Has The Building Inspector Found A Serious Problem with the Foundations?
It is important to be aware right from the start that not every issue found by a building inspector is serious. The aim of a building inspection is to give a prospective buyer an unbiased, no holds barred picture of the property from the inside out. To uncover elements of the home via a visual inspection including the roof, ceilings, walls, plumbing and even the foundations.
So if your pre-purchase building inspection report identifies concerns with the structural elements of the home and its foundations, is that a deal-breaker?
Red alert! Problems with the foundations of your dream home
Some of the worst problems uncovered in a building inspection are often related to the structure of a property. Whether it is termites or signs that the home is sinking, the good news is that there are solutions to rectify any problems. The more noticeable concerns would be cracks in the walls of a home, windows and doors that no longer open and close with ease, and even floors that are on a slant. There is no denying that a major structural problem is every home owner’s worst nightmare and if this is something reported by your independent building inspector it certainly can be a cause of concern. But it need not always be.
What should you do?
Seek professional advice from an engineer
The first step should always be to call in an experienced professional to give you an accurate analysis of the severity of the issue and the expected costs to repair and rectify problems.
It is always wise to put your purchase decisions on hold until this is completed so you are completely aware of what the expected costs could be. It’s not always a deal-breaker, though; so don’t give up too soon.
Most properties undergo some form of settling overtime and there can be some minor cracks as a result. This is where an expert is needed to ascertain whether the cracks are a big deal or not, and whether their location, size and even their pattern indicate a more serious problem.
Repairs to the foundations of a home
Depending on the severity of what has been uncovered by the building inspector and the report by the engineer, there are a number of solutions that can be considered.
Buying a house with foundation issues means you may end up having additional repairs to deal with down the line; however, if the foundations are repaired by a reputable contractor, the home will be as strong and sound as it has ever been and should not present an ongoing concern.
There are plenty of ways to repair a concrete foundation without having to start from scratch; however, it is important to be aware that older homes are more susceptible to foundation problems and these can render a house unsafe if not detected early. Patching cracks may set you back a few thousand dollars whilst addressing the foundation of a home may be a more significant dent in the budget—but you’ll only know this for sure once a professional is engaged.
Never underestimate the value of getting an unbiased, professional opinion.
Negotiating with the vendor
In many instances, a seller may be willing to either undertake repairs on the home in light of the findings or work with you to negotiate a reduced purchase price for the home.
The concerns found should not necessarily mean that you walk away and turn your back on your dream home. The most important thing to realise is that you have been able to identify the issues before you buy and therefore you’re equipped with the facts to help you make the right decision. Whether concerns found by a building inspector are a deal-breaker or not depends on the individual. Consider what your preferences are. What your financial position is.
The importance of a pre-purchase building inspection
From the smallest of issues to the largest structural problems, don’t underestimate the importance of calling in a building inspector to undertake a pre-purchase inspection. As a prospective home buyer, take this upon yourself to seek an independent perspective. Don’t rely on the vendor’s report, and avoid seeking referrals from real estate agents.
When the purchase of a home is one of the largest investments you may make in your life it is important to know exactly what you are buying. A building inspector does not tell you whether you should buy a house or not. Rather, you are going to be handed a detailed, honest and descriptive report giving you the ins and outs of the property. Based on the report, you are then empowered to make the right decision for you.
Give Action Property Inspections a call. Seeking the services of an experienced building inspector, will give you confidence to make the right decision for you and your family, as you’ll be armed with the facts and options.
The report given to you at the end of the inspection may highlight aspects of the home that will require attention in the future. It could suggest there are hidden concerns beneath a fresh coat of paint or it may very well alert you to some potentially serious concerns with the foundations. Structural damage is not always a deal-breaker but it is something to pay close attention to. And depending on the severity you may run the risk of an unexpected outlay.
Everyone looks to buy a home for different reasons. You may be planning to knock down a property and rebuild, you may have a large budget to address any issues found or you may have experience in building yourself and are comfortable that you can work on some of the minor items uncovered.
If you do decide that the report has presented too much in the way of future repair work, you may decide that this dream home is actually not the right property for you. The choice is ultimately yours.
When you choose Action Property Inspections, you can be confident that your dream property will be given a thorough inspection, inside and out.