Buying a home or conducting any transaction based around property can be a daunting process. Not all of us are experts in construction or the fabric of residential and domestic dwellings which is why it is always beneficial to get the experts involved.
It is not always possible to ascertain the condition of a property from a cursory visual check as some problems are adept at hiding themselves. If you believe that you’re in need of assistance, this article will highlight the different types of survey and inspection available to you, helping you to choose the right one.
What is a Building Inspection?
The phrase building inspection is just a catch all term for any type of survey that you could have carried out to a commercial or residential property. The idea is that these surveys will uncover the true health of any building by going beneath the surface and looking for signs of specific problems.
These problems could be anything from the presence of subsidence which has the ability to impact a buildings foundations and underground drainage systems, to the root causes of a serious damp problem.
Pre-Purchase Structural Inspection Report
The most important time to be carrying out any type of building inspection is when buying a new property. If the property is old and was constructed decades ago, there is a significant chance that the overall condition of the property may have deteriorated due to several different factors.
These factors could be anything from poor workmanship to the effects of severe weather conditions. A pre-purchase structural inspection will;
- Identify any structural defects present which could exist within a buildings envelope, which consists of the walls and the roof to any defects present to a structures foundation.
- These defects can be identified by looking for tell-tale signs such as non-superficial cracking to external elevations.
- The report compiled will detail all defects identified and suggest how they could be overcome as well as the likelihood of them getting worse.
Termite and Pest Inspections
The type of pests that dwell within a home can be a major cause for concern. Termites or wood louse have a nasty habit of consuming large amounts of timber. The same timber that your roof is constructed from.
A comprehensive pest inspection will seek out the presence of these pests and provide advice on how to remove them.
Single Item Problem Solving
You will sometimes be able to tell when there is definitely something not quite right with your property. If you can’t quite put your finger on the cause, a problem solving inspection is for you. Here, the symptoms will be investigated further to outline the cause of the issue and provide a remedial solution.
Hire a Building Inspector
There is no better time than the present to rectify the problems that you have within your home. If you’re located in Western Australia, building inspections in Perth and the surrounding boroughs will assist you in all of your home related troubles. We would suggest making contact with a surveyor’s firm to find out the best way to proceed.
The quicker you solve the problems within your home, the quicker you can get back to enjoying it.