Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jul 22, 2013 11:45 am Hi, We bought an established house (about 30 yrs old) and are looking at settlement in mid August. Can you please list the things that I need to check during final inspection please? I have seen some queries on newly built ones but couldn't find anything for established ones. Appreciate any help. Best Regards, Sid Re: Final Inspection for Established House 2Jul 22, 2013 4:00 pm I did my own over a few visits and there are that many things to look for evidence of -- termites, any irregularities in roof line, salt damp or rising damp, leaking shower recesses, cracks, drummy tiles, amateur renos, doors binding etc etc, to name but a few. Unless you know what to look for it could get VERY expensive later, and may pay to get a professional to do an inspection. Arfur Re: Final Inspection for Established House 3Jul 22, 2013 4:06 pm Hi Arfur, Thanks a lot for the response. Actually, I should have mentioned this in previous post. I had a professional building inspector and pest inspector booked in for inspection as condition for offer and it looks in a reasonably good condition according to their report. So, we are happy with that part of building and went ahead with contract. But, I am not sure what else do I look for during the final inspection, which they said can be scheduled a week before settlement as it will be done by us (and no professional help). Anything specific that needs to be checked or just a regular visit to confirm all fittings etc are existing as promised? Best Regards, Sid Re: Final Inspection for Established House 4Jul 22, 2013 5:37 pm It's pointless checking all those things at the final inspection. It's too late. The point of a final inspection is to ensure the house is in the same condition that you purchased it in. For example if the dish washer was there when you purchased but is gone now you can delay settlement until it is replaced. This happened to me. Before settlement thr dishwasher disappreared. Then they replaced it with an old one. It was in the agents photo so now denying it was wrong. On the day of settlement they put the new one on the back step. Re: Final Inspection for Established House 5Jul 23, 2013 11:01 am Travelbug I think if you read the OP's question again you will see he had professional inspections before he signed the contract. However I agree with the rest of your reply, as it's amazing how many vendors would take the paint off the walls if they could, prior to handover. In my experience it was a cheap wall-hung extendable clothesline and a small cheap pine cabinet, but as I would have torn them out anyway I let them have their small 'victory' and forgot about forwarding their mail. Arfur Re: Final Inspection for Established House 7Jul 23, 2013 12:44 pm I would print out as many pic of the place that you you (if you took any during the buying process, ones off the real estate's website etc), take these with you to the inspection, to check appliances have been down graded, curtains removed, etc. I would also check the placement of furniture to check for damage to walls etc. Finally I would be tempted to take more pics at the final inspection, just to make sure nothing is changed between now and settlement. Re: Final Inspection for Established House 8Jul 23, 2013 5:02 pm Quote: I would also check the placement of furniture to check for damage to walls etc. Good point. It reminds me of a woman who unwisely bought a unit after 1 open-inspection. She found out on handover that in a bid to spruce up the place for the sale, the vendors did a quick repaint, and had painted around furniture which was against the walls, leaving an outline once they had moved out. Sounds unbelieveable, but its true. Arfur Re: Final Inspection for Established House 9Jul 23, 2013 6:14 pm Uncle Arfur Travelbug I think if you read the OP's question again you will see he had professional inspections before he signed the contract. However I agree with the rest of your reply, as it's amazing how many vendors would take the paint off the walls if they could, prior to handover. In my experience it was a cheap wall-hung extendable clothesline and a small cheap pine cabinet, but as I would have torn them out anyway I let them have their small 'victory' and forgot about forwarding their mail. I think YOU need to read the OP's post. There is NOTHING about before contract in the intitial post (that you responded to). It says what to check at the FINAL inspection before settlement. That is what I answered to. Re: Final Inspection for Established House 10Jul 24, 2013 5:29 pm Oh sorry and I stand corrected it was mentioned in his second post Arfur Re: Final Inspection for Established House 11Oct 29, 2013 8:09 am With the final inspection, basically you are looking that it is in the same condition as when you agreed to purchase the place. Go in and check that the oven, dishwasher (if there is one) airconditioning and all appliances that are coming with the house work. We purchased our last house and when we went in, the previous owners had moved out already and it was FILTHY. The whole house stunk of smoke, the toilets were stained inside, there were ball marks and hand prints over the walls. They had left all their junk behind that they did not want. The house was not in the condition that we had seen it in, but as we were told in NSW it is not a condition of sale that the property is left clean, only that they mow the lawns. We didnt have a leg to stand on delaying settlement and was told if we did not settle we would be in breach of contract and charged interest. The only thing we did hold the owners to, was $2,000 held back at settlement as they had tried to take things off the walls and had damaged the walls badly. Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Final Inspection for Established House 12Oct 29, 2013 8:45 am Hi sid65stud You did well to have the house professionally inspected. Your inspector should have taken photos as reference of condition so they will help in case there are any questions. However you need to remember that pre purchase inspection does not cover everything and many items are excluded. This is why there is a gulf of difference between pre purchase report and expert report. With pre purchase report you get condition. With expert report you also get the right advice. Your inspector should be advising you what to do, we include general maintenance and check list with our reports. You should give your inspector a call. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog i would suggest nothing is unreasonable for PCI. we did all sorts, including checking the hot water, checking all the GPO's had power, testing that the showers were… 9 98525 The significant date is when receive final payment invoice Check that section of contract Bit of fluff by builders prior to that 1 15825 Hi, I am approaching end of the build. My final invoice will be given to me soon to pay. Some context before I ask my question. 1. My builder wont do the landscaping or… 0 3826 |