Purchasing a property or building a home, using an independent building inspector can offer peace of mind and valuable insights. Let’s explore the different situations where this can be beneficial and when it’s best to do so.
Why should you use an independent building inspector?
An Independent Building Inspector is a second set of experienced eyes there to review and report back on any areas of concern. Reputable inspectors, like ours, will also be current registered builders with years of experience within the industry.
Inspectors should be well versed on current building codes, standards and regulations and can advise accordingly. They know what to look out for, what to avoid and when issues need rectification. They can also often recommend cost effective solutions and trades.
If you are building or having a dispute with a builder, they can also be your advocate when dealing with defects. With years of experience in the industry they speak the language.
After Making an Offer on a Property
If you are buying a home in WA, investing in a building inspection is highly recommended. A Pre-Purchase Inspection is designed to provide buyers with an accurate assessment of a property’s current condition and identify any major structural issues that could impact its value or liveability.
Once you have made an offer on a property and a contract is signed, you can request a building inspection to be performed (unless special conditions are stated in your contractual agreement).
Structural building inspections are common in the standard REIWA Contract, however, they aren’t mandatory. You as the purchaser of the property may need to request one. You can ask your settlement agent or real estate agent if they have any recommended building inspectors or find your own independent inspector like us.
If major structural defects are found during the building inspection, the buyer can request the seller to make repairs or potentially re-negotiate the price. You can visit REIWA’s resources on pre-purchase inspections.
When Building Your New Home
You may think the best time to engage an independent building inspector is at the final handover inspection, however, at this point we can only inspect what we can see. The slab has been built on, the walls have been plastered and the roof cover has gone on. Those areas that could cause concerns years down the track have been covered over.
The best way to control the quality of your build is to start building inspections at the beginning, from slab down. Early involvement allows for comprehensive assessments and rectification before the next stage begins and the trades move on.
Engaging an independent building inspector during the construction process is essential for identifying and addressing issues before your build moves to the next stage. Plus, a building inspector is a handy advocate when managing defect discussions with your builder or construction supervisor throughout your build.
Contact our team to discuss how our Construction Progress Inspections can help you.
Should I inform my builder about my building inspector?
Open communication and mutual understanding of expectations contribute to successful home-building experiences.
When hiring an independent building inspector, it’s wise to let your builder know early. We’ll need to know when your build has reached certain milestones for inspections and to communicate with the supervisor for site visits.
Book a building inspection with us
When making a significant investment, ensure you have all the necessary information.
If you are ready to buy or build a property and want some peace of mind, contact Home Integrity today on 08 6184 5624 or [email protected] to schedule your inspection.
