Buying a home is such a big financial investment and emotional commitment. You want to be sure you’re making the right decision. It’s easy to fall in love with the kerbside appeal and style of the home and believe, ‘This is the home I want!’. We all know that line, ‘love can be blind’.
It’s at this point where you need an independent, experienced, and licensed professional who will provide a thorough report on the status of your soon-to-be home.
There are many aspects of a property that can have issues that walkthroughs can’t pick up. For example, the roof, roof cavity, and crawl space (if applicable) are just a few where you need someone to physically check those areas.
A building inspector is seeing properties day-in day-out so he is experienced in seeing defects or potential problems. Engaging a qualified building inspector who is licensed with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is essential. Our lead building inspector, David Donnan is licensed and so is our company. See details on our About Page.
At Twinspectors, we are unique in that we send TWO inspectors to every pre-purchase building and pest inspection. One dedicated for the building and one for the pest aspect. You don’t have to contact two different companies to get a complete building and pest inspection. Just one phone call is all it takes to achieve the most thorough building and pest inspection on the market. The exact thing you need to make an informed decision.
Two Inspectors onsite for every Pre-purchase Building and Pest inspection.
Also, each inspector creates their own report. These reports are emailed the same day as the inspection after payment has been made.
Here are some key aspects that we inspect or are checking for:
- Roof
- Roof Cavity
- Crawl Space (if applicable)
- Mould
- Rising Damp
- Foundation Issues
- Driveway
- Evidence of Water Leaks
- Evidence of Pest Infestation Either Past or Present -especially looking for termites
CASE STUDY
Here is an example of why it became providential for our client that they had booked a pre-purchase building and pest inspection.
When our client signed a contract to buy a property at Algester, wisely they included a clause that the purchase was subject to a building and pest inspection.
With two inspectors on-site at the Algester property, they unearthed termite damage. There were no obvious signs of termite damage to internal walls, skirtings, architraves, door frames, or window frames. Yet, there was termite damage and ‘mudding’ to internal wall frames.
Extensive ‘mudding’ created by termites
To explain the term, ‘mudding’. Termites build mud tunnels to travel through safely to and from their food source – timber. This is to protect themselves from predators and keep them cool. The longer their inhabitation, the bigger the network of mud trails.
How did the inspectors discover the mud trails? By thumping the internal walls and hearing the mud trails dislodge.
Timber structure eaten out by termites.
When checking the roof void and lifting the insulation, there was further evidence of termite damage.
This is just one example of why it’s important to have a pre-purchase building and pest inspection.
Our client was quite concerned about the termite damage our inspectors discovered. None of this was evident during the walkthrough so the money spent on the inspection certainly paid for itself.
It is worth noting that even with the discovery of termites on a property it doesn’t have to mean you automatically have to cancel the contract. Termites can be treated and eradicated.
Our sister company, Defence Pest Management can take care of the treatment and eradication process. It may take months of regular checks to ensure the baiting of termites has been fully successful but our pest technicians are diligent and thorough with this process.
OPTIONS FOR THE BUYER
Having the inspection reports in hand, our client had a number of options:
- Renegotiate the purchase price
- Request that the seller remedy the damage before settlement. That will more than likely extend the settlement date.
- Cancel the contract and keep house hunting.
Having detailed inspection reports in hand, the buyer (our client) could make a very sound decision on which option to take. Certainly, in terms of negotiating the purchase price down, the buyer was in the box seat. The real estate agent acting for the seller is cognisant they have to disclose to any potential new buyers the property has termite damage should the seller choose not to negotiate. Yeah, not a good selling point for the property, and a bit of a challenge to put a positive spin on that ‘feature’!
If you are in the market for a new property, the best thing you can do is organise a pre-purchase building and pest inspection.
QUOTE FOR PRE-PURCHASE BUILDING AND PEST INSPECTION
To obtain a quote for a pre-purchase building and pest inspection, this can be done in less than a minute online any time convenient for you. Also, you’re welcome to call 1300 304 145 during business hours and obtain a quote and book an inspection.
Our service area includes Brisbane, Redlands, Logan City, Gold Coast North, Ipswich and Moreton Shire Region.