Bought an apartment of the plan around 10months ago and received an email from the builders that I can do my pre-settlement inspection next week (week starting 10th of July)
I want to know if I can engage a building inspector to come with me and do the report with any issues or anything that needs to be fixed.
Can anyone tell me if this can be done and I have the rights to bring the building inspector with me? Or do I need to just go over everything on my own.
Thanks
Id bring one as they have (usually) a better eye for issues and acceptable fixes.
Not exactly sure how it works in VIC, but in NSW and ACT contracts will almost always say they will use their best endeavours to fix things you pick up in the pre-settlement inspection, but you can't delay settlement because they haven't (unless it is a major defect). The unfixed issues will then fall under the 90 day maintenance/defects period.
Again for NSW and ACT you usually only get to do one list of defects in the 90 day period, so best off waiting until towards the end of the period when you have had a chance to notice more of the issues.
If it is similar to that in VIC, I would recommend waiting until a couple of weeks before the end of your defects period and then having the building inspection done rather than doing it now.
What do you think is going to happen within 3 months, that didnt happen already ? This advice is not good, as it reduces your ability to objectionably have faults fixed in a timely manner, as the 90 day period approaches, you will become more frantic and miss alot that you wouldnt have missed if you did it in a timely manner.
Get a professional asap, take photos, if anything changes within 90 days, you will know about it.
What do you think is going to happen within 3 months, that didnt happen already?
You will notice a lot more of the small defects which, while not major or serious by any stretch, most people would want fixed. Things like sticking doors, loose tiles, rattling air con, etc.
it reduces your ability to objectionably have faults fixed in a timely manner
What does this even mean? Basically nothing in your defects period gets done in a timely manner.
as the 90 day period approaches, you will become more frantic and miss alot that you wouldnt have missed if you did it in a timely manner.
Why would you become frantic and miss things as the end of the period approaches? You make a list for yourself of things as you notice them within the 90 day period. You wait until towards the end of the 90 day period to submit the list, because you only get to put in one list and you want it to include as many items as possible. There is no rushing involved.
Yes, anything big you are probably going to notice at the start, but it takes time and living in the house/unit for a while to notice the other minor things. Why wouldn't you wait a little bit and give yourself time to notice those as well?
if anything changes within 90 days, you will know about it.
You might know about it, but you won't be able to make a claim for it as you have already submitted your one list at the start.
The big one is leaks and faulty plumbing, sealing of windows. There is very little chance you will notice this during pre settlement. This type of thing only shows up after regular use or after a heavy rain day.
In my understanding, pre-settlement inspection is to check what you get is what you described based on your initial settlement. This is to check if the dimensions are correct, correct fittings, correct standards are applied, missing lights.
I wouldn't waste money on hiring a building inspector, usually bank inspect the house before settle the loan as well.
As MrHyde descibed, Plumbing issues and window sealing issues are more of a defects, you only experience soon after you living in it, I don't think any building inspector able to find them. I had a massive pipe burst and flood the house, but builder fixed and clean the place. This was due to manufacturer defect. Later builder told me, bad batch caused the same issue on few of his other projects as well.
You don't need a building inspector to figure out, all the lighting are in correct locations, dimensions of fridge and dishwasher are standard size.
And pray for heavy rain and windy weather soon after the settlement, good way to find leaks :)
Can anyone recommend a building inspector for Pre-Settlement Inspection for an OTP unit?
You can do whatever you want.