Should I get a building and pest inspection?
A building and pest inspection may seem like a lot of money to pay but it is worth every cent if it saves you from buying a dud.
Building and pest inspections typically cost around five hundred dollars but are a vital part of the due diligence process when buying a house. When buying an apartment, a strata inspection report may be more appropriate, depending on the size and construction of the block. Remember though that almost all inspection reports reveal some form of problem, particularly with older properties.
A building and pest report will provide crucial guidance as to the condition of the property you are considering and can be useful in price negotiations, if significant problems are present.
Here are some tips on understanding and responding appropriately when you receive your report:
- Don’t be shocked if your report is in the order of 30 or more pages. That’s normal.
The presence of ‘past termite activity’ should not be viewed as a deal breaker. What is important is the extent of the damage and whether there is evidence that corrective action has been taken. Naturally, if current termite activity is present, this is potentially serious and needs to be fully assessed and dealt with
It is the building inspector’s job to point everything out that he/she sees to ‘cover’ themselves. It’s important you calmly read through the information and understand what it means. - If you have a question, phone the inspector. They will often be happy to discuss their findings and explain their relevance.
- If major faults have been found, discuss these with your real estate agent. It may be possible to negotiate a suitable adjustment to the agreed property purchase price.
- Be realistic. A small range of typical faults may not be fair grounds to renegotiate price