Building Inspectors
Building Inspectors
A building inspector may be engaged for various reasons, whether it is a pre-purchase report to assess the condition of a house and ascertain any potential issues that could require remediation or to inspect for moisture or other hazardous substances such as methamphetamine or asbestos.
Often, a building inspector’s report will provide valuable and necessary information to inform decision-making processes about a property going forward.
What services do building inspectors provide?
- Building reports
- Moisture testing
- Meth testing
- Safe and sanitary reports
- Weathertightness reports
- Residential and commercial building inspections
What will a building inspector cover in a building report?
A building inspector is generally a professional with a relevant and current qualification in the field who is certified to provide an accurate report about an aspect of a building. In a residential building report, generally conducted by a potential purchaser, a building inspector may provide information about the following elements of a property and their condition:
- Floors, walls, ceilings and doors
- Windows and glazing
- Heating and electrical fittings
- Appliances
- Bathrooms and bathroom fittings
- Electrical, wiring and security systems
- Plumbing
- Ceiling cavity and insulation
Exterior elements a building report may cover include:
- Subfloor
- Foundations, joists and bearers
- Insulation and ventilation
- External structure and cladding
- Roof and flashings
- Stormwater systems
- Joinery
- Drainage
- Decking, patios, pools
When do building inspections take place?
In the case of a pre-purchase inspection, in many cases, a building report will be requested before or in conjunction with a conditional offer being made on a property.
However, there are many other occasions when building inspections can take place. These include before or after a residential tenancy, following a natural disaster or earthquake, or to understand the condition of a property or particular part of it.
During construction of a building, or during a renovation that required a building consent, a council inspector will inspect the building work at various stages to ensure it is consistent with the consented plans and meets the conditions of the Building Code.
A building inspection may also take place to assess different systems, such as fire, security, electrical, plumbing, ventilation or drainage.