Purchasing a property is not something many of us take lightly. In fact, it’s probably going to be the single biggest investment you’ll ever make. Fortunately, knowing what to look for when inspecting a property can help you decide whether it’s worth pursuing or not. To help you determine whether your potential property is right for you, Casey Building Inspections has prepared a handy checklist.

Pre-Purchase Building Inspection Checklist

The following checklist outlines some areas of the house you can take a look at to get an indication of a building’s condition. There are other areas that should also be inspected, but access may not be feasible during an open home inspection, so arranging a professional pre-purchase inspection is recommended.

• Doors – Check that every door panel opens and shuts without hindrance from the door frame. Look for signs of planing and take note of uneven gaps at the top or bottom of the door.
• Windows – Try opening and closing each window. Also check for signs of condensation, cracked window panels and dampness damage.
• Walls and Ceilings – Check for dampness, buckling and mould stains on walls, and pay close attention to ceilings. If they sag, this can indicate a serious problem.
• Kitchen – Inspect the area beneath the kitchen sink and look for signs of leakage. Keep an eye out for stains and mould, and check to see if the pipes under the sink are well secured by giving them a light shake.
• Bathroom – Check taps by turning them off and on. Check water pressure in the shower and check for leaks under the sink. Look for any signs of mould.

This checklist is not intended to replace a pre-purchase inspection by an expert inspector, but is designed to help you decide if the property is worth taking to this stage. Once you’ve taken a look at the property yourself, the next step is to call Casey Building Inspections and book a professional pre-purchase inspection.

Why Should I Get a Professional Pre-Purchase Inspection?

Properties may appear faultless to laymen or the untrained eye, but in reality there can be a number of nasty surprises hiding behind walls and lurking beneath floorboards. These can manifest long after you have purchased a property and may cost thousands to rectify. When you arrange for a pre-purchase inspection with a professional, you can rest assured that they’ll know exactly what to look for and where.

When you use Casey Building Inspections, our professional inspectors will list all faults found, provide you with full colour photographs, and recommend the best course of action to take in order to rectify problems. Once you’re armed with this information, you’ll be in a much better position to negotiate a sale price that takes into account the money required to fix any defects.

Building and pest inspections can be combined for a better rate, so if you need an inspection carried out on a property you think is worth purchasing, contact Casey Building Inspections today.