Pre-Purchase Inspection- Why It Is Needed & What Includes In It?

Key Fact: “Only 20% of people opt for a pre-purchase home inspection. This is unfortunate considering the amount of money they could have saved on repairs and renovations later on.”

Why Do You Need Pre-Purchase Inspection?

A pre-purchase house inspection is important as it allows one to detect:-

• Both major and minor defects
• Structural defects
• Safety hazards
• And maintenance requirements

There is off-course such thing as the perfect house. Edward Burton:- who performs home inspections in Perth reveals:-

“No house is perfect. In fact, the majority of homes that undergo inspection have major defects, deterioration and rectification requirements...

...Whether its a cracked roof, an extensive internal crack, floor unevenness or even rotten stumps- such inspections help detect each of those veiled flaws.”

Another key aspect about pre-purchase home inspection its property rating from Above-Average, Average or Below Average in sharp comparison to the similar looking and aged homes.

Unless one comes across a property which the owner has maintained fastidiously, getting an Above-Average rating is very difficult, but not unlikely.

Either way, pre-house purchase inspection presents buyers more closure and makes it easy for them to make the right call.

And that’s why it is such an integral aspect of property purchase.

What Pre-Purchase House Inspection Encapsulates?

Starting With identifying the structural defects of the house:-

• Concrete slab foundation
• Timber sub-floor inspection
• Interior and peripheral wall inspection
• Inspecting the affixed balcony stairs and patio structures.
• Checking electrical compliance, particularly smoke detectors and RCD safety switches.

Moving Over To The Interior House Inspection:-

• Inspecting the fence, gate, latch, climbable areas around the safety barriers.
• Checking the ceilings, walls, windows, doors, roller shutters, frames, kitchen cupboard, tiling and plumbing. With that, a comprehensive inspection of hot plates, ovens and range hood.
• Bathroom inspection in which includes toilet, shower, bath, vanity, tiling, ventilation and plumbing aspects. Other inspections include of the exhaust fans and heaters.
• Laundry, tub, cabinet and stairway inspection.
• Checking climate controls like Air con units and refrigerators.

The Peripheral Inspection:-

• Vents, guttering, downpipes, roof covering, garage door inspection, exterior power points and light fixtures.
• Fencing, pool fencing, surface water, retaining walls, paths, driveways and, etc.

In addition to these inspections, reliable property inspectors will also provide timber pest inspections in adherence to (AS 4349.3-2010).

Key Questions To Ask Prior To Pre-Purchase Home Inspection:-

If there is anything more important than a pre-purchase home inspection, it is choosing experienced specialists who perform quality and immaculate property inspections.

To find the right one; one should ask:-

• Whether their pre-purchase inspection (be it basis structural, standard structural and even standard + structural inspection) adheres to Appendix A of AS 4349.1-2007.

• How long have they been in this line of work? Ideally; one should opt for those having lots of field knowledge- something of like 8-10 years of experience.

• How much do they cost for performing pre purchase inspection in Perth? To get a better idea, best compare their rates with 2-3 other similar agencies at par-in-stature.

This will present a clear picture of the standard inspection rates in the market.