So you are about to purchase your new house, it could be your first or your tenth. Whatever number it is it is still one of the biggest investments any of us will make and therefore it is important to get it right. In this article we are going to focus on the structural elements of your new home.
No matter what age the property is which you are about to purchase there are some checks that should be made. These are obviously less important in newer homes but still worth checking.
1. The Roof – Check the condition and have an idea when it will need maintenance, this is a costly job to have done and if you have to replace your roof you can be talking thousands of dollars.
2. Plumping – It is worth checking your water pressure, check for visible leaks etc. If in doubt get a plumber, a few dollars spent now may save thousands in the long run.
3. Electrics – Check wiring is safe and up to code, old wiring may cause problems, if the house has to be rewired it is going to cost a considerable sum.
4. Under floor – Ensure the piles or foundations are sound.
5. Insulation – In new houses I doubt this will be a problem as houses now have to be insulated in order to reach compliance, however older houses may not have any insulation and therefore it may cost quite a bit to retro fir insulation.
6. The structural condition of the property – Check the overall condition of the building and surrounding property. Is there cracks, in the paths or walls, does it look like the building may have moved. If so clarify what the problem was.
7. Inspect any alternations or extra building which do not appear on the LIM or plans of the houses.
8. While all houses can suffer from leaking if not construction properly it is important to check and renovations made around the early 1990’s, items to look for in houses which had work done in this time are: Claddings of the monolithic type this would include texture coated fibre cement, stucco etc. If there is more than one cladding used. Lack of roof eaves. Any balconies which are above rooms. Gutters inside. Any cladding which touches the ground.
Ensure to check the property for any signs of water damaged or leakage. Tell tale signs are mould, cracks, bulging walls and skirting etc. Check under carpets and rugs to ensure they are not hiding nasties.
In general you need to complete a more though inspection of a house before purchase than you would of a car. So if you are in doubt of your own skills and feel you will miss something enlist the services of a building inspector to work on your behalf. It will be well worth it in the long run.
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