Buying a property is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life! If you are buying your first home the chances are you have saved hard for a long time, sacrificed nights out with friends and possibly worked multiple jobs to save every, last dollar that you need to buy your dream home. If you are buying an investment property you will be looking for a property that is going to make you money not cost money.
We have all heard the stories of the friend of a friend that purchased the perfect house only to find out after the settlement and a couple of blissful weeks of home ownership they discovered major issues in their property that required substantial funds to correct.
We have all heard the stories of the friend of a friend that purchased the perfect house only to find out after the settlement and a couple of blissful weeks of home ownership they discovered major issues in their property that required substantial funds to correct.
As part of the purchase of any property it always advisable to undertake a Building and Pest Inspection (and to ensure that as a condition of the contract), whilst the Building and Pest inspector will identify any surface issues that may be present, it is unlikely that they will provide or have the knowledge base to provide in-depth assessments of Plumbing issues that may be present.
When purchasing a property some key points and questions to bear in mind are:
1. Has the property been renovated? If the answer is yes, then find out who performed the renovation. Was it a reputable builder? Was it an owner/builder or “DIY”? If it was the latter, then a full assessment is advisable.
Remember that Plumbing and Gas Fitting is Regulated in Australia and restrictions exist on the type of work that can be performed by unlicensed persons.
2. What is the condition of the roof and guttering? Was the report on the condition of the roof completed after a physical inspection?
3. Are there trees surrounding the property? Have the pipes been checked to ensure that tree roots are not penetrating them.
4. Position of the sewerage pipes? Can the vendor provide you with a copy of the sewerage plans? In our experience, some older properties actual sewerage plans don’t match the layout of the pipes. These details are handy to know if you are planning on installing a pool or doing something to the property, relocating sewerage pipes can be costly, especially if they haven’t been worked into the budget!!
5. How old is the hot water system on the property? A hot water system can last 15-20 years if they have been serviced regularly, like a car servicing can affect the lifespan of a hot water system, improper maintenance can reduce the life span of a hot water system to 8 to 10 years, and in some cases even lower. A new hot water system average (approx) is between $2000 and $3000.
6. Does the property have any Gas operated appliances? When were they last checked?
Some smaller things to pay attention to are:
1. What is the quality and age of the tapware and fittings in the house? Do they all match throughout the house? If not, why not? This could be a possible indication that there may be an issue and if the fittings are inexpensive that may provide some insight into the
2. Signs of fresh painting in the bathroom? Check this has not be done to cover up possible water damage issues.
The above list is only an indication of items that should be checked prior to purchase and is certainly not an exhaustive list.
To ensure your peace of mind contact us at Plumbnorth to complete a pre-inspection of your property. Our Plumbers combined have more than 55 years’ experience in Plumbing and Gas Fitting.
Contact our friendly team today on 0411 748 650!
When purchasing a property some key points and questions to bear in mind are:
1. Has the property been renovated? If the answer is yes, then find out who performed the renovation. Was it a reputable builder? Was it an owner/builder or “DIY”? If it was the latter, then a full assessment is advisable.
Remember that Plumbing and Gas Fitting is Regulated in Australia and restrictions exist on the type of work that can be performed by unlicensed persons.
2. What is the condition of the roof and guttering? Was the report on the condition of the roof completed after a physical inspection?
3. Are there trees surrounding the property? Have the pipes been checked to ensure that tree roots are not penetrating them.
4. Position of the sewerage pipes? Can the vendor provide you with a copy of the sewerage plans? In our experience, some older properties actual sewerage plans don’t match the layout of the pipes. These details are handy to know if you are planning on installing a pool or doing something to the property, relocating sewerage pipes can be costly, especially if they haven’t been worked into the budget!!
5. How old is the hot water system on the property? A hot water system can last 15-20 years if they have been serviced regularly, like a car servicing can affect the lifespan of a hot water system, improper maintenance can reduce the life span of a hot water system to 8 to 10 years, and in some cases even lower. A new hot water system average (approx) is between $2000 and $3000.
6. Does the property have any Gas operated appliances? When were they last checked?
Some smaller things to pay attention to are:
1. What is the quality and age of the tapware and fittings in the house? Do they all match throughout the house? If not, why not? This could be a possible indication that there may be an issue and if the fittings are inexpensive that may provide some insight into the
2. Signs of fresh painting in the bathroom? Check this has not be done to cover up possible water damage issues.
The above list is only an indication of items that should be checked prior to purchase and is certainly not an exhaustive list.
To ensure your peace of mind contact us at Plumbnorth to complete a pre-inspection of your property. Our Plumbers combined have more than 55 years’ experience in Plumbing and Gas Fitting.
Contact our friendly team today on 0411 748 650!
