The above photograph was taken by Mr Inspector, a qualified building inspector in Melbourne, during a recent inspection in Elwood, Melbourne. The photo shows large excessive cracking and movement in the external masonry wall. Three other areas had the same cracking.
The end result was a quote in excess of $45,000 to rectify the footings settlements alone. After that the walls would require to be re-built, the home needed re-stumping and the rear sun room slab had basically cracked in half.
Unfortunately for our client who resided interstate, they purchased the home subject to no conditions and outside the cooling off period as they were unaware of the standard house buying process. The client arrived from interstate and saw the cracking and engaged us to assess.
This is an expensive reminder that you must do your due diligence before buying a home, including engaging a solicitor or conveyancer to go over the contract of sale and to have the home assessed for building defects and termites.
Peter has a Diploma of Building Surveying which makes him one of the few in Melbourne who are Qualified to carry out building inspections as per the Building Act 1993. He is also qualified in Timber Pest Inspections (Cert 3), Pool Barrier Inspection (Certificate 11077454) and Non-Friable Asbestos Awareness and removal.