Introduction: Thank you all for attending this evening My name is Sue Horton, I own and operate Allied home inspections with my husband Peter who has been a licenced builder for over 30 years. We mainly do pre-purchase building inspections and also Handover inspections of new homes. I’m here tonight to provide you with some basic information about building and pest inspections to help you understand why you need them and a little more about what we do. As we go through the power point presentations, feel free to ask any questions along the way. This information is also provided in your information pack tonight. Lets start with why you need building and pest inspections ! …. Next slide
You need these inspections to make sure that…. Safety: You don’t want to purchase a home that has some of inside walls eaten out by termites or the foundations are about to fail or hasn't been constructed safely. Even though the home may be presented immaculately it could still be hiding some serious and costly defects that only a professional can identify EG Sovereign Islands and Display homes …serious enough defects to pull out of a contract. You don’t want to buy a home that will have costly repairs needed in the future. EG Surface water drainage and failed foundations, roof replaced, termite damage repair and treatments put in.
To make protect your self from these expenses you need to put in a clause in your contract when signing up your property. Allow 10-14 days if possible to organise inspections, get other inspections or prices for negotiating repair work 7 days is often not enough time. Don’t be persuaded by your agent to make this time frame too short.
The Inspector must hold a current licence if require under the QLD Building Services Act The Seller should seek qualified advice about completing this section and rely on the Agent to complete this sction. This is also further reinforced in our reports. The Australian Standards require us to give you warning that these should be installed and checked by a licenced electrician.
Read the terms of your contract thoroughly and you will see you need a licenced building and pest inspector to do these inspections
We cannot lift carpet or move beds etc without owners permission We cannot do more invasive inspections for termites without owners permission eg boroscope
Thermal imaging not yey recognised by Australian Standards as too unreliable as present and not regulations regarding training the operators to a recognised standard. Hot climates in Australia affect the cameras operation
Need to ask this question of the company you are using for your protection
Surface water drainage : cause cracking in the render and internal walls in other photo That home 18 mths old, $35000 to fix the drainage problem and repair the render damage already visible. Taps, Air Conditioner also not drained away from home Someone knocked off part of the house slab Termites can now get in and moisture barrier has been compromised Weight Bearing - Bearer rotting and exterior wall and roof compromised. Roof truss damaged : the strength of the roof compromised and could sag or collapse.