Why Skipping a Building Inspection Could Cost You Big

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of purchasing a new property. Unfortunately, this wave of enthusiasm can lead to decisions that you ultimately regret down the line. Here are some sobering facts featured in a recent ABC article. According to Australian Housing and Urban Institute research, more than two-thirds of existing Australian properties are estimated to have building issues.

This is why organising a visit from a reliable building inspector is so valuable. An independent inspector will be able to see past the fresh coat of paint and shining LED lights to uncover any problems that could end up costing you big in the long term.

Throughout the article, we’ll touch on the dangers of skipping an inspection, as well as highlight just how beneficial this process can be for any property purchase. Let’s begin!

The Dangers of Forgoing a Building and Pest Inspection in Melbourne

Both new builds and renovated properties can look great at first glance, but beneath the surface, they could be masking a number of issues. As a buyer, the question you really have to ask is this; is it worth risking it all and skipping the building inspection process?

As we’ll cover below, there are many pitfalls that come with this approach. Here are some of the aspects you either might miss or find yourself dealing with after the settlement is signed.

Faulty Water, Electrical and Gas Systems

Whether you’re buying to live, work or invest, functional utilities are essential to every Australian property. Water, gas, and electrical systems all need to be installed in very specific ways to keep them working safely–and this is one of the critical areas that an inspection will cover.

Small issues like your appliances not functioning correctly, to more dangerous ones like gas and water leaks or electrical fires. Fortunately, you can prevent safety issues and future repairs with the help of an independent building inspection.

Issues with Insurance Claims

Another common issue faced by people who skip the inspection phase concerns insurance claims. If you’ve purchased a property and the settlement is final, and you then uncover serious issues after the fact, you will not be covered by insurance for any future claims.

Without adequate insurance coverage, covering these repair costs can become a monumental challenge. Fortunately, a building inspection gives you direct evidence and insight into any existing defects, be it decaying wall frames or serious foundational issues.

An inspection will also include a report that clearly details any defects or concerns, giving you all the information required to make an informed investment. 

Termite Infestations and Related Structural Damage

If the property has a wooden frame or panelling, foregoing a pest inspection can be a serious misstep. Termite infestations are often difficult to find with an untrained eye, and their activity could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair, as well as a lot of time and stress on your behalf.

By using thermal imaging and chemical barriers like Termidor, pest inspectors are able to uncover whether or not any subterranean termites are present. Termidor is an environmentally safe treatment for plants, animals and humans, and only takes between four to six hours to apply. 

Compare this to the time and money it will take to repair termite damage, and a pest inspection will always come out on top as the smart and affordable choice.

Need to organise a building and pest inspection in Melbourne? Reach out to Inspect 365 today!

Poorly Fitted Doors, Windows and Insulation

Even small things in a home, like a window not closing evenly or a door getting stuck whenever you try to open it, may not seem like much at first. However, these small annoyances can all leave you footing the bill of higher-than-expected heating and cooling costs.

This is all because of insulation. Doors and windows play an important role in keeping very hot or cold air from outside entering your home, which allows you to use your heating or cooling systems to bring your property to the desired temperature quickly. However, if these aren’t opening or shutting properly, it will create a gap that air can flow through, ruining your insulation and causing your HVAC systems to work harder for longer, spiking your energy bills across summer and winter.

Accusations of Damage That Aren’t Your Fault

Inspections aren’t only valuable for prospective buyers and investors–they’re also important for anyone in the construction industry.

Are you a construction worker? If you’re building a property that is nearby other buildings, you run the risk of being accused of damaging the surrounding homes or shops if you don’t invest in a dilapidation stage report. 

These reports will identify and document all existing wear and damage to properties surrounding your worksite before any construction has started. By documenting all pre-existing damage, you will be protected against accusations of damage that you didn’t cause.

These reports are also useful for residents living next to construction sites, as you can use them to document any damage that is caused by builders, making it easy to get repairs under your insurance that are paid for by the construction company. 

The report you receive should be clearly time-stamped to precisely document any findings from the inspection. It’s also a good idea to follow up with a post-construction survey to finish.

What Can a Building Inspection Involve?

It’s important to understand that there are a variety of different types of building inspections, each of which has their own specific area of focus. These include:

• Pre-purchase building inspections: If you’re purchasing a property to live in or for your business purposes, getting it checked out by an inspector means you’ll be aware of any potential issues before you hand over your money to buy it, not after to fix them! If damage or issues are found before you buy, then this may affect how much you need to pay for the property. 

As a booming property sector, a pre-purchase building inspection in Melbourne is always a good idea.

• Pest inspections: Termites are an invisible pest that often go unseen until it is too late, and can cause great damage to the innermost structures of wooden homes. A quality pest inspection can discover the minute signs of termites in your property quickly. 

You can combine a building and pest inspection in Melbourne to get a detailed inspection that covers every aspect of your property.

• Dilapidation stage reports: If there are construction works happening near a property, a dilapidation stage report can be used to show whether or not these works have caused any damage to it. 

These reports should be ordered by builders or developers, councils, homeowners, and neighbours of a site before any construction work begins. This inspection is designed to protect both the builders and homeowners from costly future legal battles.

• Construction stage inspections: The inspector will evaluate everything from the blueprints and earth underneath the site of the slab of a property to its frame, guttering and roof. 

If you want to know your new property has been built 100% to code, this is the service to choose.

• Building dispute defect reports: Is your new building facing problems, like doors that won’t close or newly cracked plaster? This report makes mediating with your builder easy and can help you either reach a mutually agreeable position or support your claim in court.

Make sure to check your contract to find out the expiry date on reporting defects to your builder. Specific time frames apply for this, and are outlined in the VBA’s Rectification of Building Work Policy.

Most building inspections (including a pre-purchase inspection or pest inspection) will usually only take between 1-2 hours, and will involve an inspector arriving at the site and performing a series of checks across the property. These checks on the floor, walls and ceiling will look for the presence of damage caused by shifting earth, water, exposure and pests like termites. 

After the inspection is complete, your inspector will create a detailed report for you to look over, which will include photographs. You can also ask the inspector any questions about what they have discovered, and what further steps need to be taken depending on their findings.

Do you need a house or commercial inspection in Melbourne? Inspect 365 can provide targeted inspection services independent from the influence of realtors or builders.

Safeguard Your Investment with a Building Inspection in Melbourne

The best way to prevent a dodgy build, accidental damages during construction, or the unwelcome surprise of termites is to book the right inspection with a trusted expert. And in Victoria, that expert is Inspect365.

Whether you’re a construction company, a property investor, or buying your first home, we are the team to trust with your building inspections. We can discover any defects (or the potential for one), then provide you with the best actions to take to repair it, as well as how much it will cost you. 

In the past 25 years, we have encountered just about every possible defect or problem in the construction industry–our team of licensed commercial and residential building assets, carpenters and timber pest inspectors have carried out thousands of inspections across the city.

When you need a home or commercial building inspection in Melbourne, call Inspect 365 on 1300 000 442 or send us an enquiry online using our form.