If you plan on buying a building, you need to make sure that you’ve had the building inspected before you take the negotiations any further. While the building make look great at first glance, there can be numerous amounts of issues that may require even an extensive home renovation. Likewise, pests can lurk within buildings without being noticed upon a walk through of the site. In this article, let’s take a look at how to find the best building and pest inspection in the Gold Coast.
In general, there are some signs that a building and pest inspector is qualified to inspect your prospective purchase. The first major step for you is to check the inspectors licensing and qualifications. In most Australian states, building inspectors are required to hold a builders license that is in good standing, as well as hold licenses in building inspection and pest control. Ask the inspector to see his licenses and qualifications before you hire him. Good inspection agents should be more than willing to provide you with copies of their licenses and qualifications for your own records.
Another important thing to consider is the inspectors reputation. You should ask the building and pest inspector for some references from past inspections. Of course, this isn’t where you should stop. Look for reviews on websites like Yelp, Google reviews, and other home service sites that serve Australia. You can get a good idea of the serviceman’s quality by scanning the reviews that have been left by customers. Keep in mind that one or two bad reviews among dozens shouldn’t scare you off, but if they have multiple negative reviews that are relatively recent, you may want to reconsider.
Be sure to ask some key questions when talking to the inspector or their representative. See if they are members of any professional business guilds or organizations. If they aren’t, that shouldn’t be taken as an indicator that they are untrustworthy, but if they are, it’s something you can use to validate their professional standing. Be sure to request a sample report. This will allow you to get a feel for what you will ultimately be paying for. It also let’s you check to see if they adequately describe defects and give suggestions on how to fix them.
Another question to ask is about their business history. How long have they been in business? How many clients have they served? Have they done any special training or courses? These questions allow you to get a better idea of the inspectors history and training. Also ask if you can walk with them as they conduct the inspection. This is important for two reasons. The first being that any respectable professional will be more than willing to show you their work. The second reason is that most professionals admit that you get more from your inspection if the inspector actually explains and shows you the issues as they find them.
Lastly, you should ask your building and pest inspector exactly which areas of the building will be covered during the inspection. Some areas may be unreachable depending on the weather. You should also check to see if inspections of septic tanks and other ancillary locations are included or cost extra. Having your Australian building professionally inspected for pests and defects is one of the most important purchases you’ll make during the buying process, so make sure you get the best service possible.
