Pre Purchase Structural Inspection

What is MFS Pre-purchase Structural Inspection?

MFS pre-purchase structural inspection is simply an in-depth assessment of the building done by a disinterested party highly trained in this field. The goal of MFS pre-purchase is to identify any problems with the structure that may impact the value, use or enjoyment of the property. Unfortunately, not all pre-purchase building inspectors are experienced enough to spot critical structural defects. Structural defects are not easily detectable and can lead to serious financial loss. That is why MFS pre-purchase structural inspection mainly aims at assessing the buildings from a structural point of view. While inspecting roofs, windows, decks, and the like is necessary, we realised that it would not lead to ground-breaking discoveries to help new homebuyers have a safe investment. Instead, our engineers are trained to identify critical problems in a building’s structure — not just the finishes. So, when you go to purchase a home, we can help you spot potential structural problems and save you the headache of having to deal with them later on.

What is the difference between a pre-purchase building inspection and MFS pre-purchase Structural inspection?

A pre-purchase building inspection is a service that anyone in Victoria can offer, even someone with no academic or industrial background in construction. The service mainly involves visual inspection of the building’s visible elements to identify cosmetic defects and damages and to document them. For example, the Inspector may check the roof tiles for cracks or the walls for any evidence of bulging or rising damp. Depending on the person’s level of expertise conducting the inspection, he or she may also use some modern equipment, such as a thermal imaging camera, to help find some hidden damages, such as water leaks in the shower recess. More experienced inspectors also look for signs of structural damage within the building and recommend their clients to engage a Structural Engineer for further check.

Unlike standard building inspections, MFS’s pre-purchase structural inspection mainly focuses on the building’s structural elements and performance. The most crucial structural element of any building is the foundation footings. As experienced Forensic Structural Engineers, we know that the most severe problems that start to show up after the purchase are primarily due to poor performance of the footings. But that’s not all! Some issues may also arise because of non-compliant building works. For example, a balcony may not have a correct fall, or a swimming pool may have a bump on the lining, leading to serious structural problems later on. Therefore, we’ve designed MFS pre-purchase to provide homebuyers with the most critical information about the property’s structural condition that they intend to buy. MFS pre-purchase is the most effective way to ensure you’re getting what you pay for.

Why Does Every Home Buyer and Investor Need MFS Pre-purchase Structural Inspection?

Nowadays, in Victoria, most contracts are signed subject to a pre-purchase structural inspection report. This means that if the buyer wants to enter into the contract, it will be on the condition they have a structural building inspection report that they are happy with. The sellers should rectify the structural defects identified in the pre-purchase inspection report. Alternatively, the buyer can negotiate a lower purchase price. This is a simple way to help the buyers avoid the long financial ordeal of settling for repairs that will cost them thousands.

A pre-purchase structural inspection is a great way to ensure the property you intend to buy has been built or maintained up to the quality you expect. MFS pre-purchase offers peace of mind, eliminates uncertainty, and ensures you’re making a sound investment. When buying a home, you want to be as sure as possible about your purchase. You don’t want to end up paying too much for repairs that end up being more expensive than building a new house.

What does a structural defect mean?

Structural defects are faults that cause a building or home not to perform as it should. Structural defects refer to a structural element that has not been designed or constructed correctly and is not as strong or durable as the rest of the system. Structural defects may be as apparent as a cracked beam in a roof or, for more significant issues, a poorly performing footing. Structural defects can be caused by poor workmanship, poor materials, poor design, poor construction, and poor maintenance.

Buying or selling a home with a structural defect is expensive and sometimes devastating. Unfortunately, structural defects are often not obvious to the untrained eye. Many people aren’t aware that foundation movements and inadequate footings can cause severe cracks in the walls or that a roofing problem might lead to ceiling collapses. To avoid these problems, homeowners should have their property inspected by a qualified Professional Engineer.

What are non-structural defects?

Non-structural defects, also known as ‘cosmetic’ defects, are defects that do not interfere with the home or building’s stability and structural integrity. Common types of non-structural defects include leaking shower recess, rising damp and rusted gutters. A visual inspection can discover the majority of these defects. It is essential to detect non-structural defects early on because, if left undetected, they can lead to more serious damage and eventually cause structural damage to the house. For example, leaking water from a rusted gutter will seep into the foundation zone and cause moisture variations in the foundation soil. Subsequently, the footings may differentially move due to these undesirable moisture variations and cause cracking and damage within the house.

Many registered builders within Victoria are qualified and experienced in identifying non-structural defects of a property. To find a registered building inspector, visit the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) website. Their common practice is to warn the buyers of any possible structural defects and recommend engaging a Structural Engineer for further advice if necessary.

Who is Qualified to Do a Pre-purchase Structural Inspection?

Unfortunately, currently, there are no regulations for pre-purchase property inspections in Victoria. There are no laws that prevent anyone from trying to call themselves a pre-purchase property inspector. Becoming a property inspector involves nothing more than declaring oneself to be such. No formal training or qualification is required, and the law does not provide any protection against unqualified individuals offering such service. Sadly, property buyers often fail to realise that their Inspector may have no experience or adequate credentials to spot serious building defects, let alone structural defects. The unfortunate part about this is that there will inevitably be significant financial losses if buyers receive a pre-purchase inspection report from a home inspector who has failed to detect structural damage. Therefore, if you are buying a house, it is your responsibility to hire only competent and qualified professionals to do the pre-purchase inspections. You should look for legitimate inspectors who can demonstrate that they’re very knowledgeable in the field, have extensive experience with the kind of home you want to buy, or have earned a reputation for themselves. At MFS, we are Forensic structural engineers with several years of experience in building inspections across Victoria. To learn more about our expertise, visit the Forensic Structural Engineering and Building Dispute pages.

Six Questions to Ask When Hiring a Pre-purchase Structural Inspector

When you’re hiring a property inspector, you need to ask a lot of questions. The questions must be direct and specific. The best thing you can do to feel more comfortable with your decision is to go through the process with someone who can help you. If you’re unsure whether or not an inspector is right for you, talk to them. There are several things you need to be asking your property inspector before you hire them:

• 1) What is the qualification of the inspector? As mentioned before, currently, anyone in Victoria can legally conduct property inspections. The potential for error increases exponentially if you are not an expert on the subject. So, it is important to establish in advance whether your inspector meets professional standards and qualifies for the job.
• 2) How long have they been conducting property inspections? A common mistake most people make is they think anyone can do a pre-purchase structural inspection as long as they are engineers. Well, that is not true. Design engineers are not very good at picking up defects and issues of structures that have already been designed, built, and occupied. That is the expertise of properly trained Forensic Structural Engineers.
• 3) Are they familiar with the type of building you want to buy? You may have your eyes on a modern building, or perhaps a historical one. Either way, you should be sure that the inspector is well-versed in different architectural and structural features and various construction methods, regardless of the age of the building.
• 4) What can they say specifically about the type of building or home you want to buy? Discuss some of your most pressing questions to gauge how knowledgeable they are about the topic. A reputable property inspector will be happy to respond with valuable information or details on the matter.
• 5) What is included in their inspections? Is the inspection merely a walkaround, or will it include measurements and surveys? An experienced property inspector may pick up the most apparent damages (like termite damaged beams) by visual observations only. Still, most hidden damages, such as settled footing built next to an easement, cannot be discovered without proper tools and measurements.
• 6) How long will it take to produce a pre-purchase structural report? Automated reports that are done in “24 hours” using pre-programmed software can be dangerously inaccurate. It is crucial to remember that quality, thorough reporting takes time. Reports done with precision and care provide insight that is vital, while rushed reports are less reliable as they may lack valuable information.

When Should You Get MFS Pre-purchase Structural Inspection?

Simply put, you should get an MFS pre-purchase structural inspection every time you want to buy a property and you have the slightest doubt about its integrity. It is very easy to get distracted by the beauty of a home that has been skillfully made attractive and miss the signs of potential problems. Unfortunately, often, people are so excited about the property purchase that they neglect to inspect the building properly. Therefore, hiring a third party with meticulous detective skills is essential to help you make a well-informed decision rather than a rushed one.

However, when looking to buy a new home, you may see a dozen houses before deciding on the right one. Getting MFS pre-purchase for every single one of them might not be a practical approach. If you feel an emotional attachment to a property, then it’s time to evaluate it objectively. You can always perform a basic evaluation of the property yourself before hiring a pro. Potential red flags can be anything from a musty smell to painted wall cracks.

Here are some critical signs to look out for when evaluating a potential home purchase:

• Watch for signs of mould and water stains, especially at the bottom of the walls. Any evidence of mould or water stains usually indicates that the house was not properly maintained. Check for musty odours around the house by sniffing around in every corner of the space. While mould removal is an easy task, finding the actual source of moisture is usually very costly and can be destructive.
• Look for evidence of recent patching and paintings on walls and cornices around the house. A freshly painted house is a fantastic thing, but you should be wary if you find it difficult to see any cracks in the house or you see too many of them around.
• Take note of external walls for evidence of recent repairs or mortar repointing. A common source of unanticipated problems in a home is the foundation. The first clue to this problem is stepped cracks through bricks.
• Be sure to look for gaps between window frames and brick walls. This is one of the telltale signs of foundation problems.
• Walk around the house to see if the floors are uneven and have highs and lows. This simple check can be a clue to previous structural modifications of the footings, such as Underpinning or Resin injection.

All in all, you should take the time to check the property out thoroughly. If you start with the attitude that it’s all right and don’t look too closely, you run the risk of not finding anything that could affect your decision. Make sure you pick up on any hidden issues that might matter.

When Should a Property Seller Hire a Pre-purchase Structural Inspector?

While it isn’t necessary, having a pre-purchase inspection on your home before listing is a wise choice. This way, you can avoid experiencing any unpleasant surprises when receiving a pre-purchase report from an interested buyer. Also, sellers must be honest and forthcoming. They must disclose all relevant information, such as past repair history or any structural issues with the house. If a seller fails to disclose this information, they may be liable for any financial losses incurred by the buyer due to that failure. MFS pre-purchase structural inspection can, therefore, help buyers and sellers alike. Buyers will benefit from a detailed structural inspection report identifying any known or potential issues with the home before making a decision. At the same time, sellers will not incur any liabilities that may arise after purchase.

What Does Our Engineer Check During MFS Pre-purchase Inspection?

The Engineer inspects the property for two different types of defects during the MFS pre-purchase inspection:

Apparent defects:

The Engineer finds and documents damages and defects that they can see. Apparent defects may include cracks in the walls, undulated ceilings, and previous repairs. Most of these apparent defects are either signs of hidden defects or causes of them. For example, a wall crack is a sign of a hidden defect, but having the external ground level higher than the internal floor level might be the cause.

Hidden defects:

Depending on the nature of the identified apparent defect, the Engineer will use appropriate equipment to find hidden defects. For example, the Engineer may use a High Precision Altimeter to check the adequacy of the footings or send an MFS robot into the confined spaces of the house, such as subfloor and roof spaces, for a complete inspection. The MFS pre-purchase inspection is meant to identify hidden defects as much as possible. It can be the difference between purchasing and not, so finding hidden defects is of the utmost importance.

What does the MFS pre-purchase structural report cover?

The MFS pre-purchase structural inspection report relates to the property’s current condition and is completed to the Australian standards by an experienced Forensic Structural Engineer. It is a comprehensive document outlining the visual observations, measurements, and analysis of the house. It also includes discussions on likely causes of identified problems within the house and provides recommendations on rectifying or minimising the identified damages.

Furthermore, you can ask MFS’s Engineer to focus on specific issues that matter the most to you. For example, suppose you are thinking of potentially renovating or extending the property. In that case, you can get far more knowledge from MFS Pre-purchase about your options and the extent of expected structural works. The MFS pre-purchase structural inspection report will allow you to better understand the property, uncover any hidden structural and non-structural damages, and make an informed decision as to whether the purchase is a smart choice.

Should I Trust a Pre-purchase Report Supplied by the Real Estate Agent?

Under the real estate sale laws, real estate agents must inform prospective buyers if a pre-purchase inspection report has already been carried out at the property (for further information, refer to ACCC’s guidance on real estate). However, as a prospective buyer, you should always be cautious of an inspection report commissioned by the vendor or real estate agent. When a report is commissioned by a party with a vested interest in the outcome of the inspection — such as a landlord, real estate agent, or building inspector — there’s a risk that the report is tailored to meet the client’s desires, which often means presenting a “clean” building inspection report to facilitate the sale.

Pre-purchase reports arranged by real estate agents may present a clear conflict of interest. These reports are prepared by individuals who have a vested interest in completing the sale; their primary goal is to sell the property, not to ensure the buyer is informed of potential issues that could cause harm.

Moreover, it’s important to remember that the vendor, not the buyer, commissioned the inspector. This means you, as the buyer, would not have any recourse against the inspector who conducted the pre-purchase inspection on behalf of the vendor or real estate agent if you discover faults after taking possession of the property.

Do I Need MFS Pre-purchase Structural Inspection on a Brand New Home?

With new buildings being constructed in only a matter of months, homebuyers need to be extra careful when purchasing a brand-new home. It is critical for property buyers to protect themselves from inexperienced builders and those who cut corners for extra profit. Among the major issues homebuyers should be concerned about are poorly built footings and foundations that can cause significant cracking throughout the house and turn your new dream home into an entire nightmare.

Beware! Your new home may not be as perfect as you think. Before you close on it, get a thorough structural inspection of its defects. You’ll save time and money in the long run. Structural inspection is a crucial part of building a brand new home. It is important to get things checked over before the final payment is made and it’s vital to ensure that the build is done right.

How Much Does MFS Pre-purchase Structural Inspection Cost?

We inspect all types of houses and buildings all over Victoria. Depending on where the building is located and the extent of work involved in the assessment, the prices of MFS pre-purchase can vary. In any event, proper MFS pre-purchase structural inspection is well worth the money. The fee that you pay for a professional qualified forensic engineer to assess your next investment is insignificant compared to the potential disaster you can avoid by doing so. Do not bet your investment on an inspector who may or may not be qualified. Get the right professionals to give you the thumbs up before you sign the dotted lines. Contact us to learn more.