Here in Melbourne, there are no regulations on who can and can’t perform a building inspection and provide you with a report.
Anyone can call themselves a building inspector, regardless of whether or not they have any experience, qualifications, or training in the building industry or property inspections.
If you’re looking to get a building inspection, you probably want to decide whether or not the property you are looking at buying is a good investment. So you want to make sure that the person or business you go with is reputable, so you will do a thorough inspection and can rely on the report they provide.
Here is a list of the critical things that you should look for when choosing a building inspector:
While pretty much anyone can do a building report, you want to ensure that the person you choose has the experience, expertise, and qualifications to do it. Ideally, they should:
Different inspectors have different processes in place. When you are getting a building report, you want to ensure that it is thorough and that you can rely on its information. A good inspector will do more than walk through the property. They will get up on the roof, at the top, and under the floor to inspect the parcel thoroughly for defects, structural issues, and any signs of pest activity. They should also use specialist equipment, including moisture metres, infrared cameras, and tools, to check the wood for the presence of termites.
Ensure you ask the building inspector what insurance coverage they have. You want to ensure they will be covered if something gets damaged or broken as part of the inspection. They should, as a minimum, have Professional Indemnity Insurance in place. If a building inspector has no insurance in place, find someone else.
If you want a building report done on a property you want to buy, you probably need the information as soon as possible. So, when you’re looking for someone to do your building report, ask them how soon they can come and inspect the property and how quickly they can provide the information. Most reputable building inspectors can inspect the property within 24 hours and report within a day. If an inspector you are talking to can’t do this, it may be a sign that you should speak to someone else.
As a registered Master Builder and Pest Inspector with more than 30 years of real building experience, Premium Pre-purchase Inspections Melbourne is an excellent choice if you are looking for a building inspection and report.
Our extensive industry experience means we’ve seen it all before—dodgy cover-ups, shoddy work, structural issues, and problems that develop over time. So you can be confident that we will fix any problems with the property you’re looking at. And, unlike many other building inspectors, we go below the surface to thoroughly check everything. We get under the floor, get up on the roof, use infrared cameras and moisture metres, and thoroughly inspect every building aspect. So you know exactly what the issues and problems are and what it will cost to fix them.
Our building reports are designed to make it easy for you to understand what’s going on with the property and include clear photos and assessments of the properties:
BOOK your PPI building and house inspection now, or contact us for a QUOTE.