property inspection report is a written account of the condition of a property. It will tell you about any significant building defects or problems such as Rising Damp, movement in the walls (cracking), safety hazards or a faulty roof to name a few. It is usually carried out before you exchange sale contracts so you can identify any problems with the property which, if left unchecked, could prove costly to repair.

MAIN ADVANTAGES OF PRE-PURCHASE REPORTS

Be informed on the state of the property
Negotiate a better purchase price
Professional advice on future maintenance

Who can do a building inspection?

Effective 1 January 2004, only building consultants licensed under the Home Building Act 1989 are permitted to carry out pre-purchase inspections of residential properties in NSW.

Our combined pre-purchase building and timber pest inspection report is  27  pages and complies with the  Australian Standard 4349.1 and 4349.3 as amended.
The combined building and timber pest reports contain all the information you will need  to make an informed decision about your purchase.

Building Defects Identified

The main structural elements of the building  inspected and reported on are

Roof  external

Checking the present condition of the roof cover to ensure full water-tight capabilities

Roof internal

Checking the internal roof void for leaks, loose roof tiles. Leaking roof frames are a favored nesting sites for foraging termites often resulting in serious structural damage, a thorough examination of physical accessible areas are carried out

 

Masonry Walls
 

Rising damp


Rising damp can cost thousands of dollars to repair as not only does the damp course need to be replaced, but also the salt impregnated plastered surfaces.
see further comments on rising damp in the articles section

Cracking

Cracking is carefully assessed to ensure that cracks of a serious and alarming nature are identified and appropriate actions recommended

External Cracking

The visual evidence can often be just the tip of the iceberg and a further investigation is required to fully quantify the risks.

Wet areas

Wet areas, bathrooms, laundries are assessed  for potential leaks that may damage adjoining rooms.  A leaking shower can  also increase the risk of termite attack.

Sub floor

Inadequately ventilated sub floor areas can  create an ideal nesting site for termites. This illustration shows an active termite lead in the sub floor void. The termites housed within the lead are free to move from the soil up the lower masonry walls without detection. Eventually gaining access into the timber floor and roof areas. Termites can cause extensive structural damage in a relatively short period of time.

Landscape elements

Paths and Driveways

Cracked driveways and retaining walls can cost thousands of dollars to rectify.  These items are  assessed and commented upon in your report. Cracked uneven paths can also pose a potential safety hazard.

Drainage

Mossy paths often indicate poor site drainage, this  can lead to failure of the footings and foundations.  Excessive moisture in and around buildings can also encourage termite activity.

Garages and Out buildings

Garages are inspected and assessed for structural stability

Verandah and Patios

"Concrete cancer", a swelling and breaking of concrete as a consequence of a chemical reaction