Final House Inspection - What to look for?

[Jesterarts]

Hey,

I have my final house inspection this Wednesday, and I pretty much know what I'm looking for but is anything that I should look for that I wouldn't think to?

Like I know to look for defects in the paints, scratches on the benchtops, windows, etc. Makre sure the bricks are washed, the doors open and close properly.

Just looking for people that know of weird stuff, like checking if the top edge of the doors is painted.

Let me know.

[CRANKN]

do u have any mates who are builders? i find they usually pick up on faults if there good at there trade...

just out of interest what type of house is it?

[88GreenVN]

Take meter readings if you can.

Shower hot water pressure if both are on at the same time...

Carry tape measure so you can check sizes

[Jonno]

is it a old house?

things we got fkd over on when we brought out newest property

solar heating for pool was fkd, needed new pump and the roof panels are crap, they leak their spit etc

burns in the carpet that were coverd by couches etc

the wiring of the house! we had it fixed but say an appliance was on (say, wood fire) the when the fan was on it would steal power from the tv due to bridged wiring) lol

[MikeCuzzy]

Really depends how old the house is but:

Look for moisture in the roof or decks, any timbers - got a few friends with problems like that, with rot and ended up needing it redone in the case of roof VERY expensive.

If it's an older house, and may have had new bathrooms or kitchens put in, make sure all cupboards and such line up will and neatly if not if may have been a dodgey job.
Check for any cracks that have formed or are beginning to form in the wall and ceiling, where we leave it is a decent problem in the whole town.

Also check for larger trees if you back onto bush that may have roots moving under pavers or back padeo.

But if it's a newer house you should be ok, if you've got mates who are builders take them with you, have you had a building inspection?

Mike

[Rusty]

Termites! Lil buggers can eat the whole house. Neighbours with too many VL's, cat's or children....

[Troy711]

Check all the lights, make sure they work. Also take something like a phone charger and check the power points. I had an issue with my unit I bought a few years back in which only 1 of the phone outlets worked and when I quizzed the builder about it they said they couldn't do anything unless I expected them to rewire the whole thing. Needless to say I was pretty pissed although they did manage to get the 2 critical ones to work.

Also look for popped nails on the skirts/architraves, drips of paint on the walls, hollow/peaked plaster joints especially in long hallway ceilings. One thing you will probably find is that crap joints will show up as soon as it's dark and you have the lights on so if it happens get it fixed in your maintenance period. Also look up all of the internal corners in the plaster and look for signs of bubbles under the tape or edges of tape showing. Don't be afraid to take a light source of some description, the person you are doing an inspection with might think you're an idiot but most plaster defects and nearly invisible under natural light and only show up with the lights on.

Don't forget to have a look outside and check that there is no broken roof tiles. And check that the grout in the wall/floor tiles is neat and doesn't have any tile spacers showing.

EDIT: Another one is poorly finished external miters and butt joints on cornice. If you need some pics of exactly what I am talking about in plaster I can try and Google some for you.

[AirStrike]

Paint is always the hardest one mate, do you have a listing of how many coats they are required to use and what products?
Check all the internal timber work to see that the nails have all been punched and filled before paint, check all external doors have top and bottom edges painted (never gets done), etc
As mentioned take something to test all the power points, one of the ones in our lounge was tripping the safety switch.

[Rufys]

Hey,

I have my final house inspection this Wednesday, and I pretty much know what I'm looking for but is anything that I should look for that I wouldn't think to?

Like I know to look for defects in the paints, scratches on the benchtops, windows, etc. Makre sure the bricks are washed, the doors open and close properly.

Just looking for people that know of weird stuff, like checking if the top edge of the doors is painted.

Let me know.

You will get a warranty period too. Write down things AS YOU NOTICE THEM so you don't forget to add them to the list. Another important thing is to sit in the roof during heavy rain the first chance you get. I had to have a whole section of tiles replaced due to leaks!

[Jesterarts]

Home is brand new, just built.

Yeah, i have some details on how many paint layers they are to use in the contract, but I'm not sure how I can measure that.

I will have to remembe to take a light globe with me to test the lights (i think the house only has fixtures but not globes).

Also, what something that I can take to test the power points? Something portable but that will use alot of power?

Also, can I go for an adventure in the roof? Consifering it's been raining a fair bit lately, I imagine I would be able to find traces of leaks if I got up there.

Thanks,

[AirStrike]

Home is brand new, just built.

Yeah, i have some details on how many paint layers they are to use in the contract, but I'm not sure how I can measure that.

I will have to remembe to take a light globe with me to test the lights (i think the house only has fixtures but not globes).

Also, what something that I can take to test the power points? Something portable but that will use alot of power?

Also, can I go for an adventure in the roof? Consifering it's been raining a fair bit lately, I imagine I would be able to find traces of leaks if I got up there.

Thanks,

I can get it measured for you if you want..........it's called a destruction test..........for a reason You have to take a sample from the wall.

[304runner]

Yeah well, you got 7 years to find em' champ

But for this inspection just make sure you all the obvious ones are checked like the garden tap and sensor light if you have one. Tiles are the one people forget to check.. If there is any sign of dodgy grout just let the builder know.

But other then swinging off doors and checking for hinge movement from the kitchen cupboards there really isn't much to do.

A defect can be as small as some saw dust in the bathroom vanity to a roof leak....



But like I said, you will do this again in 7 years so just jot all of the things down on the garage wall or something over the 7 years and when the time comes your defect list will be there... Just slap a bit of paint over your list when the builder has fixed em' all and she's apple...

[Jonno]

if its new then all power should be fine
as posted above their is a warranty period

check the painting

the tiles are all level and some havnt dropped
and walk on the carpet barefoot, some new places iv been too u can feel random drops in the carpet and theirs tiles dropped in corners

[Troy711]

Yeah well, you got 7 years to find em' champ

But for this inspection just make sure you all the obvious ones are checked like the garden tap and sensor light if you have one. Tiles are the one people forget to check.. If there is any sign of dodgy grout just let the builder know.

But other then swinging off doors and checking for hinge movement from the kitchen cupboards there really isn't much to do.

A defect can be as small as some saw dust in the bathroom vanity to a roof leak....



But like I said, you will do this again in 7 years so just jot all of the things down on the garage wall or something over the 7 years and when the time comes your defect list will be there... Just slap a bit of paint over your list when the builder has fixed em' all and she's apple...

I think you will find that the maintenance period is quite a lot shorter than 7 years. Structural might be but standard general maintenance for minor defects is (or at least in Canberra) is 90 days. It will be in the contracts either way.

[Troy711]

I just had a look at your house pics on Facebook... judging by the amount of red dots in some of the pics they have already done a pretty thorough inspection on the finished product (paint, plaster and such).

I love that kitchen too, the colours work well with the wooden floor. If you don't mind me asking, whats a house/land package like that cost in Melbourne?

EDIT: Downlights too, that's going to spare a lot of potential issued with crook ceiling joints as they can't throw a shadow over it.

[Pub247]

One we missed there was a hole in toilet wal that had been filled but not sanded painted we missed it as it was behind the door when open you actually has to close the door whilst in toilet to see.

Also as troy said one of our phone line in kitchen doesnt work which was a pita we havent fixed it just have cordless and modem/router in bedroom

Also oen of our hallway lights isnt wired to the switch so taking a globe is a good idea maybe a small ladder as we wouldnt have been able to reach it anyway

[Drawnnite]

take a little level and tape measure, make sure all the powerpoints/switches are level and the same height off the ground.
swithces most likely 1100 centre and powerpoints 300 centre unless its strange things.

could also buy a powerpoint tester to check if all the powerpoints are wired correctly.
although this should be 100% right as it was signed off. some still get it wrong or are lazy. could cause unwanted problems later on if it is wrong, costing you money.

also if you can get in the ceiling check any downlights etc. they should have no insulation touching them/within a certain distance (it is in the regs)
this is a big safety thing, and it could stop the house being burnt down from the heat.

[minux]

As I said on facebook, hire your own Inspector...if you need someone, I can hook you up.

Basic things to check:
Check heater/aircon works.
Fill up all sinks then let out water to test drains are done correctly.
Check oven works
Check splashback for scratches
Check all glass for scratches

I could go on and on but seriously, it is worth getting your own inspector there at the same time.

[Trayner]

Also look for popped nails on the skirts/architraves, drips of paint on the walls, hollow/peaked plaster joints especially in long hallway ceilings. One thing you will probably find is that crap joints will show up as soon as it's dark and you have the lights on so if it happens get it fixed in your maintenance period. Also look up all of the internal corners in the plaster and look for signs of bubbles under the tape or edges of tape showing. Don't be afraid to take a light source of some description, the person you are doing an inspection with might think you're an idiot but most plaster defects and nearly invisible under natural light and only show up with the lights on.

What Troy said about all the plaster work ^^ , especially the internals . I know tones of people cheat when doing them

[Jesterarts]

Sweet, thanks for the input guys.

I think I'm going to have fun at this inspection. I enjoy going attention to detail type stuff.

I was thinking about an inspector, but after talking with my mates who are tradies and they recon I will be fine. I got some pointers from them and also what you guys have pointed out.

I'm putting together my little list so I will be sweet!

[Jesterarts]

take a little level and tape measure, make sure all the powerpoints/switches are level and the same height off the ground.
swithces most likely 1100 centre and powerpoints 300 centre unless its strange things.

could also buy a powerpoint tester to check if all the powerpoints are wired correctly.
although this should be 100% right as it was signed off. some still get it wrong or are lazy. could cause unwanted problems later on if it is wrong, costing you money.

also if you can get in the ceiling check any downlights etc. they should have no insulation touching them/within a certain distance (it is in the regs)
this is a big safety thing, and it could stop the house being burnt down from the heat.

Yeah, I'm planning on taking a ladder with me to get in the ceiling.

I'm also planning on taking a electirc leaf blower to test all the power points. Figured is was fairly high load so it should trip switches if something is wrong.

Cheers.

[Jesterarts]

One we missed there was a hole in toilet wal that had been filled but not sanded painted we missed it as it was behind the door when open you actually has to close the door whilst in toilet to see.

Also as troy said one of our phone line in kitchen doesnt work which was a pita we havent fixed it just have cordless and modem/router in bedroom

Also oen of our hallway lights isnt wired to the switch so taking a globe is a good idea maybe a small ladder as we wouldnt have been able to reach it anyway

Yeah, I have contacted the builder askin what sort of globe I need so I can test the lights.

The phone line might be a tricky one, as we are in a optical area so and the Telstra optical box will not be programmed ey. But I will take a phone with us anyway. Cheers.

[vkberlina]

go through and make sure all lights, power points, data,phone & tv outlets are all where they should be
Make sure concrete slabs meet the edges of brickwork
check roofspace that trusses are correct seen a few with split timbers
make sure you have sarking & bats if you ordered them in the roof space
make sure all doors and windows open & close correctly & are opening the correct direction per plan
make sure all drains work including floor wastes
check fall on tiles & concrete slabs so you dont have water pooling
make sure bricks are what you orders and correct colour mortar was used
check the roof for cracked or broken tiles or dented roof iron
check window glass for cracks etc
check window frames to be the correct type and colour
check all appliances work inc dish washer

thats about all i can think of off the top of my head

[Jesterarts]

go through and make sure all lights, power points, data,phone & tv outlets are all where they should be
Make sure concrete slabs meet the edges of brickwork
check roofspace that trusses are correct seen a few with split timbers
make sure you have sarking & bats if you ordered them in the roof space
make sure all doors and windows open & close correctly & are opening the correct direction per plan
make sure all drains work including floor wastes
check fall on tiles & concrete slabs so you dont have water pooling
make sure bricks are what you orders and correct colour mortar was used
check the roof for cracked or broken tiles or dented roof iron
check window glass for cracks etc
check window frames to be the correct type and colour
check all appliances work inc dish washer

thats about all i can think of off the top of my head

Cheers, thanks mate. I've got most of those items on the list so looking good.

[Troy711]

Check the runners on sliding door frames and window frames. I've seen some pretty sadly bent ones in my time which the builder has hammered half neat and slapped some touch up paint on rather than replace the whole track.