Affordable Property Inspections - FAQ
What is a Pre-Purchase Inspection?
Australian Standard AS 4349.1-2007 applies to all residential buildings, including but not limited to, the following:-
- Free standing houses
- Semi-detached houses
- Terrace-style houses
- Home units and flats
- Company, Strata and Community title units
- Villas
- Townhouses and cluster housing
It is a visual inspection only and will depend on the prevailing weather conditions at the time of the appointment.
It will include an assessment on the condition of the following areas but not necessarily in this order:-
- The site
- The exterior of the building
- The roof exterior
- The interior of the building
- The roof space
- The sub or underfloor area
Why do I need a Pre-Purchase Inspection?
Look before you leap!
- So you can be absolutely sure you are not buying trouble.
- No nasty problems to discover after you move in.
- Avoid costly repairs after you have made the biggest commitment of your life that you did not budget for.
- So you can buy with confidence.
- Giving you peace of mind.
- Gain information to improve negotiating power.
When is the best time to have a Pre-Purchase Inspection?
With the exception of properties being purchased at auction, property inspections can be carried out prior to entering into the contract (before exchange of contracts) of in the case of New South Wales, during the “cooling off” period or by such later date as the parties may agree. In the case of New South Wales properties, it is now common for vendors to require purchasers to have the contract explained to them and therefore waive the 5 day cooling off period. Accordingly, the more common approach is for such inspections to be carried out in both ACT and N.S.W. prior to the exchange of contracts. In the case of auctions, the necessary inspections should be carried out prior to the auction date, as the successful purchaser will normally be required to enter into a binding contract upon the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer.
May I attend the inspection?
Yes you can, if you desire but just remember that the owner can be present, which may be uncomfortable for all parties concerned and it is best for the inspector not to be distracted. However, if you wish to attend, we will try our best to fit into your time frame.
How long does an inspection take?
An Affordable pre-purchase inspection of an average home, up to 110 sqm (12squares)(a square is approx 9.25 sqm) can take up to 2 hrs, depending on the condition of the property to accurately document all the defects in all areas of the property, but we have no set time frame for an inspection.
What does the report consist of?
The report consists of a fully documented critical look at the property, detailed on a specially developed form that complies with the Australian Standard AS 4349.1-2007 for residential building inspections. The report is set up on an Ultra mobile computer which ensures that we don’t miss anything and may contain digital photos to better explain any problems that we find rather than trying to explain them over the phone.
How long does it take to receive the written report?
The report will be ready the next day if you have a fax machine or e-mail address. The original copy, photos and invoice will be posted shortly after. We can also e-mail the report directly to your solicitor, if you wish. We are always available to discuss the findings in the report with you, the client, but the report always remains confidential and we will not discuss the findings with any other parties without your prior written consent.
What is your availability?
Most good and reliable full time inspectors are booked 2 to 3 days in advance, so when you are about to make your offer, please give yourself 5 to 7 business days allowing for the inspection to be completed and the report received. However, we will ensure your inspection is booked in and completed as soon as possible.
Are you Insured ?
Yes we have full workers compensation and also carry Professional Indemnity Insurance.
A copy of the Certificates of Insurance can be supplied on request.
