After inspecting hundreds of homes across Brisbane, we’ve seen our fair share of property problems. But every now and then, a house comes along that really drives home (excuse the pun!) the reason that a pre-purchase building and pest inspection is so important.
Today, we’re lifting the lid on one of the worst houses we’ve ever inspected, and the lessons to be learned from it …
“Dream Home” – or Nightmare in Waiting?
At first glance, this 50 year old timber high set home on the southside of Brisbane looked like a bargain.
Desirable location, reasonable price, and plenty of “potential”. But once our independent building inspector began investigating, some serious red flags quickly appeared.
The first alarm bells rang in the living room. The ceiling appeared to have partially collapsed, with black plastic sheeting hanging down. Yikes! This wasn’t just cosmetic damage – it was a sign of underlying structural or moisture-related problems.
In cases like this, we recommend engaging a licensed builder for further investigation to determine the root cause and to carry out repairs as necessary.
Electrical Safety Issues
Electrical safety was another major concern. We identified several electrical deficiencies throughout the house – including loose wires hanging down from a light fitting – all posing a real risk of electric shock or even fire. Any electrical defects should be addressed promptly by a licensed electrician to ensure the home is safe to occupy.
Unfortunately, things didn’t improve outside. The external stairs had several missing or loose treads, creating a clear trip and fall hazard.
Testing out the Timber Balcony
Then there was the condition of the timber balcony – some sections were rotten, with some verandah posts completely missing. This was not only unsafe but also non-compliant with current safety standards.
Plus, there was evidence of live termites!
Plumbing Problems
Finally, we discovered the hot water system lacked a tempering valve. This is a critical safety feature designed to prevent scalding by controlling water temperature, and it needed to be rectified urgently to meet modern safety regulations.
Know It Before You Own it
Some issues in a property can be glaringly obvious – like the loose electrical wiring – but others, like termites, can be difficult to detect. A house that can look appealing on the surface, especially in Brisbane’s competitive market, can turn out to be a money pit for the unwary home buyer.
Knowledge is power, and our thorough building and pest reports help you to make the right choice, whether that be to:
- buy with confidence;
- negotiate a better price or for issues to be addressed before purchase;
- or even crash that contract if necessary!
In this particular case, the purchase went ahead. Based our our findings, the buyers decided that while the property wasn’t worth renovating, it was ideal for demolition and rebuilding.
If you’ve signed a contract for a property in the Brisbane area, contact Trimax Building Inspections – your local independent building inspector – and make sure you know it before you own it!