If you are considering buying a new home, it is important that you find out everything you can about the property before making your final decision to purchase. One of the best ways to do this is by getting a pre-purchase property inspection carried out by an experienced professional. Here’s what you need to know...

What is a Pre-Purchase Property Inspection?
A pre-purchase property inspection is also commonly called a building inspection. The pre-purchase inspection is important as it tells you everything about the condition of a property, including any significant structural defects or faults that may prove costly to repair in the future. This applies to new and older buildings.

Common Building Defects
Many building defects are not visible to the untrained eye, especially in the short time available at an open property viewing. Considering that a home is often the most expensive investment you will make in a lifetime, why leave anything to chance?   Some of the most common local building defects encountered include:

• Termite damage (timber)
• Rising damp
• Unsafe electrical work
• Concrete cancer
• Structurally unsafe walls, foundations etc.

If extensive repairs are required you can use the information contained in your report to try and negotiate a revised price for the property or cancel the process altogether.

Who Carries Out the PrePurchase Property Inspection?
A qualified professional such as a building inspector or building surveyor carry out pre-purchase building inspections. They are completely independent and unbiased.  When choosing your building inspector ensure you determine:

• What report format they use
• If they will provide photographs
• What parts of the building they survey
• What the charge is for compiling the report

Also ensure that your report complies with the relevant standard and that they can complete the inspection and report before you need to make a decision on the sale process.