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Calling all landlords – get clued up on the new insulation laws with a professional house inspection

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The incoming law changes for rental properties and insulation might have left you feeling a bit uneasy. What’s changed? What’s now expected of you? And most importantly, what’s it going to cost you? Or are you just scratching your head asking what law changes? And do I need a house inspection?

If you’re a landlord in NZ (or are keen to become one), there are a few changes you need to know about so you don’t get any nasty surprises come July 2019. We’re here to help you get clued up on the new incoming regulations so you can make the best decisions about your rental property.

 

The low down on insulation law changes

As of the 1st July 2019 all rental properties will be required to have ceiling and underfloor insulation. So, what do you need to do to make sure your property is compliant?

Well, if you’ve got a bit of a ‘she’ll be right’ approach to these new law changes, chances are your bank account ‘won’t be right’. Any landlord who doesn’t comply with these new regulations could end up paying a penalty up to $4,000. Ouch.

So what do you need to do to avoid that fine?

To meet the new regulations, insulation must meet the minimum R-Value – the measure of the insulation’s resistant to heat. The R-Value your property must have will depend on whether it’s made from timber or another material and where it is in the country (colder parts of the country have higher values – makes sense right?). For more in-depth information take a look here.

If your rental property already has existing ceiling and underfloor insulation that isn’t very old, you might not have to do a thing. However, we’d still suggest getting a house inspection to check it meets the required R-Values. You don’t want to be surprised with a painful fine that could’ve been avoided.

 

The exceptions to the rule

Of course there’s always an exception, and in this case there are a few that might mean you don’t have to install the insulation in your rental property by July 2019.

If, due to design or construction constraints, it’s either not physically possible to insulate or would require major renovations, then the exception may apply to you. Installing the insulation must be ‘reasonably practicable’ for an experienced and professional insulation installer to do. If your property is a little trickier, you might have more time up your sleeve to get your property insulated.

If you think this exception may apply to your rental property, check out any exceptions and your responsibilities as a landlord in more detail here.

 

Planning to buy a rental property? It’s time for a house inspection

Besides all the other reasons for a professional house inspection before purchase, getting a property inspection done before buying a rental property will also help you identify the insulation status of the house.

Is there any insulation at all? What condition is it in? What work will be necessary so that it’ll meet the requirements of the new insulation regulations? If a house I’m checking is quite old, I’ll often recommend upgrading the insulation. Or if it looks like insulation has been laid over older light fittings, I may recommend either cutting around the light or taking the opportunity to upgrade to LED lights (which allow insulation to be laid directly over the top of them, preventing any leakages).

Getting a house inspection before you buy will help you weigh up the true cost of your new rental property and whether it is a financially viable option. A house that looks great on the outside might have some costly work needed on the inside.

 

Have a rental property or in the market for one? Get in touch today for a free quote or to book a property inspection.

 

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Why you’ll be glad you knew about re-cladding from a pre-purchase building inspection

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It may be a cliché, but the old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” rings true when it comes to the cladding on your soon-to-be new home.

All too often, homebuyers make the mistake of only looking at the face value of the cladding on their potential new property. Yes, it’s a big tick if your cladding is aesthetically pleasing, but before you sign along the dotted line it’s well worth your time and money to look a little deeper.

An older home is not going to be the same as a new (or newer) build. Unless you have a building inspection prior to purchasing, you may find yourself with a growing (and expensive) list of work that needs to be done. A pre-purchase building inspection will lay it all out for you, clear and simple, and save you unnecessary pain down the line.

 

Cladding basics

Cladding is the exterior layer of a house, whether weatherboards, timber, plaster, PVC or concrete (to name a few). It protects the house against the elements, while (hopefully) looking great too.

Unfortunately, cladding doesn’t last forever. Re-cladding is common, especially when it comes to older builds or due to leaking. Unless you’re a professional, it’s likely you won’t know what you’re looking for.  A pre-purchase building inspection helps you understand every commitment that’s involved in your purchase, and ultimately make the right purchase decision, so you can sleep easy in your new home.

 

The incidental costs & paperwork of re-cladding

The costs that come with re-cladding aren’t as straightforward as they may seem. So what do you need to consider?

  1. If a substantial amount of cladding needs to be replaced it’s more than likely you’ll need a building consent to have it re-done. This means paperwork, inspections and specific steps to follow in order to receive your Code of Compliance. This process is quite involved, so speak to a specialist.
  2. Once the old cladding is removed and the work has begun, you may also find out that the joinery needs replacing. I inspected a house being re-clad for the second time not long ago. The joinery was not replaced during the first re-clad and had leaked, causing moisture damage. If you are going to the expense of recladding, it would be a good idea to update old single glazed joinery to new double glazing.
  3. Many of us already look out for plaster cladding from the leaky homes era, but keep an eye out too for Weatherside cladding, a tempered, hardboard weatherboard. It was removed from the market in the 1980’s after discovering it was susceptible to moisture damage, which leads to water ingress. Even rusticated cedar weatherboards can cup and split allowing water ingress. Water ingress and moisture damage to a house from failed cladding systems may not claimable through your insurance.

Are you seeing how it can all add up very quickly?

 

How a pre-purchase building inspection can help

All the above does make it sound like re-cladding is an expensive nightmare to avoid, but it’s not all bad. New cladding could add value, bring a more modern appearance to your home, and ultimately give you the chance to choose the cladding that you love.  Unfortunately, the purchaser’s perception goes a long way in deciding the value of a house.

But don’t leave it to chance. Have a pre-purchase building inspection conducted so you have all the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision. Then it’ll be your choice to re-clad or keep looking for the right property.

Get in touch today to get a quote or to schedule a pre-purchase building inspection.

Everything has a lifespan: Future costs to consider in a home inspection

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Did you know honey is the only food that never expires?

Truly, a jar uncovered from the ancient Egyptians would be good to go if we discovered it today.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about houses. Everything, from stoves, to pipes, to cladding, has a life span.

The most common mistake home buyers make is to compare the nominal prices. Which house costs less? Which has the most features? It’s only after purchasing, often several years down the line, that you realise you weren’t comparing equals. A house which is $10,000 cheaper but needs to be re-cladded in five years’ time, could end up costing a significant amount of money to remedy.

Once you purchase, it’s all yours

For the seasoned investors out there, you’ll understand this feeling. You purchase a home, and suddenly, the responsibility is all yours, good or bad. Many first home buyers who have previously rented get a shock at the transition from house repairs being a simple call to the property manager, to being a serious dent in your bank account!

When you’re next in the market for a home, here are a few of the areas you’ll want a home inspection to pay close attention to:

  • External materials. It’s not just the aesthetics that matter with cladding. After all, their primary purpose is to keep the elements out—which means they’re constantly exposed to the elements. You’ve likely heard you can’t go wrong with brick and tile, and there’s a lot of truth to this. However, be sure to have a thorough look at the type of tile, as many old concrete tiles can crack or lose their protective paint coating, which can allow water ingress. Many cladding types only have a limited lifespan. Timber weatherboards with maintenance can last for many decades but are less durable than brick, and even though the home may appear much cheaper now, it could end up biting you in the pocket for years to come. Any good home inspection should highlight any potential cladding issues.
  • Hot water cylinders. Obviously, quality can vary between makes and models. I have seen cylinders over 50 years old still functioning, and some only 12 years old that need replacing. If you buy a house with a hot water cylinder from the pre-2000s, you may as well add a couple of thousand to the price of the house—the chances of having to replace in the near future are high. Even if it’s currently functioning, there’s a real risk of further damage occurring when it inevitably fails. I identify the age of the cylinder where possible.
  • Pipes. Again, types of pipes used in houses vary wildly. If your home has standard copper pipes, then you might be looking at a life span of about 50-70 years depending on the piping. Doesn’t sound too bad—but remember, there are plenty of tidy houses built in New Zealand in the mid-century, meaning that the 70-year mark is coming around quickly. Even if you have a newer home, particularly acidic water can break pipes down within 20 years, so it’s always best to get these checked thoroughly—this may require engaging a Registered Plumber.
  • Stoves. It’s easy to overlook something like the stove in a new home, given that it’s often not actually part of the building. However, whether you’re buying as a first home or an investment, you’ll need a stove in your home, and they aren’t cheap to replace. Again, if the stove is over 15 years, you may as well add another few thousand to the house’s price tag.

Outsource the stress

Without coming across too cynical, there’s a lot to be wary of when buying a home. But don’t let that ruin the experience—after all, buying property is incredibly exciting, and should be a time of pride and celebration, not stress and concern.

There’s a solution. When you come across a home that ticks all your boxes and feels right, just outsource the stressful part. Professional building inspectors can make sure you don’t make any of these straightforward mistakes. We know what to look for and can make sure when you make a decision, you’re making it with full information from a home inspection.

Here at the Property Inspectors, we want you to enjoy purchasing your next home. It’s our job to worry about the stressful stuff, so you avoid getting stung by nasty hidden costs in the years to come. Book a home inspection today.

Get a building inspection of your backyard and fencing

Quarter-acre caution: Why a building inspection goes beyond the building

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Even with the movement towards building up instead of building out, the quarter-acre Kiwi dream is still alive in New Zealand. The many issues that can arise for large sections with big outdoor areas can quickly turn your dream into a nightmare, however, so there are some things that we always keep an eye out for when doing a building inspection.

 

Setting boundaries

Fences serve one main purpose: to keep things in and keep things out. It’s important to check any fencing to make sure that it actually will accomplish this purpose – is it sturdy? Is it tall enough? Are the materials suitable and asbestos free? Though maybe not the most expensive replacement job on a property, the costs of upgrading or completely removing fences can still be costly.

If you’re not bothered about having a quality fence, you’re not necessarily off the hook straight away. Fencing also serves to mark the boundaries of a property and sometimes fences that border two properties will need to be replaced at the cost of home owners on both sides of the fence – a cost you may not have accounted for. In practice, property borders can also accidentally shift over time – but legally speaking the boundary of a property shouldn’t change, so you have to be sure when building a fence (or buying a property with a fence) that your neighbour isn’t going to kick up a fuss when he realises it’s been built 20cm over his property.

 

Deck check

Though technically up to minimum Building Code requirements, we come across a number of decks that are of poor build quality when doing a building inspection. As with fencing, the costs of replacing a deck can add up pretty quickly and are always something to be weary of when purchasing a property.

If you’ve factored in costs and you’re hoping to one day add a deck to a home that you’re looking at then it’s worth noting that decks that are built 1.5m or higher require a building consent. Consents cost money and take time – and while they’re important to ensure that no dodgy work is taking place, they can be a real nuisance when you just want to get the work done quickly. Regardless of whether it needs a building consent, decks should still be built to the building standard.

A slew of other issues can arise where decks are concerned, including if the deck’s attachment to the home can cause weather-tight issues, whether the deck is the required distance from any property boundaries and how any decking may impact the title for a cross-lease property – all things that should be checked for.

 

Other things to consider

There are a number of other outdoor issues to look out for on a property. Paving may seem like such an easy thing to get right, but we’ve seen numerous issues occur when land slopes towards the house – specifically, what happens to any surface water that accumulates on the path? The last thing you want is for water to pool up against your home, so we always check for correct cess pit installation in our property inspections.

Pergola awnings are becoming more and more common in NZ properties – it’s worth noting that, while these pergolas may look great, they more than likely require a building consent (usually dependant on whether or not they have a roof over the top of them). Don’t be caught out purchasing a property that hasn’t acquired the necessary consents – and remember that some of the work that you’ll want to carry out will require approval from the council too. You can check with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for an idea of what does and doesn’t require a building consent.

While most backyard work isn’t going to cause too many issues, there are always small problems that you may not consider – all of which can affect the sale of your house when you do decide it’s time to part ways. If in doubt, contact your local council to check on your compliance requirements or get in touch with us to have someone come check out your property through a building inspection.

My Kitchen Rules: The first stop of a property inspection

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For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Just like the vital organ that keeps our bodies running, the kitchen can be put under a lot of stress and strain due to how regularly it’s used. No other rooms in the house involves as much everyday ‘movement’ – which is why it’s one of the important areas we look at when conducting a property inspection.

 

General wear and tear

Everyday life can result in a lot of small nicks and scratches to your kitchen – whether it’s from cooking and cleaning or just packing cutlery and crockery away after hastily unloading the dishwasher. Dented cabinetry, worn out hinges and scratched benchtops can all be pretty common if you’re not extra careful.

Superficial damage isn’t always a big deal – if you buy a property you’ll likely end up doing the same kind of damage, just from everyday use. The bigger issue comes when a kitchen has been installed for a number of years and it’s now coming time to replace all that cabinetry and all those hinges that have been taking damage for a long time. Eventually you’re going to have no choice but to replace the whole lot – which will obviously come at a pretty high price. When we carry out property inspections we consider the small things that may add up to big costs in the future.

 

Appliance alert

When you buy a home you typically get a whole range of kitchen appliances included with the purchases, these are detailed in the chattels list. When inspecting a property, we check to ensure they turn on, but, at the end of the day, you can never be sure of the quality of appliance or their performance. Ovens that don’t heat at the temperature, (imagine trying to bake a pavlova), dishwashers that only provide a half-decent clean… It’s all possible. Make sure you take into consideration the fact that any property you purchase may come with some hidden extra costs.

The other thing that some people surprisingly can overlook is what appliances a kitchen actually has – we’ve had clients who’ve been very happy with their impending purchase only for us to point out that the kitchen doesn’t actually have a dishwasher – or any space for one at all!

Having a ventilation system (range hood or air extraction system) is also incredibly important for any kitchen. Without ventilation, any sort of cooking is going to result in excess moisture settling in your home.

 

Function and form

In all likelihood, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your kitchen. It’s all well and good if it’s in pristine condition and the appliances function as they should – but there are other practical considerations. How much bench space do you have? How many people can fit in the kitchen? Are there enough power outlets to have the toaster, the electric jug, and the Espresso machine plugged in at the same time? When assessing a kitchen, you really have to imagine yourself using it, and whether or not it’s going to be comfortable and practical for you.

 

Code compliance

Beyond all the factors that you need to consider with regards to whether you actually like your kitchen, it’s naturally important to also think about the legalities of what you’re purchasing.

Some renovated homes will have a second kitchen (more often than not, in a granny flat or something similar). Regularly, these additional kitchens are not code compliant and can’t legally have an oven installed (and won’t be covered for insurance in case of a fire). A quick trip to the council can clear issues like this up – we’ll make sure we flag any problems that might concern you in a building inspection.

There are a number of other legal issues to consider when it comes to kitchens: In older houses it wasn’t uncommon for gas bottles to be stored in the kitchen, under the sink – new laws require that these gas supplies now need to be held outside the house. Often during renovation processes now homeowners are looking to make their home more ‘open plan’, which typically requires the removal of walls – if you’re doing anything like this in a kitchen you’ll need to get building consent.

There are many little things like this that a lot of people don’t know to consider when assessing the merits of a kitchen, from practicalities to legalities – which is why it’s important to get experts in to assess the situation. Book a property inspection today to make sure that the kitchen you’re looking to cook up a storm in is up to scratch.

Man on roof doing maintenance after a building inspection

Roofing red flags: A building inspection for your roof

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When purchasing a new property there are a whole heap of things to be aware when it comes to roofing. Though for many people it’s probably a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’, it’s important to pay attention to the type and quality of roof a home has, because these factors can significantly impact your home’s upkeep and renovation costs. At The Property Inspectors we know what to look out for – so here are the types of things that you should keep an eye out for (and that we’ll cover in a pre-purchase building inspection report).

 

Pitch perfect

Replacing a roof can be a costly job – especially when you discover that your roof pitch is no longer compliant with the current building regulations. In the seventies, it wasn’t uncommon for houses to be built with very flat roofs, it was very common for roofs to have only 1 degree of pitch(fall). As you could expect, a lot of these homes have issues with rainwater ponding on the roof, with no fall for the water to drain. The lower the pitch, the more water will pond, which is why under the current building code requires a pitch of a minimum of 3 degrees. The problem is now when you want or have to replace the original low pitch roofing iron, you may have to comply with current Building Code Regulations or Manufacturer’s Specifications. This may significantly impact on the cost of that new roof. When it comes to low pitch roofs, it’s sometimes a case of damned if you do, damned if you don’t!

 

Form over function

People tend to favour spending money on things they can see more prominently – which is why kitchens and bathrooms tend to get done up before any money goes into areas like roofing or insulation. People are afraid to sink $20k into getting their roof done up because it’s hard to see the benefits of the renovation, which results in many homes still having their original roofs. I’ve previously fallen victim to this mindset myself, having planned to do some maintenance on my own roof but not being proactive enough (even a building inspection expert can make mistakes!). I came home one day to find water dripping through the ceiling when I knew I’d left it too late. A few loose nail fixings allowed water into the ceiling space which caused water damage – oops, I should have re-screwed the roof in the summer like I was going to! Repainting and re-screwing the roof is now high on my maintenance list of things to do.

 

No roof is immune

Like any part of the home, without regular upkeep your roof can start losing its ability to perform its function – and I think the roof’s function is possibly the most important of anything in your home! Over time, all sorts of things can happen to your roof. If it’s an old nailed roof then nails can work their way loose, sheets can come loose, and the steel can rust. If it’s a concrete tile roof, the ridge and hip capping can crack and fall out, allowing water ingress. Be careful standing on pressed iron tiles as they dent easily and can then split. At the end of the day, no matter what kind of roof you have, you need to be vigilant.

Roofs have a lifespan, which can be increased if they’re well-maintained – so if your house is from the sixties and you haven’t replaced your iron or decramastic roofing tiles yet, then make sure you get a Licenced Building Practitioner (Roofer), to inspect your roof to establish its life expectancy and maintenance required to prevent water ingress. Spending a bit on the roof now may give you the extra time you need to budget for a new roof in the future.

 

Poor design, poor installation, poor quality

Older homes tend to suffer from more bad design choices than more modern homes. Lots of old roofs don’t have roofing underlay, which means that moisture can more easily get into ceiling spaces, resulting in a condensation and, eventually, mould. Even with more modern homes, you can’t be certain that a home is going to have a high-quality roof, as the installation process can have a big impact on the end result. Poor installation can lead to the loss of a warranty too, so it always pays to be careful.  I have seen many new roofs where the protective paint coating has been damaged at installation or by other tradies standing or damaging it while carrying out other work on the building. With a building inspection you can rest easy that we’ll be on the lookout for any potential issues your home may have – roofing or otherwise.

 

If you’re at all concerned about the roof of a house that you’re looking to buy or sell, get in touch today for a building inspection report – the cost of an inspection is a lot cheaper than installing a new roof! I can’t guarantee the roof won’t leak, but I can give you an opinion as to its condition, good or bad.

Winter home inspection & maintenance – cleaning gutters and more

How to do your own winter home inspection & maintenance

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Whether you’re getting ready to sell over winter, selling after the cold season’s over, or are just keen to have your home warm, comfy, and low-maintenance over winter, now is a great time to do your own winter home inspection and maintenance.

While the Auckland weather can’t seem to make up its mind about the season currently, we do still have the odd day of sunshine – so take advantage of it by getting out and giving the outside of your home a once-over, before heading inside and looking at what aspects of your home are most likely to be affected by the dampness and cold that winter brings.

 

Here’s a few things you should cover in your winter home inspection and maintenance:

  • Get your flue cleaned: Before you’re ready to use the fireplace, make sure it’s cleared of all the soot from last year. This will help keep it nice and warm – plus you may void your home insurance if your flue or fireplace isn’t swept every year.
  • Change your heat pump/air con filter: People tend to forget to clean the filters on their heat pump at the end of winter, so yours likely still has quite a bit left in it from last year – not to mention the pollen from over summer. Give it a clean to make sure that the air it’s pumping through your home is clean and healthy.
  • Clear the leaves out of your gutters: Whether you’re selling or not, leaves in the gutters aren’t a great look – and can cause a whole heap of problems in heavy rain, especially if you have internal type gutters. Prep ahead by clearing out your gutters and downpipes for anything that might obstruct water moving easily through them. You may want to consider installing a gutter guard product if there are large trees near your home.
  • Clean out your extractor fan ducts: How long has it been since you cleaned the extractor fan in your bathroom? Is it still effectively removing dampness? Make sure it will over winter by giving it a good clean. If your bathroom doesn’t have a fan, it may be a good time to install one.
  • Invest in insulation: There are few things more frustrating than being cold inside your own home. If you’re sick of that, then insulation is one of the best ways to help your home stay warm and comfortable. And as an added bonus, it can add real value when it comes time to sell.
  • Keep an eye on leaks and mould: If you’ve already got the odd leak, or can see mould growing on your ceiling, now’s the time to take action. Whether it’s repairs to your roof that are needed, better ventilation, or even bigger issues, why not find out now, before winter really hits or before you sell?

 

Whether you’re ready to sell or are looking at buying a home, getting a home inspection report can let you know what areas of a home most need maintenance before and during winter. Get in touch today for a free quote.

Pre-purchase house inspection

6 questions to ask before booking your pre-purchase house inspection

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Before signing on the dotted line to secure your new home, you may want to get an expert’s opinion in the shape of a pre-purchase house inspection. The last thing you want to do is end up with an asset that’s going to cost you money in the long run.

There are a number of building inspectors carrying out pre-purchase inspections who you can approach, but you need to make sure that they’re going to give you useful, reliable advice. Ultimately, your decision will probably come down to how much experience each inspector has and how useful the information they provide you with will be.

So what sort of questions should you ask before a pre-purchase house inspection?

 

What experience do you have?

Before booking a pre-purchase house inspection, you want to make sure that your inspector knows what they’re doing. Find out how long they’ve been inspecting, and what they did prior to inspections that gives them insight into how homes are constructed.

I started out as a builder back in the 80s, and, combined with my time in the NZ Police as a Forensic Crime Scene Examiner, that’s given me the ability to pick up things that others might not. Industry knowledge is vital – and great observation skills are even more important.

 

What kind of qualifications do you have?

Inspectors should be experienced and qualified – completing New Zealand Building Surveyors Training Programme modules has given me knowledge on key things to look for, including weather tightness, and any inspector worth their salt should have done similar training.

The modules also cover topics such as decay, fungi and moulds, cladding systems, forensic techniques, and the properties of moisture.

 

What kind of feedback have you received from clients?

Before booking a pre-purchase home inspection, make sure you’ve heard what the inspectors’ other clients have said. Google their name or search for them on Facebook to discover unedited testimonials from clients. One of the nicest parts of the job as an inspector is hearing nice feedback, so most inspectors will share some on their website well.

One of my favourite testimonials, from Marcia Gates, highlights why I became an inspector: “I just wanted to thank you for the comprehensive and professional report you provided us with when we were considering buying a property recently. We were totally unaware of building construction and pitfalls we may have encountered without the professional report we received from you. We also thank you for being so pleasant and honest to deal with.”

 

What sort of pre-purchase house inspection reports are available?

Whether you’re a purchaser or the vendor, a home inspection report can be pretty helpful. In both situations, a report will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of a property, giving the vendor a clear view of what they might need to fix up before selling, and showing any potential buyers the true condition of the home so they can avoid any nasty surprises!

 

How quickly can I get my report?

The home buying process is long enough without reports dragging it out even more. Make sure you know upfront when you’re going to get your report so there are no nasty surprises. We turn our reports around in only one working day so that you get as much time as possible to consider what’s covered in the report.

 

Know your inspector, know your property

Pre-purchase house inspection reports are necessities when you’re considering buying or selling a property. Reports, however, are only as reliable as the inspector you’re working with. Make sure you’re working with one who’s got the experience and know-how to make sure you know what you need to know. Get a quote for a pre-purchase house inspection now

Asbestos building inspections

Keeping an eye out for asbestos

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Asbestos. We’ve all been told how bad it is for us, but what actually is it? Found in many building materials used until the late eighties, it’s a mineral that can be hazardous to your health if incorrectly managed.

Though it has many applications, these health risks meant that its use in homes has been heavily regulated in New Zealand from 1978. So although most modern houses should be asbestos-free, it’s very likely that any house built before the regulation (and for some time afterwards) will include asbestos within the materials.

This doesn’t mean that older houses are bad investments or medical emergencies waiting to happen – it just means that you have to be wary of the risks involved.

Asbestos can be relatively safe if the materials supporting it are left undisturbed. Health issues are usually caused when the fibres are inhaled, and this happens only under certain circumstances, such as during a renovation. As symptoms of inhalation only show up in the long term, it can be almost impossible to know if you’re putting yourself at risk unless you consult building inspectors or other experts.

 

Red flags to look for

Though any house built prior to the eighties might have asbestos within, as long as the materials containing the asbestos are in a secure condition you don’t need to be too concerned.

Any sort of physical trauma to materials can cause asbestos to be released. Flaky walls, damaged cement cladding, and loose insulation are all primary perpetrators. Renovating older houses can be especially challenging as the work carried out can often lead to the release of asbestos fibres. Even something as mild as children roughhousing and knocking into walls could cause issues, which is why it’s so important to be aware of any potential asbestos in your home.

If, during a building inspection, we find signs of asbestos, we will flag in the building inspection report that it could be a cause for concern in the property. However, it’s impossible to say for sure whether asbestos is present without lab testing a sample. It always pays to be wary.

 

The removal process

If you’re faced with the situation where these dangerous fibres could potentially be released into your home, then you’ll need to pay to have them removed – which is a fairly pricey endeavour. This is something worth thinking about when purchasing a house with the intention of fixing it up – you may be paying a cheaper price upfront, but costs will add up pretty quickly when you need to get professionals in.

Asbestos removal is not a simple task, which is why you’ll need to hire competent removers to do the work for you. Many builders may claim to know the removal process, but they are just as likely to try scraping it off your walls – a big mistake. Although initially a building foundations company, the team at Conqra are heavily experienced in asbestos removal and The Property Inspectors recommend them for any asbestos-related issues.

Older houses can be very attractive investments for a number of reasons, however there can also be a number of pitfalls potential buyers can find themselves in. It’s important to consider the implications of purchasing a property that uses materials containing asbestos as the long-terms effects to your health and your pocket can be significant. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with purchasing an older house, if there’s been significant damage to the property or you’re thinking of renovating then you may run into trouble.

 

Signs of asbestos are just one of the many things we look for when conducting a building inspection – so get a free quote now to make sure you’re not going to have to deal with the consequences!

Get a pre-purchase building inspection to make sure your pre-approved finance will actually come through – don't be fooled by old plumbing and a rusty roof!

Pre-approved finance: Avoid losing it with a pre-purchase building inspection

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Buying a house can be stressful at the best of times. Often it feels like there’s so much going on at once, it’s hard to get all your ducks in a row and actually buy the home you really want. So thinking about a pre-purchase building inspection might not be the first thought on your mind!

However, the advice I give to new home buyers and seasoned investors alike, is to get pre-approved finance as early on in the buying journey as possible – and make sure that any home you’re keen to buy will be covered under that finance with a pre-purchase building inspection.

The last thing you want is to fall in love with a home, sink time and energy into making an offer, then miss out because you can’t get the right finance in time or because the house isn’t covered by your pre-approval.

What is pre-approval?

When we talk about ‘getting pre-approval’, it’s basically a guarantee from your bank that they will lend you money. Two forms exist: Initial pre-approval, and specific pre-approval.

Initial pre-approval may be acquired from your bank at any time, whether you have a house in mind or not—it’s basically just an expression of how much money your bank is willing to lend. For example, you may get a letter from the bank saying you have pre-approval up to $600,000, meaning you should limit your search to houses in that range.

Specific pre-approval comes when you have a house in mind. The bank will want to know details about the condition and valuation of the house, along with your income, expenses and history, and will make a decision based on this whether they will lend you money for the particular property you’re hoping to buy. This means that you’ll be able to leave the bank armed with a letter saying, for example, that they’ll loan you up to $575,000 for 12 Pond Street.

Why is it important?

Having pre-approval takes a lot of the worry out of buying a house, and gives you an edge over other buyers.

When the market is hot, sellers will often only consider offers from buyers who have pre-approval. Think of it from their perspective: They don’t want to enter into an agreement with someone who might not even be able to come up with the money—that’d be a waste of their time, with so many other willing buyers out there. Gaining pre-approval means a fast, easy purchase, putting you one step ahead of others in your shoes.

Pre-approval also helps you set boundaries. There’s nothing worse than looking at a bunch of open homes, falling in love with your dream house, then realising the bank won’t lend you money for it.

What can prevent pre-approval?

Plenty of factors affect gaining pre-approval: Your personal finances (incomes, expenses, type of employment, credit history, assets), the house’s valuation, and condition.

The majority of these are out of your control, but not the house’s condition. Often a house can seem like it’s in great condition aesthetically, yet have major issues lying just under the surface. That’s where a pre-purchase building inspection comes in. Some banks may not give pre-approval for houses that may have:

  • Roof issues (rust, significant leaking etc)
  • Old wiring and electrical board (these may require an electrical inspector to check)
  • Dux Quest plumbing (popular in the 1970’s, but found to have serious leaking issues)
  • Age (anything pre-1940’s may have specific criteria to meet, such as no scrim)
  • Foundations (houses made with old totara poles will typically suffer from rot)
  • Cladding type(some banks have specific criteria for high risk cladding types, such as cladding on a cavity system)

A good pre-purchase building inspection will quickly unearth any of these issues.

Taking the time to invest in having any potential future home thoroughly checked over can not only mean gaining pre-approval and an advantage over other buyers, but also saving unnecessary time wasting and heartbreak, should issues arise.

Rather than leaving a building inspection to be part of the mad rush before settlement date, get it out of the way nice and early, and make sure that your financial pre-approval is secured with a pre-purchase building inspection.

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