Builders & Renovations FAQs
What are building inspections?
Looking to buy a property?
Don’t make a property purchase decision until you get a complete building inspection report.
What is a building inspection report?
A building inspection report, can also be called a pre-purchase inspection report, provides a detailed assessment of a building . The report provides comprehensive information about any structural defects, damages and safety hazards in the property. With the help of this report, you can decide whether you should buy the property or negotiate a lower price. A positive building inspection report will give you complete peace of mind ensuring you won’t have to spend extra money on improvement costs and repairs in the future.
Who can do building inspections?
Building inspections can be done by individuals licensed with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission. In Queensland, only licensed individuals can conduct building inspections, unlike other Australian states. Building inspectors can conduct building, pest, and swimming pool inspections.
- Building inspectors need to hold a low-rise builders license for at least 5 years.
- They also need to undertake a building inspection course and get a license for residential building inspection.
- Inspectors must hold professional indemnity insurance.
Why are building inspections important?
- The building inspection report can tell you the potential problems so you can have an idea of how much you would have to spend for repairs or renovation work.
- Building inspectors have the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience to carry out inspections. Their expert eye and review methods will spot issues most unexperienced people would probably miss. Also, they are not emotionally invested in the property purchase (like many home buyers can be) and can provide an unbiased opinion on whether the property is worth the asking price or not.
- It will leverage your negotiating power - whether you are a buyer or a seller - a positive or negative building inspection report can put you in a better position so you can make a wise investment decision.
What is evaluated in the building inspections?
- Building structure and if it conforms to the national construction code
- Safety hazards
- Water
- Shed
- Patio
- Walls - interior and exterior
- Bathrooms and toilets
- Laundry
- Garage or carport
- Retaining walls (non-structural)
- Stairs
- Fences and paths
- Roofs
- Gutters and downpipes
What is NOT covered in building inspections?
- Electrical wirings
- Plumbing fixtures
- Gas fittings
- Drainage systems
- Appliances like an oven, air conditioner, dishwasher, stove-top
- Accessories like security cameras, smoke detectors, alarm systems
- Size of the rooms
- Termites (We recommend getting pest and building inspection done together so the property is examined for pest damage as well)
What is included in the building inspection report?
- Your name
- Inspection address and date of inspection
- Summary of findings
- Areas inspected
- Defect Assessment
- Internal and External Assessment
What to consider before you hire a building inspector?
The things to look out for before you hire an inspector include the following:
- Credentials - Are they licensed and insured?
- Years of experience
- Sample building inspection reports
- Reviews from the previous clients
