| It is an exciting time. You have decided on the house | | | | member of their industry association and if they follow |
| you want to buy and are on the point of submitting a | | | | the Code of Conduct of that association. Do they |
| bid to the vendor. Before you do this, it is essential that | | | | have a set procedure for settling any disputes which |
| you employ the services of a home building inspector | | | | may arise, and if so, what is the method they use? An |
| to ascertain whether this is indeed the dream home | | | | experienced and competent home building inspector |
| you thought it was. | | | | should be happy to answer all of these questions, and |
| Ask any friends, relatives or colleagues who have | | | | in fact should be pleased that you are taking his job so |
| recently bought a house who they used for their | | | | seriously. |
| house inspection, and if they would recommend that | | | | The report is crucial to this whole process, and you |
| person. If they would recommend them, get the details | | | | need to find out what the format of the final product |
| and make contact. An industry association will also be | | | | will be. Ask for one or two sample reports, and find |
| able to furnish you with the names and numbers of | | | | out how long the inspector envisages that the report |
| reputable building inspectors. Failing that, consult the | | | | will take to complete and be sent to you. Find out |
| Yellow Pages. | | | | whether a verbal report is to be provided on the day, |
| When working out who is the best building inspector | | | | and if so, how much this will cost. It is also an important |
| for you, ask to see the inspector's building consulting | | | | step to ask whether the building inspector is |
| license. Any hesitation he shows in supplying this should | | | | independent of the vendor or whether he is acting as |
| be a warning sign to you and it is wise to seek | | | | their agent. |
| another consultant. Ask for details of the building | | | | Although the report will give details of any damage |
| inspector's experience in the industry, his qualifications | | | | inflicted by pests such as termites, it may not include |
| and details of the insurance cover he has for public | | | | details of whether these pests are currently present, |
| risk, professional indemnity and for the death or injury | | | | so you may want to get a separate report to cover |
| of any employees. The names and contact details of | | | | this. The major problems of the house will be included |
| three clients with similar properties should also be | | | | in the basic report, but you may want to pay more to |
| asked for. You should contact these people and ask | | | | find out what the cost of repairing these problems is |
| whether they would recommend the services of this | | | | likely to be, as well as the cost of minor repairs and |
| building inspector. Was the work carried out | | | | maintenance. |
| professionally, and was the report comprehensive, | | | | Once you have received the report from your home |
| picking up any potential problems? | | | | building inspector, hopefully all will be in order, and you |
| Do not stop at contacting one consultant. It is helpful to | | | | can have the confidence to make a firm bid on the |
| get three quotes for the inspection of the property and | | | | property and finally become its proud owner. |
| the report. Ask each of them whether they are a | | | | |