How to Choose a Property Inspector
Property inspections are one of the most important parts of buying a home. Not only can they give you peace of mind that the property you’re interested in is safe and in good condition, but they also can protect you from costly surprises.
Finding a building inspection expert that meets Australian standards and is trustworthy and reliable can be difficult. It’s up to you to be ultra-diligent about who you choose to conduct your inspection.
Selecting an inspector who’s qualified, well-respected and professional can make a world of difference and put you in the best position possible as a buyer. Here are the top criteria you should look for when selecting a property inspector before buying a home.
They offer pest inspections
Pest inspections should never be skipped when getting your home inspected, so make sure this is a service that your chosen inspector offers. Pest infestations often take place out of plain sight, deep in the bones of a building. By the time they become apparent, the damage has already been done.
A combined property and pest inspection will help give you the most comprehensive assessment of a home and expose any nasty surprises. Major pest infestations can cost thousands of dollars to fix, so be sure to make sure your potential home is free of these issues.
Quick turnaround time
A good building inspector will provide you with a thorough inspection report as soon as possible. This will enable you to take as much time as possible to go over the report in detail and make an informed decision you’re comfortable with.
No one wants to be rushed during this process, so you should hope to get your report within about 24 hours of your inspection.
Good reviews
A professional should have plenty of reviews out there, and they should be easy to find. Reviews will not only give you a good idea of how reliable their services are but also their experience levels.
However, make sure to be wary of fake reviews. These are pretty easy to spot and can be identified by their generic and non-specific content.
Experience
An experienced building inspector will know exactly what to look for when inspecting a home and will take no shortcuts in providing you with the most thorough inspection possible.
You’ll also want to make sure they’re experienced in the specific type of inspection that you need. If you want a combined pre-purchase property inspection and a pest inspection, you’ll want someone who’s an expert in both pest tracking and analysis and the construction industry.
They offer a thorough inspection checklist
You need to make sure that your property inspection is detailed and no shortcuts are taken. Putting in the time to do some research and find an inspector that offers a thorough inspection at a competitive price is your best option.
Your property inspector should be looking for:
- Signs of mould
- Roof integrity
- Electrical faults
- Pest infestations
- Roof damage
- Plumbing issues
- Compliance with local council rules and regulations
- Structural integrity of home features (balconies, decks, gates etc)
This is not a complete list, and the intensity of your inspection will also depend on factors such as the size of the home and its history.
Affordable
Finding an appropriate building inspector at an affordable but fair price should be your goal. While you don’t want to cut corners and pay less for an inspector that may lack experience, you also don’t want to overpay.
The cost of your inspection will depend on the size of the property, so do some research beforehand and find the median price for inspections relevant to your size.
Buying a home is one of the biggest life decisions you can make, and it isn’t something you want to regret. Working with an experienced property inspector will help you to avoid financial disaster and make a successful investment in your future.