Pre - Purchase Inspections
BUILDING ELEMENTS AND SERVICES TO BE INSPECTED
Referenced Australian Standard 4349.1 Pre Purchase Inspection
BUILDING ELEMENTS AND SERVICES TO BE INSPECTED
Referenced Australian Standard 4349.1 Pre Purchase Inspection
The inspector shall inspect the building elements typically present in residential buildings. listed below, items to be visually inspected and limited testing of operation shall be undertaken.
INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING Ceilings Sagging Nails popping Defective lining Lath and plaster key damage Fibrous plaster Scrimming/grouting/strapping Cracking Dampness and damp damage Walls Bulging Nails popping Defective lining Cracking Dampness and damp damage Distortion, verticality Timber floors Damage Decay Dampness and damp damage Floor movement such as considerable spring and bounce Concrete floors Cracking Surface damage Dampness and damp damage Timber windows Putty Broken or cracked glass Sash operation Sash fittings and hardware Water staining Decaying frames and sashes Metal-framed windows Broken or cracked glass Sash operation Sash fittings and hardware Water staining and corrosion Doors and frames Binding doors Defective door hardware Corroded or decaying frames Damaged doors Loose or badly fitting doors KITCHEN Bench top Lifting or de-lamination Damage Water damage Cupboards Water damage Operation of doors & drawers Sink/taps Chips, cracks, leaking, etc. Water supply to be turned on, and taps operated Tiles Cracked Loose, missing Grouting and sealant ENSUITE W/C Cistern and pan Cracking Leaking Installation and stability Water supply to be turned on cistern flushed Taps Leaking Water supply to be turned on and taps operated Tiles Cracked Loose Grouting and sealant BATHROOMS Bath Damage Shower Visual signs of leakage Screen Broken glass Water supply to be turned on and the shower operated Vanity Damage Doors and drawers Washbasin Damage Loose Waste/trap Water supply to be turned on and taps operated Mirrors Cracking Chips Lots more in next column scroll up to see |
BATHROOM (continued)
Taps Operation Leaking Water hammer (water supply to be turned on and taps operated) Tubs/cabinet Condition Tiles Cracked Loose Grouting and sealant visual inspection EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING Inspection items/parts Inspection areas External cladding Integrity Paint, protective coating condition Doors and windows Flashing Moulding Sills Timber or steel frames and structures Stairs Structure integrity, looseness Balconies, verandas, patios, Decks, Suspended concrete floors, Balustrades Structure integrity, looseness Roof Tiles Shingles and slates Sheet roofing Gables Cracked and broken Loose, decay Rusting, nails popping roof sheets Skylights, vents and flues Flashing general condition leaks can be notoriously difficult to find and can be beyond the inspection scope as far as practical will be inspected Valleys Rust Guttering Rust Downpipes Rust Eaves, fascias and barges ROOF SPACE as seen from manhole Roof covering Roof framing Physical damage, deterioration Inappropriate modification Sarking Integrity Party walls Integrity Insulation visual existence SUB FLOOR SPACE as seen as far as practical from sub floor access Supports Deflection of bearers or joists Cracking, spalling, rusting Termite caps Deterioration damp Suspended concrete floors Deterioration THE SITE Car accommodation, detached laundry, ablution facilities Paths and driveways Condition Fencing General fencing condition No Swimming pool fencing included EXCLUSION OF ITEMS FROM INSPECTION (Informative) Yes Unfortunately there are a few things time, cost of service and/or other constraints prevent us from including. As per Australian Standard 4349.1 The inspector need not inspect or report on the following: (a) Footings below ground. (cant see them) (b) Concealed damp-proof course. (its concealed) (c) Electrical installations, operation of smoke detectors, light switches and fittings, TV, (usually checked) sound and communications and security systems. (d) Concealed plumbing. (i dont think pulling plaster off walls to gain access is the way to go) (e) Adequacy of roof drainage as installed. (f) Gas fittings and fixtures. (g) Air conditioning. (h) Automatic garage door mechanisms. (i) Swimming pools and associated filtration and similar equipment. (j) The operation of fireplaces and solid fuel heaters, including chimneys and flues. (k) Alarm systems. (l) Intercom systems. (m) Soft floor coverings. (n) Electrical appliances including dishwashers, incinerators, ovens, ducted vacuum systems. (o) Paint coatings, except external protective coatings. (p) Health hazards (e.g., allergies, soil toxicity, lead content, radon, presence of asbestos or urea formaldehyde). (q) Timber and metal framing sizes and adequacy. (r) Concealed tie-downs and bracing. (s) Timber pest activity. (t) Other mechanical or electrical equipment (such as gates, inclinators). (u) Soil conditions. (v) Control joints. (w) Sustainable development provisions. (x) Concealed framing-timbers or any areas concealed by wall linings/sidings. (y) Landscaping. (z) Rubbish. (aa) Floor cover. (bb) Furniture and accessories. (cc) Stored items. (dd) Insulation. (ee) Environmental matters (e.g., BASIX, water tanks, BCA Environmental Provisions). (ff) Energy efficiency. (gg) Lighting efficiency |
Property inspection Report
This property inspection should be undertaken as early in the buying process aspracticable. This way, the purchaser will know about the condition of the property and willbe able to make a better informed decision as to whether to proceed with the purchase.This report is referenced in line with
A.S 4349.1
may be suitable also for a vendor to includein Vendor statementsThe purchase of residential property is an important decision and should be supported byknowledge of the physical state of the property. Independent and objective advice is oftenrequired to enable informed decisions.This inspection includes subjective appraisal by an inspector competent to assess thecondition of residential buildings. In any subjective application it is inevitable that differentinspectors or even the same inspector, on a different occasion, may reach differentconclusions.This Inspection seeks to provide an appropriate balance between reliability of outcomes,economic constraints and the flexibility required to address numerous different types ofresidential building.The inspection is not intended to include rigorous assessment of all building elements in aproperty. It is NOT a guarantee or Warrantee in any way or form, of current condition nowor in the future of the property.This Inspection is referenced to A.S.4349.1 and does not include other specialisedinspections which are beyond the scope of this inspectionSpecialist and non-standard inspections beyond the scope of this inspection may include,but are not limited to, the following:(g) Pest inspection—eg. In areas where termites are a problem all prospective purchasers should have a pest inspection carried out.(h) Electrical installation—In the interests of safety, all new owners should have a report on the electrical installation carried out by a suitably qualified person.(i)Other specialist inspections—These include plumbing, hydraulics, mechanical services or geotechnical where appropriate.
Limitations Of Inspection
A report prepared in accordance with this Standard is not a certificate of compliance of theproperty within the requirements of any Act, regulation, ordinance, local law or by-law, andis not a warranty against problems with the building or developing with the building in thefuture.This Inspection does not include the identification of unauthorised building work or of worknot compliant with building regulations.
INSPECTION AGREEMENTGENERAL
Any changes to the purpose, scope or acceptance criteria shall be agreed by all parties at the appropriate time.
This Inspection report remains the property of issuer as with copy-write and is licensed as a single copy only. it may not be reproduced, transmitted, passed on, etc to any other party. if other parties wish to obtain a copy express approval must be granted by arrangement with issuer The inspector may recommend that other specialists be engaged to report, in detail, on particular problems that are encountered in the course of a building inspection. Thecommissioning and costs associated are not included in this agreement and are at theclients discretion It is not the role of the inspector to explain title and ownership matters and/or to deal withmatters concerning easements, covenants, restrictions, zoning certificates and all otherlaw-related matters.This report in absolutely no way what so ever constitutes a warrantee or guarantee as tothe condition of the inspected building, property or part there of, it is to be read and usedas opinion only
PURPOSE OF INSPECTION
The purpose of the inspection is to provide opinion advice to a prospective purchaser orother interested party whom commissioned the report, regarding the condition of theproperty at the time of inspection.
SCOPE OF INSPECTION
GeneralThe inspection shall comprise visual assessment of the property to identify major defectsand to form an opinion regarding the general condition of the property at the time ofinspectionAn estimate of the cost of rectification of defects is not required in an inspection reportThe cost of rectification of building defects is notoriously difficult to estimate reliably. This isprimarily because the actual extent of work cannot be known before commencement of thework. There is also reduced competition as many contractors are unwilling to undertakerectification work.The preparation of rectification estimates is commonly based on standard industry costguides or the inspector’s own experience. In either case, the reliability of the resultingestimate should be used as a guide only.A more reliable estimate of rectification cost can sometimes be obtained by documentingthe expected rectification work and obtaining quotations for the specified extent of work.Alternatively, a quantity surveyor or similar construction cost estimator may becommissioned to estimate the cost of a specified extent of work.
Areas for inspection
The inspection shall cover reasonably accessible areas to dwelling.The client shall arrange right of entry, facilitate physical entry to the property and supplynecessary information to enable the inspector to undertake the inspection and prepare areport. The inspector is not responsible for arranging entry to property or parts of property.
Areas where reasonable entry is denied to the inspector, or where reasonable access is not available, are excluded from, and do not form part of, the inspection.NOTE: Those areas may be the subject of an additional inspection and cost if requested.The provision of reasonable entry and access is at the sole discretion of the inspector
Inspection process
The inspection shall comprise visual appraisal and limited assessment of serviceability.NOTES:The inspector may or may not be able to anticipate many limitations of an inspection.Note Many disputes between the client and inspector occur because the client did notexpect the inspection to be subject to some form of limitation. Thus please draw yourattention to limitations and expected and unexpected limitations that may restrict the fullachievement of the client’s purpose of inspection. The opportunity to inform the client priorto the inspector’s visit to the property is limited and there will always remain the possibilityof unexpected limitations that will be apparent only when the inspector visits the property;however, it is important that the client have a realistic understanding of the inspectionlimitations prior to the inspection.Examples of expected limitations include legal right of entry, locked doors, security system,pets, furniture and similar obstructions,Examples of limitations that may not be expected at any particular inspection, but whichare common, include access restrictions due to height or narrow boundary clearance, thickvegetation, small roof or crawl space and adverse weather conditions. It is not practicablefor the inspector to anticipate and inform the client of all possible limitations that may bepresent when the inspector visits the property; however, the client should have anappreciation, during the agreement period, of the types of limitation that may occur.Please note : the inspection is considered as undertaken once the inspector has attendedsite weather access is obtained or not and inspection fee will become due and payable,access is the clients responsibility to arrange
Extent of reporting
Significant items to be reported are as follows:(a) Major defects.(b) A general impression regarding the extent of minor defects.NOTE: For example, significantly deteriorating exterior paint.(c) Any major defect that is reasonably detected and an urgent and serious safety hazard.NOTE: For example, unsafe balustrades or imminent collapse of a structural member.
Acceptance criteria
The building shall be compared with a building that was constructed in accordance with the generally accepted practice at the time of construction and which has been maintained such that there has been no significant loss of strength and serviceability.the basis for comparison for Inspection is a building of similar age and similar type to the subject building and which is in reasonable condition, having been adequately maintained
This property inspection should be undertaken as early in the buying process aspracticable. This way, the purchaser will know about the condition of the property and willbe able to make a better informed decision as to whether to proceed with the purchase.This report is referenced in line with
A.S 4349.1
may be suitable also for a vendor to includein Vendor statementsThe purchase of residential property is an important decision and should be supported byknowledge of the physical state of the property. Independent and objective advice is oftenrequired to enable informed decisions.This inspection includes subjective appraisal by an inspector competent to assess thecondition of residential buildings. In any subjective application it is inevitable that differentinspectors or even the same inspector, on a different occasion, may reach differentconclusions.This Inspection seeks to provide an appropriate balance between reliability of outcomes,economic constraints and the flexibility required to address numerous different types ofresidential building.The inspection is not intended to include rigorous assessment of all building elements in aproperty. It is NOT a guarantee or Warrantee in any way or form, of current condition nowor in the future of the property.This Inspection is referenced to A.S.4349.1 and does not include other specialisedinspections which are beyond the scope of this inspectionSpecialist and non-standard inspections beyond the scope of this inspection may include,but are not limited to, the following:(g) Pest inspection—eg. In areas where termites are a problem all prospective purchasers should have a pest inspection carried out.(h) Electrical installation—In the interests of safety, all new owners should have a report on the electrical installation carried out by a suitably qualified person.(i)Other specialist inspections—These include plumbing, hydraulics, mechanical services or geotechnical where appropriate.
Limitations Of Inspection
A report prepared in accordance with this Standard is not a certificate of compliance of theproperty within the requirements of any Act, regulation, ordinance, local law or by-law, andis not a warranty against problems with the building or developing with the building in thefuture.This Inspection does not include the identification of unauthorised building work or of worknot compliant with building regulations.
INSPECTION AGREEMENTGENERAL
Any changes to the purpose, scope or acceptance criteria shall be agreed by all parties at the appropriate time.
This Inspection report remains the property of issuer as with copy-write and is licensed as a single copy only. it may not be reproduced, transmitted, passed on, etc to any other party. if other parties wish to obtain a copy express approval must be granted by arrangement with issuer The inspector may recommend that other specialists be engaged to report, in detail, on particular problems that are encountered in the course of a building inspection. Thecommissioning and costs associated are not included in this agreement and are at theclients discretion It is not the role of the inspector to explain title and ownership matters and/or to deal withmatters concerning easements, covenants, restrictions, zoning certificates and all otherlaw-related matters.This report in absolutely no way what so ever constitutes a warrantee or guarantee as tothe condition of the inspected building, property or part there of, it is to be read and usedas opinion only
PURPOSE OF INSPECTION
The purpose of the inspection is to provide opinion advice to a prospective purchaser orother interested party whom commissioned the report, regarding the condition of theproperty at the time of inspection.
SCOPE OF INSPECTION
GeneralThe inspection shall comprise visual assessment of the property to identify major defectsand to form an opinion regarding the general condition of the property at the time ofinspectionAn estimate of the cost of rectification of defects is not required in an inspection reportThe cost of rectification of building defects is notoriously difficult to estimate reliably. This isprimarily because the actual extent of work cannot be known before commencement of thework. There is also reduced competition as many contractors are unwilling to undertakerectification work.The preparation of rectification estimates is commonly based on standard industry costguides or the inspector’s own experience. In either case, the reliability of the resultingestimate should be used as a guide only.A more reliable estimate of rectification cost can sometimes be obtained by documentingthe expected rectification work and obtaining quotations for the specified extent of work.Alternatively, a quantity surveyor or similar construction cost estimator may becommissioned to estimate the cost of a specified extent of work.
Areas for inspection
The inspection shall cover reasonably accessible areas to dwelling.The client shall arrange right of entry, facilitate physical entry to the property and supplynecessary information to enable the inspector to undertake the inspection and prepare areport. The inspector is not responsible for arranging entry to property or parts of property.
Areas where reasonable entry is denied to the inspector, or where reasonable access is not available, are excluded from, and do not form part of, the inspection.NOTE: Those areas may be the subject of an additional inspection and cost if requested.The provision of reasonable entry and access is at the sole discretion of the inspector
Inspection process
The inspection shall comprise visual appraisal and limited assessment of serviceability.NOTES:The inspector may or may not be able to anticipate many limitations of an inspection.Note Many disputes between the client and inspector occur because the client did notexpect the inspection to be subject to some form of limitation. Thus please draw yourattention to limitations and expected and unexpected limitations that may restrict the fullachievement of the client’s purpose of inspection. The opportunity to inform the client priorto the inspector’s visit to the property is limited and there will always remain the possibilityof unexpected limitations that will be apparent only when the inspector visits the property;however, it is important that the client have a realistic understanding of the inspectionlimitations prior to the inspection.Examples of expected limitations include legal right of entry, locked doors, security system,pets, furniture and similar obstructions,Examples of limitations that may not be expected at any particular inspection, but whichare common, include access restrictions due to height or narrow boundary clearance, thickvegetation, small roof or crawl space and adverse weather conditions. It is not practicablefor the inspector to anticipate and inform the client of all possible limitations that may bepresent when the inspector visits the property; however, the client should have anappreciation, during the agreement period, of the types of limitation that may occur.Please note : the inspection is considered as undertaken once the inspector has attendedsite weather access is obtained or not and inspection fee will become due and payable,access is the clients responsibility to arrange
Extent of reporting
Significant items to be reported are as follows:(a) Major defects.(b) A general impression regarding the extent of minor defects.NOTE: For example, significantly deteriorating exterior paint.(c) Any major defect that is reasonably detected and an urgent and serious safety hazard.NOTE: For example, unsafe balustrades or imminent collapse of a structural member.
Acceptance criteria
The building shall be compared with a building that was constructed in accordance with the generally accepted practice at the time of construction and which has been maintained such that there has been no significant loss of strength and serviceability.the basis for comparison for Inspection is a building of similar age and similar type to the subject building and which is in reasonable condition, having been adequately maintained