When you are ready to buy a house when of the things you need to do before you go unconditional is to get a pre purchase inspection. To be prepared, find out what the pre purchase house inspection looks at and why.
What a pre purchase house inspection looks at and why
Your building inspector will look at a range of areas both inside and outside of the property. The pre purchase house inspection will include:
The site itself. This will cover drainage, how the site looks in general and the ground clearances to the floor to ensure the house has been properly sited. It will also look at whether decks have been placed correctly and whether the cladding of the property is properly done.
The subfloor and roof space. These are two important areas as they can contain a lot of utilities such as plumbing and electrical cables. They can also highlight any potential current leaks are areas that have leaked previously.
The roof. The roof is a common area where problems can occur. Your pre purchase house inspection will look for signs of poor workmanship and any holes or damage. Any holes or damage to the roof are likely to result in leaks. Depending on how old the property is the roof could also be made from materials you want to replace like decramastic tiles. The inspection will also check the gutters – another area that can be prone to leaks and the cladding and flashing.
Exterior windows and doors. Windows and doors are another area that can leak or suffer from damp or rotting, especially if they are timber. The inspection will check both the design of the windows and doors and the condition of the materials and workmanship.
Interior of the property. The inspection will check materials and workmanship and look for signs of wear and tear. This will tell you whether the house is deteriorating quicker than it should – perhaps due to mould in the house, or other issues – or whether there is damage to the house that is beyond normal wear.
Make sure a professional building inspector does your inspection
While you can inspect the house yourself, it is much better to get a professional inspector. A professional will have a better eye for details and the correct equipment such as thermal imaging moisture testing equipment to look for hidden leaks.
Choose a registered building inspector for extra peace of mind. Building experience is also a bonus.
Innohome offers pre purchase house inspections across Aukland and we provide a written report within 24 hours of the inspection being carried out. If you need results quicker we can provide a verbal report for you. Book an inspection with us.