Trevor Fortescue (WA Registered Builder 7711) is the Houspect’s Building Inspector in Bunbury and surrounding areas in the Southwest. Trevor has a long history in the building industry in the southwest, interstate and overseas both in residential and commercial construction. Trevor has been involved in the construction of all types of residential and commercial buildings…
1 Background Despite the significant growth on in alternative building methods (brick veneer, reverse venerer, framed and clad, rammed earth, stone, straw, hempcrete etc) WA still has a very strong level of support for double brick homes. Houspect WA conducts a large number of brickwork inspections on new WA homes every year. The question is…
1. Background We have previously written about the WA love affair with patios and carports. For a refresh see here. While the patio is now being phased out in new homes by much more elaborate outdoor alfresco areas, the humble patio is still a feature in many of our existing homes. Carports are generally giving…
Major Structural Defects – What to do when the REIWA Pre Purchase Building Inspection Annexure has been used 1. Background In WA Pre Purchase Building Inspections on residential properties are generally undertaken as a result of a REIWA Purchase Contract where the Standard REIWA Pre Purchase Building Inspection Annexure has been included. Every week we…
1. Background Houspect WA conducts a large number of pre purchase building inspections every year across WA. The question is often raised, how soon can I conduct my pre purchase building inspection once we have an agreed Offer to Purchase Contract? The simple answer is immediately, which explodes the commonly held myth that Buyers have…
Impacts on those Buying, Building or Renovating Residential Properties in WA? Residential building work contracts in Western Australia are governed by the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (the Act). If residential building work valued over $20,000 is to be undertaken (a WA Registered Builder is required) the Act requires that a builder take out home…
1. Background We have previously written about the importance of weepholes. In our view, these are an integral part of WA homes, especially double brick homes. Need a refresher on the importance of weep holes see here. These innocuous little vents enable moisture to escape the wall cavity but most importantly allow air to vent…
1. Background We have previously written about the importance of termite inspections when buying a property in WA. So hopefully we have clearly established the need to obtain a termite inspection when purchasing a property in WA. 2. Is a Termite Inspection an automatic right when you purchase a property when using the standard REIWA…
1. Background Often much is said about the need for pre-settlement inspections. However, there is often considerable confusion and occasionally disappointment when these inspections are conducted by Buyers, their representatives or Building Inspectors. For this reason, it is timely to explore exactly what these inspections are or potentially more important what they are not. 2.…
1. What are we talking about? The extent that a strata company and or a Council of Owners (COO) have documented maintenance plans for their strata property varies considerably across WA. Given the normal tensions between the availability of funds and the extent of ongoing maintenance requirements, a reactive rather than proactive approach has traditionally been…