Buying a property without having any pre-purchase building inspections done is just asking for trouble
. No matter how sharp your eyes are there is no way you can see the things that professionals from building inspection services are trained to see. Or you may see evidence of some problem and not recognise it for what it is.
Termites hide their activities from the light of day and even if you saw a little misting of sawdust somewhere on the ground during your termite inspections you may not associate it with the work of these wretched little timber eaters. Besides which, a proper building pest inspection is quite likely to be a messy, dirty business as you need to both crawl under the flooring and poke around in the ceiling cavity.
Asbestos inspection is another serious part of buying any property. Only a professional is likely to be able to tell whether the walls or ceilings contain old asbestos; after all, it is usually covered with paint. But if you were to buy a property containing old asbestos it could cost you a great deal more to have it removed safely.
Professional dilapidation surveys are a vital aspect of the building or renovating process. These are done not on your own property, but on adjoining properties to prevent any litigation. You dont want the neighbours to blame your constructions for causing the damage and cracks in their own buildings or pavement areas.
Very often any damage has gone unnoticed by the neighbours, but the work being done on your property brings it to their attention. They then believe that the damage has been done by your builders. But a dilapidation survey will ensure that a photographic record is made of the state of adjoining buildings, garden furniture, kerbing, pavements and driveways before your work commences. Thus you will have proof of the state those buildings were in before your construction started. This kind of survey is often required by local councils, but builders are now starting to see the benefits and having it done for their own protection from litigation.