photo credit: lady with dreams…
If you’re a recent Kiwi, the range of issues to deal with when buying a house can be befuddling. Notwithstanding the leasehold vs freehold issue, New Zealand houses are probably built very differently to those in your home country.
I.e., while you may have a good “eye” for a house in South Africa or the UK, you’re a newbie here, and there are lots of variables you may not have encountered before. If it’s the first house you’re buying after you move to New Zealand, here’s why you should get a builder’s report…
While a house may appear structurally sound to you, the layman, it may have serious flaws or issues which could impact its purchase or resale value. General wisdom is “the older a house is, the more important it is to get a builder’s report done.”
As a “fresh Kiwi”, I’ve come to believe that it’s well worth the money to ensure that the (comparatively very expensive) house you’re buying is not a lemon. A builder’s report should cost between $300 and $500, depending on the area, the size of the building, etc.
What’s included in a New Zealand Builder’s Report?
A non-intrusive building report should include analysis of:
- The interior condition of the building: stuck doors, leaky plumbing, rotting windowsills, etc.
- The exterior condition of the building: cladding, veneer, window and door frames.
- The condition of the roofing: rust, leaks, spoutings (gutters), etc.
- The condition of the foundation: cracks in concrete block, rotting piles, etc.
Recommended in Napier (Member of Building Officials Institute of New Zealand)
We’re looking at purchasing a property in Napier, and had a building inspection done yesterday. If you’re in Napier, I can highly recommend Gilbert Duncan from Residential Building Inspections. (+64-21-432-126).
Here’s a sample / copy of our report: Sample Builder’s Report
Link Summary
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/4441524a11.html
Categories: Infrastructure
Tags: builder’s report, property
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