4 TIPS FOR BUILDING INSPECTION IN MELBOURNE

The property market in Melbourne is hot and fast. Properties are moving fast pushing the demand for competent building inspectors. We suggest having the “subject to building inspection” condition in your sales contract with correct wording to protect you from unforeseen building defects. Building Inspection reveals the actual condition of the property to you.

Building Inspection Council has compiled the 4 tips to get maximum out the building inspection.


1. Avoid Bad Source


Be careful of the source of reference for your building inspector. The vendors, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and solicitors may recommend you building inspector but these professionals have a conflict of interest. These professionals want your business and this requires the property sale to get through. The property may have some defects which can break the deal if the building inspector reveals these defects.



Building inspectors get regular references from these professionals and would like to oblige these people with a little cover-up of building defects. You will find out about this cover-up when it is too late. We suggest doing your research or get quotes from Building Inspection Council – a not-for-profit community service.

2. Vigorously Check Credentials


Building Inspection Council has observed that many property buyers especially young one feel shy to ask qualifying question to building inspectors just cause it cost only $400-$600. It is not about the cost of inspection, it is about your future home – the biggest investment of your life.



Do not slack in verifying the credential of the building inspector. An incompetent inspector may miss disastrous defects and leave you with huge repair bills.

  • Verify the qualification

  • Confirm the experience

  • Refer to the reviews and feedback

  • Ask for a copy of the insurance

  • Ask about the local knowledge.

If you are confused about anything, you can always confirm with Building Inspection Council.





3. Ensure Full House Check


Make sure that inspectors inspect the whole house as many companies have unreasonable exclusions. You should go through the terms and conditions of the building inspection and ask them to include some extra parts of the building for free. The building inspector should tap on every inch of each wall. This gives you information about the presence of termite or moisture in the walls.



You should confirm with the building inspector if they use a moisture meter to detect dampness or water leaks. Fresh paint is often the sign of concealed building defects as many vendors try to hide the building issues. You can ask the building inspector to use thermal imaging to detect the water damage.

4. Written Report And Follow-Up

Many unprofessional building inspectors will offer verbal inspection reports instead of a written ones. Avoid such inspectors and always choose an inspector who provides a written report in compliance with Australian Standard (AS 4349.1 -2007). A written report provides you ground to cancel the contract and prove your point in court.

You should confirm if the building inspector provides a free follow-up service. A good building inspector will explain the report in easy-to-understand language and answer your question. The building inspection will stand by the inspection report in case of any conflict with the vendor or agent.

Building Inspection Council ensures that you get a quality building inspector who is on your side and protect you from future problems. 97.9% of users have referred us to their friends and family cause of the quality of service and savings.

Building Inspection Council is a not-for-profit community service that helps property buyers with free building inspection quotes. Our members have saved $104.7 on average as compared to the market price. The best thing about being a not-for-profit organization is that we do not have to compromise for profit and you get service from genuine expert building inspectors in your area. FOR FREE QUOTES, CLICK HERE.