It’s the best time to get a building inspection.
New Year means different things to different people. For some people, New Year is about being better than the year that was. To others, it is an opportunity to start over. For owners of homes and buildings, property managers, and real estate professionals, New Year can mean starting the year right with a building inspection.
What is a building inspection?
Inspections of buildings involve professional inspectors conducting a thorough survey of a house or property. During a property inspection, the inspector checks the exterior and interior of the house or building to know the structure’s overall condition. Other parts that are inspected may include the roofing systems and sub-flooring, as well as aspects of the building that could affect its safety and structural integrity, like the walls. If there are issues and defects in the building, the inspector is expected to be able to identify them.
After the survey, inspectors give a written and detailed account of the property’s condition, specifically the property’s defects. The report should provide the building owner with an idea of the work that needs to be done to rectify the issues and prevent them from worsening.
What are the types of inspection services available?
The most popular type of inspections are pre-purchase and pre-sale building inspections. This is when potential buyers hire the services of a professional to determine the condition of the property they are about to buy or sell.
Other types of building inspections are construction progress inspections, rental inspections, property condition inspections, and pest inspections. These inspection services identify the building’s condition, although their specific purposes are somewhat different.
For example, construction progress inspections are done to check whether the ongoing construction of the building is compliant with or follows the plans and specifications of the building.
Rental inspections are conducted to determine whether the tenants are keeping the leased properties in good condition. If there are maintenance issues that require urgent action, rental inspections can also address them.
Property condition inspections are usually conducted to examine the present condition of a property.
Lastly, pest inspections check if pests such as rodents and cockroaches inhabit a particular house or building.
Why conduct inspections at the start of the year?
Of course, property inspections can be done at any time of the year. Still, it is always better to know the condition of a property at the beginning of the year for the following important reasons:
1. To address the issues as soon as possible
Any building could get damaged over time. This means that property owners should have their properties regularly inspected to ensure that issues on the building will be addressed as soon as possible. A responsible property owner or manager is proactive in that the solutions are already in place, even before there is a problem or before the problem gets worse.
2. To know the true and current condition of the building
It is best to have a building inspection at the start of the year for those who want to know the current condition of their properties. These include real estate agents, landlords, and property managers. Usually, there is still a budget for repairs when it is just the beginning of the year, which means repairs can be done immediately.
3. To identify defects and maintenance issues
As mentioned above, property inspections can uncover defects in the building. Professional inspectors can easily identify defects like structural cracking, leaking showers, and even paint overruns that cannot be identified or seen by property owners or managers.
4. To know whether to put the property up for sale
If sellers know that their buildings are not compliant with building standards or have defects, they can undertake repairs or renovation before putting up the property for sale.
5. To address tenant issues for property managers or real estate agents
Having a building inspection at the start of the year means they will be able to address possible issues that could be raised by tenants and their clientele.
6. To eradicate pests
Pests in the building are one of the worst things that can happen to property owners. Ensure that there are no cockroaches, termites, rodents, and other vermin living in the building by getting an inspection done at the start of the year. If pests are identified, the problem can be immediately addressed, and the building owner will not have to deal with the problem for the rest of the year.
How to have a building inspection
Ready to have your building checked by a professional building inspector? Before deciding to have a property inspection, make sure that those who inspect the property have the proper experience and credentials to conduct building inspection. The inspector should be able to provide a list of their past clients and contact information. This way, the building owner can verify from these clients whether or not they are satisfied with the services provided by the inspector.
Aside from relevant experience in the field of inspection, check if the company has proof of certification and training. Starting the year right with property inspection also means choosing the right company to do a thorough survey of the property. There are plenty of building inspectors in Australia, check their credibility before hiring their services is crucial.
A good practice is to interview the potential inspector. It is always better safe to ask than be sorry later. Make sure to ask questions like:
- How long will the building inspection take?
- Will a written report be provided?
- What is contained in the report?
- When will the report be given?
- How much does it cost to hire the company?
- Is the building or homeowner allowed during the inspection?
- What other services does the company provide?
- Are the company qualified?
- Does the company have positive reviews to attest to the quality of their services?
If you are in the Sydney area, Vital Building Inspections Sydney is committed to giving you a clear picture of the condition of your property at the start of the year and all year round. We have over 18 years of experience when it comes to the building industry. When it comes to inspection, whatever type of building it is, we give our clients a detailed and full report about the condition of their property. Contact us now for a free quote! Call 0401 012 074 or request a FREE quote here today.
