Are you on the market for a new house? Going home shopping? Isn’t it such an exciting adventure to go and view houses, compare their pros and cons, decide on how you would arrange it all, and it is even more so if this is your first owned house? You are investing your hard earned and saved money on your own property, and therefore you want only the best that you can buy within your budget, which is why you look at so many options before making a final decision.
One thing that you should definitely do before deciding on a house to buy is to carry out a home or building inspection on it. Home inspections in Sydney are guaranteed ways in which you can find out if your intended purchase has any faults or defects, which you may not be able to detect during a visual examination. Since home and building inspections in Sydney are carried out by professionals who have years of experience in the field, they are better able to find out even minor defects, which could cost you a lot of money to rectify and repair, and could be a real hassle for you as well.
So, what are the common problems that inspectors find during a home inspection in Sydney?
Structural issues – Structural issues may include problems related to the foundation, crawl space, slab, basement, frame, roof and walls. Poor construction, poor maintenance, settling and the effects of natural disasters can cause many problems for the structure of a house, and these may not even be evident during a simple visual examination. Such repairs can cost thousands of dollars and be unsafe for the residents of the house. There is no point in spending so much money on repairs soon after you have already invested a considerable amount on your new home.
Roof – Roof issues can be a very common problem and may include such issues as loose shingles, a roof that is at the end of its lifetime, and so much more. If a roof issue is detected during a building inspection it is best to check with the seller if there is warranty on the roof, since most contractors offer warranties that span 20-to-30-year periods. If the warranty is still available it would be best to get the rectifications done through the contractor who did the roof. Certain major problems with a roof may need an entirely new one done, and who pays for the repairs can be negotiated with the seller.
Plumbing issues – Plumbing issues can vary from minor leaks to huge problems that require the entire plumbing system to be replaced, and these issues like leaks can even result in other problems like mold forming in the house where there is moisture. Plumbing issues can cause quite a headache if you can’t locate where an internal leak is, hence it is best to get the house checked for such matters before buying it.
Electrical issues – Electrical issues can cause a safety hazard to your family and hence if such an issue is detected during a home or building inspection in Sydney, you should get an expert to have a look at it and make recommendations as to the best course of action to take. If you are purchasing an older home, it may have faulty or outdated wiring which would need to be replaced, and even in newly constructed homes there could be certain issues that need to be attended to.
HVAC Systems – HVAC is the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of your house, and issues with these systems are common. If the home is not heating or cooling properly then you may be having an issue with the system, which would need to be checked out by a professional. Replacing an HVAC system can also cost thousands of dollars, and if such an issue exists in the property you are interested in, then it is best to request the seller to replace it before you pay an advance on the house.
Water damage – Water damage can exist anywhere in the house and maybe caused by a leaking room, faulty plumbing system etc. water damages can be in the form of mold growth, wood rot, and may even cause structural issues. Water damage is one of the most expensive issues to resolve since it can cause extensive damage to a home.
Timber pests – Timber pests such as termites, borers and wood decaying fungus can cause a lot of damage to structural timber and other timber laden areas of a house, as well as furniture. In the case of termites, you will not even know the extent of the damage they have done until something very serious occurs, and by then it would be too late. Certain repairs from timber pests may cost a lot of money, especially if the timber needs to be replaced.
As you can see, getting a pre-purchase building or home inspection in Sydney is certainly a way of securing the investment you are about to make on your new home. In addition, knowing what defects there are in a prospective home, can help you negotiate with the seller on the price, or even add clauses to the contract where the seller would be legally bound to rectify these issues.