Do I need a pest and building report when buying property?
A pest and building inspection is always necessary when buying a property. It’s equally important to get one regardless of whether you’re buying a new home or a 100 year old mansion – here’s why.
Older homes
All houses must conform to the building code and standards of Australia. If the home does not meet the code, then it’s up to you to bring it up to code - this is a costly process.
In older homes property inspectors will check for structural issues which is incredibly important. Not only could an unsound structure be cause for personal injury, it can be incredibly expensive to repair and replace structural components of the house - this could mean that you have to vacate the property.
Once you have received your building inspection report you may find there are some minor things you’re going to need to repair or replace, or even some things to remove. Knowing upfront what is required and how much it is likely to cost is important.
An electrical inspection will also check existing electrical wiring and smoke alarms to ensure all is in working order and that you’re not likely to experience any fires caused by faulty wiring. If there is a fire, having functioning smoke alarms are essential – make sure yours are in working order.
Older homes are also more likely to have unsafe materials in them, such as asbestos which can cause quite a lot of harm if you and your family are exposed to them. There is always the risk of termite infestation, the damage and costs associated with this can be significant.
There’s a lot that can potentially go wrong with an older building given the complex number of different elements involved in its construction - older buildings are more likely to have things wrong with them due to the wear and tear over time.
Newer homes
A brand-new house should most definitely be up to code. That said, it might be only just up to code.
You should consider a building supervisor working for a high-volume builder, they might be overseeing a number of construction jobs throughout the area. They may simply not have time to pay attention to the finer details.
Common issues in new properties include water damage in wet areas due to leaks and improper waterproofing, incorrect installation of insulation, roof replacements due to leaks and trouble with the slab causing severe structural issues.
The importance of a pest and building report is that the inspector will pick up on these issues and help ensure you avoid any potential pitfalls when buying a relatively new property.
An inspection will also draw attention to any potential risks to the property. For example, a tree planted too close to the home could be a recipe for disaster. An inspection report alerting you to it now, means you can resolve it before it turns into an expensive problem.
Not all inspectors are created equal
When you choose your pest and building inspector get someone who’s going to do a thorough job. Not someone who’s just going to do the bare minimum. For example, a pest inspection is not usually included as standard in a basic building inspection which means you may need to ask for this separately.
Speak to your conveyancing expert before proceeding with signing a private treaty contract of sale, they will be able to recommend reputable inspectors and will also be able to make sure that you are adequately protected via the pest and building clause.
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