When buying or selling property in WA it is important that both the seller and buyer know that the structures on a property have been constructed appropriately and that the structures have been approved by the local Council or Shire. Structural integrity is often not the only consideration. Where this is not the case –…
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We have written on the important topic of smoke alarms on numerous times in the past and it has always generated considerable interest. Key issues have included: What are the rules? When do they apply? Does it matter when the property was built? Battery or Hardwired? Interconnected? Transition Rules and compliance with which Australian Standard?…
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If you are building a new home in WA it is important to check the upper floor bedroom windows – there are some very specific requirements! 1 What are We Talking About? There were important changes to the Building Code of Australia (“BCA”) in May 2013 in relation to windows in upper floor bedroom windows…
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Securing online client reviews is critical to small businesses but it does require clients who know how to negotiate the web to provide those reviews. Many of our clients simply write to us and tell us about their positive service experience. The following is a selection of client reviews so far this year: 26/10/17 –…
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Building a new home can be an exciting and enjoyable process. The number of decisions and choices can be endless in relation to all of the individual items to be installed in your new home. Often all of these decisions can put pressure on budgets and cost overruns can occur. So in an environment where…
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Whether you are undertaking a small or large commercial construction project involving demolition, pile driving, construction, sub divisions or road works (“construction project”), dilapidation surveys are often a key component of the contractual obligations and or are simply best practice in risk management and compliance strategies. Dilapidation (condition) surveys can be conducted on: Residential, strata,…
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If you are building a new style double storey home in WA, quite possibly the upper floor will not be the traditional double brick on a concrete slab but a wooden framed upper floor, wall and roof frame, and generally with a metal roof cover. Noting that 85% of new houses in Australia are framed…
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If you own a residential investment property in WA and you need a quality, unbiased and independent assessment of the building maintenance requirements (with cost estimates) which you are likely to incur over the next three years, then contact Houspect WA. 1 What are We Talking About? Residential investment properties, like all properties, need to…
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Tiled balconies are a feature of many homes and strata units in WA. However, there are some critical elements that need to be checked during construction, warranty periods or purchase evaluations. 1 What are We Talking About? Balconies are a common feature for a variety of styles of homes and strata units in…
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If you are building a new home in WA another important construction inspection on the construction journey is the “Lock Up (and waterproofing)” inspection. 1 What are We Talking About? Once the builder has reached the “lock up” stage – i.e. the building is capable of being physically locked up (i.e. all the doors and…
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