Buying a home is a major financial commitment. Whether you are a first-home buyer, investor or experienced purchaser, understanding the condition of the property before you commit can help you avoid unexpected repair costs.
A professional building and pest inspection in Melbourne can identify structural concerns, moisture problems, timber pest activity and other defects that may not be obvious during an open inspection.
At Ausgun Building Inspections, we help buyers understand what they may be purchasing before they go unconditional.
1. Hidden Defects Can Be Expensive
A property may look clean and well maintained while still having significant defects.
Fresh paint, renovated bathrooms or new flooring can make a home appear to be in excellent condition, but problems may still exist within other parts of the building.
Common issues we identify during Melbourne property inspections include:
- Structural cracking
- Roof leaks and defective flashing
- Elevated moisture
- Deteriorated shower grout and silicone
- Poor drainage
- Timber deterioration
- Defective doors and windows
- Termite or timber pest activity
Identifying these issues before settlement gives buyers an opportunity to better understand the potential cost of repairs.
2. Structural Cracking Should Not Be Ignored
Cracking is one of the most common concerns we see during pre-purchase inspections.
Not every crack means that a property has a major structural problem. However, the location, width, pattern and extent of cracking should be assessed.
More significant movement can sometimes affect:
- External brickwork
- Internal plaster
- Floor levels
- Doors and windows
- Roof structures
- Foundations
During our inspections, we have seen properties where visible cracking was accompanied by uneven floors and movement around door openings.
Where significant movement is identified, we may recommend further assessment by a qualified structural engineer.
3. Moisture Problems Can Cause Significant Damage
Moisture is another major issue buyers should be aware of.
Bathrooms, showers, laundries, roofs and external walls are common locations where moisture-related problems can occur.
During inspections, we regularly identify issues such as:
- Elevated moisture readings
- Water staining
- Deteriorated silicone
- Cracked grout
- Shower leakage
- Plumbing leaks
- Roof leaks
- Rotting timber
- Moisture-damaged skirting or cabinetry
A minor leak that is ignored can eventually damage plaster, flooring, timber framing and surrounding finishes.
A professional building inspection can help identify visible signs of these problems before you purchase the property.
4. Termites Can Cause Damage Without Being Obvious
Termites can cause serious damage to timber structures while remaining hidden from view.
A timber pest inspection looks for evidence of:
- Active termite activity
- Previous termite damage
- Wood borers
- Timber decay
- Conditions that may increase the risk of termite attack
Even where active termites are not found, an inspector may identify conditions around the property that increase the risk of future timber pest activity.
This may include excessive moisture, poor subfloor ventilation or timber located too close to the ground.
5. An Inspection May Help With Your Purchase Decision
A building and pest inspection does more than simply provide a list of defects.
It can help you understand which problems may require immediate attention and which are considered more minor maintenance issues.
If significant defects are identified, buyers may discuss the findings with their conveyancer, solicitor or buyer’s agent.
Depending on the circumstances and contract conditions, the information may assist with:
- Requesting repairs
- Obtaining repair quotations
- Negotiating the purchase price
- Arranging further specialist inspections
- Reconsidering whether the property is suitable
The cost of an inspection can be small compared with discovering major repairs after settlement.
6. Newer Homes Can Still Have Defects
Some buyers assume that newer properties do not require an inspection.
However, poor workmanship and incomplete construction can occur in both new and established homes.
During inspections of newer properties, common defects may include:
- Poor silicone and caulking
- Defective roof flashing
- Cracking
- Drainage problems
- Doors that do not operate correctly
- Incomplete finishes
- Waterproofing concerns
- Plumbing defects
An independent inspection provides another set of experienced eyes before you take ownership of the property.
7. Real Issues We Commonly Find During Melbourne Inspections
Our inspectors regularly come across defects that buyers may not notice during a normal property viewing.
Examples include deteriorated shower sealants allowing moisture to enter surrounding areas, cracked external brickwork associated with building movement, blocked gutters contributing to water overflow, roof defects allowing moisture entry and elevated moisture readings around bathrooms.
We also regularly identify doors that are difficult to operate, deteriorated external timber, damaged roof mortar and drainage conditions that may direct water towards the building.
These are the types of issues that can easily be overlooked when buyers are focusing on the appearance, layout and location of a property.
When Should You Arrange the Inspection?
Ideally, your building and pest inspection should be completed before you become unconditionally committed to purchasing the property.
For private sales, inspections are commonly arranged during the building inspection condition period.
If you are purchasing at auction, it is generally better to arrange the inspection before auction day because auction purchases are usually unconditional.
Always speak with your conveyancer or solicitor regarding your specific contract conditions.
Book a Building and Pest Inspection in Melbourne
Don’t rely only on what you can see during an open inspection.
A professional pre-purchase building and pest inspection can help you understand the condition of the property and identify defects that may lead to significant repair costs.
Ausgun Building Inspections provides professional building and pest inspections across Melbourne and Victoria for:
- First-home buyers
- Property investors
- Home buyers
- Buyer’s agents
- Property professionals
Buying a property? Contact Ausgun Building Inspections today to arrange your building and pest inspection before you commit.