A building inspection is usually performed before purchasing a property. The primary purpose of a building inspection is to detect potential problems in the building and offer an expert’s advice on the construction’s overall condition.
Although you pay a hefty amount to get a thorough inspection done, certain areas of the property are left uninspected.
With the help of a Pre-purchasing building inspector by your side, you may be able to negotiate the property’s price.
Here are areas that are usually not inspected during a building Inspection.
- Everything behind the walls and ceiling.
While inspectors can access everything that can be seen, things hidden by ceiling, walls or heavy furniture are often missed during an inspection. Checking the condition of concealed electrical wiring, plumbing, framing of the building, gas fitting, and drainage is simply impossible.
One of the easiest ways to check the wiring, plumbing, drainage, etc., is to check if the related appliances work well.
- The carpet area and layout of the rooms.
If you are planning to accommodate your old furniture into the rooms of your new property, think again!
The Inspector does not include checking if your existing furniture will fit in the rooms.
However, prior to hiring a Building Inspector, you may get the exact carpet area in the property sale posting. You can make your decision based on that.
You may have even created a checklist of things you need to move in your new property, so hopefully, you do not need a building inspector for that.
- Pools.
A Building Inspector does not inspect the pool in the inspection. Instead, it is recommended to hire a pool inspector to inspect the pool.
It is necessary to conduct pool inspections, especially if you have kids. Pools can be dangerous if the proper safety standards are not met.
In the pool inspection, the Inspector will check the pool’s shell, fencing and pool equipment.
- Other restricted areas and open fireplaces.
Inspectors generally avoid inspection areas that might pose a safety hazard to them. This might include a floor with broken glass or nails sticking out, an unsafe area, an area with loose or broken asbestos or a roof void with foil insulation, etc.
Only areas with easy access are inspected. They also do remove screw bolts or drill holes in the construction for inspection. Such actions can be seen as invasions and are strictly prohibited.
Moreover, Chimneys, saunas, in-built fire areas will be included in the inspection only if you pose a special request and pay for it.
- Home Appliance and Accessories.
Some properties are sold with built-in dishwashers, oven, air conditioner, InSinkErator, ducted vacuum and rangehood. The inspection does not check if these appliances are functioning or not.
Some houses also have an Alarm system, CCTV cameras, fire and smoke detectors, an intercom system, television reception, and lawn watering systems that are not covered in the inspection.
Before you hire a pre-purchase building inspector, make sure you check out home building inspections in Melbourne!