When buying a property, the excitement of finding your dream home can quickly be overshadowed by the findings of a pre-purchase building inspection. While such inspections are invaluable in uncovering potential issues, they often highlight structural concerns that can leave buyers feeling uncertain about their next steps.
If you’ve received a report revealing structural issues, don’t panic. With the right guidance, you can assess the severity of the problem and make informed decisions moving forward. In this article, we’ll outline the steps you should take after your pre-purchase inspection reveals structural issues and how Vision Structure's team of structural engineers can help you navigate the process.
Step 1: Understand the Pre-Purchase Building Inspection Issues in Detail
A building inspection report typically lists potential structural issues such as cracks, foundation problems, or signs of subsidence. However, these descriptions can often be vague or unclear. This is where the expertise of a structural engineer comes in. Once you receive your building report, it’s important to:
Review the structural concerns noted by the inspector.
Understand what these issues mean for the property’s integrity, long-term stability, and safety.
At Vision Structures, we provide a thorough, on-site evaluation following your building inspection report. We offer a detailed explanation of the issue, assess its severity, identify potential causes, and provide advice on possible long-term implications.
Step 2: Get Expert Advice on Remedial Solutions
Once you understand the issues and their potential costs, the next step is to determine what solutions are available. This is where professional advice becomes invaluable. Structural engineers are trained to assess the structural integrity of a property and recommend the most appropriate, cost-effective remedial solutions.
Some issues, such as minor settling or cosmetic cracks, may require simple repairs that are relatively inexpensive. Others, like major foundation issues or significant load-bearing problems, may need more extensive and costly remediation. A structural engineer will be able to identify which issues can be resolved quickly and which require more in-depth work. If major remediation is anticipated, it is crucial to be aware prior to finalising the purchase of the house.
Step 3: Estimate Potential Costs
Structural issues, depending on their nature, can lead to significant repair costs and even impact the overall value of the property. Whether it’s a minor issue or something more severe, it’s essential to:
Get an accurate estimate of the repair costs.
Understand any potential costs if the problem worsens over time and isn’t addressed.
While builders and contractors are typically the best sources for cost estimates, a structural engineer can provide a rough verbal scope of works, which you can then relay onto the builder to obtain a cost estimate. This information is critical for deciding whether to proceed with the purchase, renegotiate the price, or walk away from the deal entirely.
Step 4: Consider Future Renovation Plans
If you’re considering renovating the property in the future, structural issues identified during your pre-purchase inspection can impact your plans. For example, issues with the roof may affect your ability to add a storey or extend the home.
Before committing to any renovations, consult a structural engineer to ensure your plans align with the existing structure and to understand any limitations or requirements based on the current condition of the property.
At Vision Structures, we can assess the property and help you determine what’s involved in future renovations, including what structural changes may be necessary to make your dream home a reality.
Step 5: Decide Whether to Proceed with the Purchase
After assessing the structural issues, the next step is to make a decision about the property. If the issues are minor and easily fixable, you may decide to go ahead with the purchase, possibly negotiating a reduction in price to cover repair costs. However, if the issues are more significant and require expensive or extensive work, it may be worth reconsidering the purchase or requesting a substantial reduction in the purchase price.
Our team can help guide you through this decision by offering professional insight into the severity of the issues, helping you to make an informed, confident choice.
In Summary
Finding structural issues in a pre-purchase building inspection can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to derail your property purchase. By taking the steps outlined above, you can gain a better understanding of the problem, assess the costs involved, and make an informed decision
At Vision Structures, we specialise in helping homeowners assess structural issues and provide expert advice on repairs and future renovations. If you’ve received a building inspection report with structural concerns, or you are just looking for some general structural advice on a property, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for a clearer, professional assessment before making any decisions.
By working with a structural engineer, you’ll gain peace of mind and ensure that your property purchase is a sound investment for the future.