Green homes symbolise a sustainable lifestyle, one encompassing energy efficiency, water conservation, and eco-friendly materials all designed to minimise environmental impact and promote well-being. Designs that feature everything from solar panels to energy-efficient appliances, landscaping considerations and waste reduction initiatives are being built more frequently in and around Brisbane. Brisbane City Council’s Green Building Incentives are paving the way for more green homes to come on the market. These additions are also great for renovating for profit. Whilst this is a positive, essential building inspections, which play a pivotal role in ensuring that these older green homes continue to meet the highest of standards, are more critical than ever. (Unfortunately, a lot of modern homes aren’t great for installing solar.)
A green home building inspection is effectively a layered process – not only will you require the services of an independent building and pest property inspector but also qualified electricians and technicians who can assess and confirm your home meets the green star rating that you are paying for.
So, who does what?
Building Inspectors – What Do They Do?
It is important to remember that a building inspector’s role is to independently assess various aspects of a property to identify any significant defects in the property. Examinations can vary, however typically extend to the allotment (i.e., the driveway, garden structures, fencing, retaining walls, patios, and verandahs), the house exterior, underfloor areas, the roof, the ceiling cavity, walls, and insulation to identify signs of damage, deterioration, or defects.
A pre-purchase building inspector may also do a limited visual check to identify the presence of electrical systems, fixed electrical appliances, lighting, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems, and smoke detectors. However, full operational and safety inspections of these items can only ever be carried out by the relevant qualified professionals (a licensed electrician and/or a licensed plumber).
All findings are documented in detail outlining any issues or recommendations for repairs, improvements, or further investigation by the appropriately qualified professional.
Green Home Inspections – What a Building Inspector Won’t Do
Your standard building and pest inspectors do not carry out ‘green home building inspections’. We carry out inspections to identify defects present in the property. When it comes to inspecting a green home, it can also be evaluated from an additional angle – the Green Star rating.
Green homes are built with a focus on energy and water efficiency. Energy-efficient features like insulation and double-glazed windows are installed to ensure they meet green building standards. Then there are water conservation measures, such as low-flow fixtures and rainwater catchment. Consideration is also given to the overall structure, design, and layout of the home reflecting on natural lighting, ventilation, and thermal mass.
Your inspector will identify the materials your home is built from and whether there are any defects. Your building inspector may identify whether some energy-efficient features exist, and the type installed (i.e., the type of insulation, whether the windows are double-glazed) and whether they are in good repair. However, your building inspector will not be able to say whether these features meet the standard required for a Green Star rating.
Building inspectors are not qualified to undertake electrical work. An appropriately qualified electrician is required to inspect and undertake testing of solar battery systems and electricity saving devices to ensure that everything is in good order. Building inspectors are not plumbers. Your building inspector will check allotment drainage generally, gutters and downpipes for disrepair, and visually inspect tapware for obvious defects. However, a qualified plumber is the right person to inspect water saving systems for operational functionality and safety.
Inspecting Your Brisbane ‘Green Home’
If you are thinking about purchasing a green home, check with the Green Building Council Australia to identify whether the home is, in fact, certified with a Green Star rating. Whilst more homes include ‘green’ features (and may even be advertised as a green home), they may not actually be certified as a green building.
Building and Pest Inspection – The Essential Inspection
Even as green homes are gaining in popularity, some of these developments break a few classic rules about building and pest damage prevention. For example, gardens and greenery up against structural features are a potential concern with the increased chances of pooling water undermining the soundness of the home’s foundation and giving pests, like termites, easy access to enter the structure.
Your independent pre-purchase building inspector will give you a full and unbiased report as to the current condition of the property, noting any defects, so you can make an informed decision about the purchase of your green home.
Electrical and Automation Inspection – An Additional Inspection
If the home has a solar battery system and/or automated electricity saving devices, you will require an appropriately qualified electrician to carry out that inspection.
Green Star Rating Testing – An Additional Inspection
If the property you are buying is being advertised as a ‘Green Building’ you should check with the Green Building Council Australia to verify whether the property has a Green Star rating. You will also need a specialist technician to undertake Green Star rating testing to verify that the ‘green’ features you are paying for are all still in good working order.
There are all kinds of architectural issues inspectors check out thoroughly – check out our list!