It is important to understand what is generally included and excluded in a building inspection service. Jim’s Building Inspection works hard to understand what type of property you are purchasing.
Factors that influence which building inspections we would recommend include:
• The location of the property
• It’s age
• General condition (well or poorly maintained)
• Your plans (in terms of renovation or rebuilding)
• The type and condition of essential utilities like electrical, plumbing and gas
• Additional features such as pools
• Any particular concerns you have from your preliminary inspection
Your inspection options then include building inspection services like:
• Building and Pest Inspections; we use Jim’s Pest Control
• Electrical Inspections
• Plumbing and Gas Inspections
• Pool Fence Inspections; we use Jim’s Fencing
Jim’s Building Inspections offers packages of building inspections that will help ensure you have all the information you need to make a decision.
It is important that you are aware of the Ins and Outs of standard building inspections.
Building Inspections – The Ins and Outs
The ins and outs of building inspections are set by the Australian Standard 4349.1 – 2007. Most companies and inspectors follow this building inspection standard as a means of ensuring the quality and consistency of their reporting.
However, you need to be aware of the ‘Ins and Outs’ of this Standard to ensure you know what is included and excluded from your Standard Building Inspection Report.
Keep in mind our other building inspection services, which allow you to put the Outs back In!
| Ins | Outs |
| The bits we can see, we need about 600mm clearance under floors and around objects to safely inspect. | Too High? Over 3m it won’t be inspected, unless you make prior arrangements for secured ladders and fall prevention devices. |
| Minor defects: Any item requiring regular repairs and maintenance which is common to homes of a similar age or type. | Compliance with Building Regulations, any Act, ordinance, local laws or by-laws. |
| Major defects: Any internal or external primary load-bearing building element which seriously affects the structural integrity of the property. | Assessments of buildings under construction. |
| Urgent Safety Hazards: A defect of sufficient degree where repairs need to be carried out without undue delay to avoid: unsafe conditions or further substantial deterioration of the property, or where it’s no longer fit for use. | Explanation or investigations of titles, ownership matters, easements, covenants, restrictions, zoning and other legal issues. |
| Subjective and objective opinion: A report includes objective observations and some subjective statements of opinion. From time to time, different building inspectors may come to different conclusions about the type and degree of defects. | Common or adjacent property in strata or company title units. You should get additional advice about what you will be required to pay the body corporate for the maintenance of common areas. |
| Comparison to a building of a similar age and type. | Identification of unauthorised or non-compliant building work. |
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Worried about the Ins and Outs?
What can you do?
- Add on the other services we provide to meet your specific needs e.g: plumbing, gas, electrical, termite, pool fence, asbestos or invasive inspections, etc.
- Allow about 5% of the purchase price of the home as a buffer against unexpected defects in inaccessible areas
Conclusion
Understanding the inclusions and exclusions of a building inspection is crucial for making informed property decisions. While standard inspections cover visible and accessible areas, they have limitations, such as not assessing hidden elements or compliance with regulations. To gain a comprehensive understanding of a property’s condition, consider additional specialised inspections tailored to your concerns. This proactive approach ensures you are well-informed and can make confident decisions regarding your potential investment.
FAQs
Areas may be inaccessible due to obstructions or safety concerns, or they may require specialised knowledge and equipment beyond the scope of a general inspection.
Absolutely. You can request specialised inspections for areas like plumbing, electrical systems, or pest infestations to gain a more detailed understanding.
The inspector will provide a report detailing the findings. You can then decide whether to negotiate repairs, adjust your offer, or reconsider the purchase.
While it can’t prevent future issues, an inspection can identify current problems, allowing you to address them proactively.
Yes, there are various types, including pre-purchase, pre-sale, and specialised inspections for specific concerns like pests or structural integrity.
Review the findings carefully, discuss them with your real estate agent or attorney, and decide on the next steps based on the information provided.