Buying a house or property in New Zealand can be a stressful experience, but it doesn't have to be an overwhelming one. The key to having a stress-free property search and purchase process is preparation, so you need to do your due diligence and know exactly what you're getting yourself into before you jump into the market. One of the most important aspects of this research is understanding what you're up against with any potential purchase - and that's where pre-purchase building inspections come in.

If you are buying a new property...

If you are buying a new property, one of the most important things to do is to get a Pre Purchase House Inspection building inspection. A pre purchase building inspection is an independent assessment and verification that the property complies with all building and safety standards, regulations, codes and bylaws. It's not just about finding faults; it's also about identifying key aspects of the structure that may require maintenance or repair. This includes roofing, drains, gutters, plumbing and electrical systems.

A pre purchase building inspection will help you make an informed decision about whether to proceed with your purchase or not. The cost of a pre purchase building inspection should be included in your budget when purchasing a new property.

If you are buying an older home...

If you are considering buying an older home, a pre-purchase building inspection is your best friend. It can identify any potential problems with the property and give you the opportunity to negotiate repair costs or even walk away from the deal if the cost to fix them is too high. For example, a pre-purchase inspection might reveal that termites have damaged supporting timbers under flooring and may require replacement. If you know this before signing on the dotted line, you'll have time to weigh your options and consider whether or not it's worth it to buy this particular property. Or if you do decide to proceed with the purchase, at least you will know what to expect when it comes time for repairs and will be better prepared financially. In some cases, a more expensive house could actually end up being less expensive because of its age and condition.

Prevent major stress and cost...

Building inspections are important for any potential property owner. No matter how good the sale price seems to be, you want to make sure that the property is worth your investment. It's better to lose a little bit of money now than risk losing everything on what could end up being a disastrous building purchase.

When it comes to pre-purchase building inspections, there are two types available: structural and pest. While they both serve different purposes, they both provide vital information that helps determine whether or not this is the right home for you and your family. Structural building inspections will let you know whether or not the structure of the house is sound, without any major faults that could have cost you tens of thousands of dollars down the line if left undetected.

Protect your investment...

If you're purchasing a home, one of the most important things that you can do is get a pre-purchase building inspection. A pre-purchase building inspection will help you:

Know what problems to expect and what's been done to address them

Get a list of all the defects and maintenance items on the property.

Help determine if repairs are needed or if it's better to walk away from the property

Give an idea about how much it would cost for repairs and maintenance items

Let you know if there are any environmental concerns such as mold, asbestos or lead paint on the property.

Get peace of mind...

There are few things more stressful than purchasing a new home, but the process doesn't have to be so frightening. A pre-purchase building inspection is a great way to make sure that you know everything about your potential new purchase before you sign any paperwork. This will also give you peace of mind since you'll know exactly what needs to be fixed or replaced and how much it will cost.

Pre-purchase building inspections don't cost very much and can save you from costly repairs down the line, so it's well worth the investment. The first step is picking an inspector. Check with friends and family for recommendations because their input may help you choose someone who has performed an inspection on a property like yours recently. Keep in mind that just because someone does an excellent job at performing one type of inspection doesn't mean they're qualified to do another type. Once you've chosen an inspector, ask them if they would be willing to provide references for past clients who had similar properties as yours - this way you can get firsthand information about their experience with them without having to commit yourself beforehand!