In this article we will let you know why it’s so important to have a building and pest inspection on a property prior to renovating. Many think that an older run-down place may not need an inspection because the place is getting a complete overhaul anyway, but that’s not the case at all.
If you’re looking to purchase a property with the intentions to renovate whether it be a quick flip or your future family home, we highly suggest booking a building and pest inspection with CO-SPEC through our web site www.co–spec.com.au. With our thorough detailed reports, you will be able to make an informed decision to determine if the place is right for you and has the structural bones ready for a renovation.
Some of the major issues we find with older places ready to renovate include major subsidence and cracking to external walls. Not only does this make it hard to repair external cladding but can put your entire house out of square including roof lines and floor levels causing doors and window frames to bind and separate causing deterioration and possible water ingress to many areas.
Subsidence can be caused by many underlining issues depending on soil classes and how the original block was filled and compacted prior to the build. Drainage issues / landscaping contours around a property are a leading cause to major subsidence. If you are looking to buy a property with subsidence it is highly recommended having a structural engineer conduct a further inspection to determine the cause of the problem and give an accurate forecast of deterioration and advise what needs to be done to rectify the issue and if underpinning or a resin injection is required to lift the problematic areas.
Another major red flag when renovating a property is termite damage. Some termite damage from the outside can look very minor but these sneaky little timber pests’ can make their way throughout an entire property causing extensive structural damage to timber framing members including wall frames, floor joists and roof frames.
Unfortunately, the Gold Coast is the perfect climate for termites, and we must learn to live with them cautiously. Most properties on the Gold Coast we have performed building and pest inspections on, have had termite damage here and there, whether it be the garden bed, fences or carports there are always early signs of their presence. The problem is once they make it inside a property the damage can be concealed and widespread causing major structural damage.
A lot of properties with termite damage are advised to have invasive inspection prior to settlement to try and determine the full extent of damage hidden behind the wall linings and roof cavities in hard-to-reach areas. This can be a great way to get an idea of the full extent of damage but doesn’t always pick everything up. Once you start to renovate a home its very likely you may find more damage hidden away that has the potential to cost thousands more in repairs than initially expected, so caution is advised.
Another costly issue to be cautious of when looking to take part in a renovation on the Gold Coast is Asbestos. This is a material known by many and used a lot during certain eras within building products and materials. A lot of costal properties are riddled with Asbestos products like fences, roof coverings, Gutters, wall linings, eves linings and more which can make a renovations costs blow out a lot sooner than expected.
This is a product that should only be removed and dumped by licensed professionals and the costs involved are quite expensive. It is always advised to have the trained eye of a professional and licensed building inspector, look over the property you wish to purchase for a renovation and advise you on what may or may not be asbestos.
Asbestos is a dangerous building product to anyone looking to conduct a renovation and it is advised that an asbestos test is taken on any products that have the potential to be asbestos prior to removal or any renovations are undertaken. It is also advised that licensed and professional Asbestos removalists are engaged to remove any of the product prior to replacing materials in areas.
So before you think about buying a seemingly perfect looking property on the Gold Coast to start your renovations, make sure to get a comprehensive building and pest inspection from CO-SPEC. Make sure you know exactly what you’re in for prior to renovating and be sure there are no hidden secrets behind the walls and within the roof cavities that have the potential to blow out a renovation budget in the blink of an eye.
Call us on 0409 693 974 during business hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm to speak to Robert.
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