If you’re in the process of buying a property, that’s a HUGE accomplishment. But before you sign on the dotted line, it’s important to have a professional come in and assess the condition of the property. This is where a Premium Pre-Purchase Inspection comes in.

There are many reasons why you should get a pre-purchase inspection done before buying a property. Here are just a few:

  1. To ensure the property is structurally sound. A pre-purchase inspection will assess the condition of the property’s structure, including the foundation, walls, ceilings, floors, and roof. The inspector will look for any signs of damage or deterioration and make note of any repairs that may be needed.
  2. To check for pest related damage. All over Australia, pests like termites can wreak havoc on properties. A pre-purchase inspection will look for any signs of pest infestation or damage and make recommendations for treatment if necessary.
  3. To identify any safety hazards. The inspector will also look for any safety hazards on the property, such as trip hazards, electrical dangers, or gas leaks.
  4. To check for asbestos. If the property was built before 1989, there’s a chance it contains asbestos insulation or other asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). ACMs can be harmful if they’re disturbed, so it’s important to have them assessed by a trained professional prior to purchase.

Peace of mind knowing that you’re making a well-informed decision about your future purchase.
If any major problems are found during the inspection, you may want to consider renegotiating your purchase price with the seller or walking away from the deal altogether.

Additionally, if any items identified during the inspection need to be repaired or replaced, you’ll have time to factor those costs into your budget before making your final decision about whether to purchase the property.

Download a Sample Report

Download a copy of a Building Inspection report to get an insight into the detailed information we provide, including property conditions, identified issues, and expert recommendations.

Our comprehensive reports consist of the following information:

  • Documentation of major hazards safety hazards, such as structural issues or the suspected presence of asbestos.
  • Documentation of minor defects, such as expected property maintenance
  • Overview on the presence and/or workings of termites or timber pests
  • Review of any present conditions that may attract or assist termite or timber pest infestation
  • Information on the works that may be required to rectify defects or issues
  • Recommendations of appropriate trades to perform necessary works
  • All our reports come with detailed photos describing defects and other potential issues.

Upon booking a Premium Pre-Purchase Inspection, our qualified inspectors are insured to assess the extent of Asbestos contained material on your property. We inspect and assess the evidence of Asbestos (ACM) and its condition, to give you an indication of issues you may face when purchasing the property. We also can consult on the safe removal of Asbestos and providing a clearance certificate following removal if required.

Unlike a basic building inspection, Premium Pre-Purchase Building Inspections identify the presence of termites and other pests, as well as highlighting conditions conducive to future activity. Due to the devastating damage termites can cause, these reports are considered vital in most parts of Australia.

  • If major defects or termite activity is found, our reports provide the knowledge you need to either avoid purchasing the affected property – saving you from stress and financial loss – or assist in negotiating an appropriate price that factors in corrective action that may need to be taken.
  • By obtaining a Jim’s Premium Pre-Purchase Building Inspection, our clients are also able to plan ahead and factor in any additional costs such as maintenance, repairs and future renovations. Due to the popularity and necessity of these inspections, we offer reports combined at a discounted rate – saving you money and helping you to minimize risk.
  • To arrange a quote or a Premium Pre-Purchase Building Inspection for a property, call Jim’s Building Inspections on 131546.

Or book your Premium Pre-Purchase Building Inspection service online. Remember, reports can be delivered within 24 hours of inspection.

Frequently asked questions

When should I get an inspection?

The timing of a building inspection depends on your situation and mostly the method of sale. As the findings of a building inspection report may cause you to withdraw an offer you should always ensure that you are informed of your rights and options. Engage a conveyancer or settlement agent as early as possible.

If you have not already got a conveyancer try Jim’s Conveyancing on 131 546.

AUCTIONS

Organise the inspection prior to the auction date and as early as you can. You may then also be in a position to make a confident and informed offer prior to the auction itself. Many buyers will consider a ‘bird in the hand to be worth two in the bush’.

You should also check out websites like BuySmart and contact the agent to ask if an building inspection has already been completed on the property. Jim’s Building Inspectors often conduct what we refer to as ‘on spec’ building inspections on properties which are going to auction and that they expect to be popular.

We conduct a building inspection on the property but may make the report available to multiple interested parties, often at a more competitive price.

The general risk with ordering a building inspection prior to auction is that you may not be the successful bidder. If this is the case, contact your local Jim’s Building Inspector directly as many offer discounts to assist you where further building inspections on other properties are needed.

However the bigger risk is bidding at auction and winning a property which has not had a building inspection completed may mean your best laid renovation plans and savings go out the door. With up to 1 in 5 homes being subject to termite damage at some point in their life cycle and approximately 1/3 of all homes being sold with a major defect of some type it is not worth skipping the building inspections.

We are obviously biased in this matter but we have also seen too many examples where people have purchased a property and come to us after the auction when they discover that their budget for their new kitchen is now going to go on simply making the property water tight, addressing rising damp or dodgy repair jobs.

PRIVATE OR FIXED DATE SALES and EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

If you are planning to buy a home or any property, to occupy or as an investment, you should make any verbal or written offer conditional on a building and termite inspection at least. You can download our suggested wording options for your offers below.

Generally any wording should indicate that you retain the right to withdraw from the sale without financial penalty should safety hazards or major defects be identified. Also consult your Conveyancer about any local state based requirements for settlement processes and your options.

If you don’t have a settlement agent yet contact: Jim’s Conveyancing on 131 546.

Again, the earlier you place an offer, conditional on your building inspection report, the earlier you can place an offer. In a rebounding market there is often a high degree of competition and many people use Jim’s Building Inspections, as with many inspectors in each city, we can get your inspection done quickly and when you need it.

What areas do we service?

We have inspectors located throughout Australia, including in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory.