What are the reasons and benefits for getting a pre-purchase building inspection done in Victoria? Does such a report provide me with a fully comprehensive property history, such as overlays, past permits issued, etc? We’ve provided the details of a Pre-purchase Building Inspection quite comprehensively (in-depth guide) and the resultant benefits. For any property you are considering buying it is just the important first step among a number of things you can do to check not just the building’s integrity but any intended property’s full back-history.
A Pre-purchase Inspection is a VITAL first step to ensure your safety and peace of mind and protect both you and your money. Realistically, an inspection may end up saving you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run and save you from lots of stress as well!
There are many reasons for getting a Pre-purchase Building Inspection done in Victoria. Mainly, this type of report will provide you with the key information you need to know about any existing faults and help determine how much repairs might then cost you, by:-
- Identifying any structural issues: A building inspection can uncover any potential structural issues with the property, such as foundation problems, roof damage, and cracking to external walls. If there are any concerns about structural changes you might want to make or renovation ideas, a building inspector can potentially give an estimate of costs.
- Identifying any structural issues: A building inspection can uncover any potential structural issues with the property, such as foundation problems, roof damage, and cracking to external walls. If there are any concerns about structural changes you might want to make or renovation ideas, a building inspector can potentially give an estimate of costs.
- Ensuring compliance with building codes: An inspection by a VBA-registered builder can determine whether the property complies with building codes and regulations, ensuring that it is safe and habitable.
- Identifying potential dangers: Inspections can identify any safety hazards within the property, such as potential failures of balconies/decking, faulty electrical switches, and drainage and plumbing issues.
- Revealing any additions or modifications that may be illegal and/or sub-standard: Better to know up front of any unauthorised renovations and/or extensions rather than get involved in legalities later on.
- Assist in negotiating a better price: Knowing the condition of the property can help you negotiate a better price with the seller if any issues are found during the inspection.
- Giving peace of mind as part of your risk management: A building inspection can provide reassurance by giving you a clear understanding of the property’s condition before undertaking negotiations and/or committing to purchase.
Whilst you might be tempted to do it yourself, there are a few critical factors to consider. In any case, the cost of a building inspection is not expensive in comparison to the purchase price of the property, so you would be well advised to spend a few hundred dollars to give yourself greater peace of mind before buying. Considering property values, an independent inspection is a small price to pay for that reassurance. Plus, once you’ve decided to arrange a Pre-purchase Inspection with Houspect, we’re there for you, providing continued advice and support even after sending through your report.
I want to be fully informed if I’m considering buying a particular property. Where can I source the information I need about other aspects such as past permits, etc, to get the full picture about a property? Are there any particular sources or websites that have this information?
To even be considering a particular property to buy, you will have already determined whether it fulfils the ‘3Fs’ – friends, family and facilities. Does it meet your ideal lifestyle and location criteria with proximity (within 2 to 5kms) to schools, shopping centres, cafes, public transport, recreational and cultural facilities, walkable neighbourhood, and a sense of community – before you get right down to the nitty-gritty of building specifications and past history. So, research your local area. Then do some more research…
Does the house layout fit your needs as is or will it need work? Does the property have good natural light, north-facing living areas or garden, parkland nearby, off-street parking, adequate fencing, heating, cooling, hot water, water pressure, internet access, etc? You can observe some of these things yourself, or ask the real estate agent for this information, bearing in mind that if any of these elements are amiss or in need of an upgrade, they can impact price negotiations and, potentially, the final property price.
It’s important to gather as much information as possible before making a property purchase to ensure that you are making an informed decision. A pre-purchase building inspection and report typically does not provide historical information on aspects such as any past building permits issued, as this information would need to be obtained separately from the local council or relevant authorities. However, in some cases, our building inspectors may be able to provide general advice on permits and compliance issues. Buildings must conform to the Building Codes and Standards of Australia, which means if you purchase a home that doesn’t conform to these standards, you will be responsible for the cost of bringing the building up to code. Any illegal additions or alterations become your responsibility once you buy the property, so it’s definitely worth checking with the local authorities.
Whilst a building inspection may include consideration of various overlays such as bushfire, heritage, etc, it may not provide a detailed history of the property. If you require historic information about the property, such as previous owners, sales history, or any disputes or legal issues, you may need to conduct additional research or seek the services of a property lawyer or conveyancer to conduct this for you.
To gather information on overlays, past permits, and other aspects related to a property purchase, you may want to start by contacting the state and local government planning or building department in the council area or municipality where the property is located. They may have records of past permits, variances, or overlays that apply to the property. You can search and obtain a Planning Property Report via VicPlan through the Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning’s website. Enter the property address to receive information regarding all relevant Planning Scheme zones and any overlays applicable to the property, whether heritage, flood zone, bushfire, erosion, etc. You can then create your own free downloadable Planning Property Report for your property of interest.
Industry Recommendations:
Government and property authorities highly recommend that buyers have a building inspection done before purchasing any property. This is to ensure that potential buyers are aware of any potential issues or defects in the property. Qualified Building Inspectors can help identify structural problems, safety hazards, dodgy renos and potentially costly repairs, allowing buyers to make a more informed decision before finalising a purchase.
Building sector bodies such as the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) recommend home buyers obtain a report from someone with appropriate skills and competencies – preferably a builder. So, best to ensure your building inspector is a qualified building professional. All Houspect building inspections utilise experienced, registered builders trained in accordance with the Australian Inspection Standard (AS4349.1-2007-Inspection of Buildings Part 1: Pre-purchase Inspections-Residential Buildings), and holding full Domestic Builder Unlimited (DBU) registration. You should avoid anyone who is not a VBA-licensed DBU builder.
Your biggest risk is not taking time to do your research into the property. There are useful tools available from consumer awareness sites such as Consumer Affairs Victoria offering helpful guidance for buying property including a Due Diligence Checklist for residential property buyers to follow. You can also utilise independent sites such as CoreLogic for all sorts of support data about property prices, trends, values, demographics and more to help with your buying decision. Numerous sites share valuable property market info and indices: Domain.com.au; OnTheHouse; PropertyValue; Property.com.au; RealEstate.com.au; REIV; Valuer General (VGV); and many others.
What might be the impacts of NOT getting an inspection done?
NOT getting a Pre-purchase Building Inspection done at all could lead to unforeseen costly repairs after the purchase is complete, potentially putting financial strain on the buyer. If significant issues are uncovered after the purchase is complete, the buyer may have to deal with legal disputes with the seller over non-disclosure of defects. In the long run, NOT getting a Pre-purchase Building Inspection done by a registered builder could lead to structural problems or dangerous problems that could impact the value of the property both now and in the future.
Effectively, a Pre-purchase Inspection Report is a bit like having an insurance policy before you buy!
