Pre-Purchase Checklist

A professional building inspection gives you a clear, objective picture of a property’s condition before you commit. But not all inspections are equal. Here are 15 things your inspector must check, and what to do if they don’t.

1. Structural Integrity

The foundations and load-bearing walls are the skeleton of the building. Your inspector should check for cracking, movement, settlement, and any signs of structural compromise. In clay-heavy soils common across Western Sydney, reactive soil movement is a leading cause of structural defects.

2. Roof Condition

Both the roof covering (tiles, metal, or flat membrane) and the roof framing must be inspected. Damaged or missing tiles, rusted flashings, and sagging ridge lines are red flags.

3. Sub-Floor Space

In properties with a raised timber floor, the sub-floor cavity must be inspected for moisture, fungal decay, pest activity, and structural integrity of the bearers and joists.

4. Moisture and Water Damage

Using a calibrated moisture meter, your inspector should test all wet areas (bathrooms, laundry, kitchen) as well as walls, ceilings, and sub-floors for elevated moisture readings that signal leaks or rising damp.

5. Drainage and Stormwater

Poor drainage around the property is a major cause of moisture ingress, foundation movement, and termite attraction. Check that stormwater systems are functional and grading directs water away from the building.

6. Electrical Safety

While a full electrical inspection requires a licensed electrician, your building inspector should flag obvious hazards: exposed wiring, unprotected meter boards, and non-compliant switchboards.

7. Plumbing Condition

Visible plumbing elements (pipes, hot water systems, taps, toilets) should be assessed. Leaking pipes under sinks, corroded hot water systems, and slow-draining fixtures all indicate issues.

8. Timber Pest Activity

Termites cause billions in damage across Australia annually. Your inspector should check all timber elements for signs of termite activity, wood borer damage, and fungal decay.

9. Windows and Doors

Failed seals, damaged frames, difficult operation, and rot in timber window and door frames are common maintenance issues that can escalate quickly.

10. External Walls and Cladding

External wall cladding (brick, render, weatherboard, or fibre cement) must be checked for cracking, movement, delamination, and moisture ingress points.

11. Retaining Walls

Retaining walls that are failing, leaning, or cracking are a significant liability. They’re expensive to repair and can be dangerous if they collapse.

12. Garage and Outbuildings

All structures on the property must be inspected, including garages, sheds, pergolas, and carports. Non-compliant or unstable structures become the buyer’s problem after settlement.

13. Safety Hazards

Pool fencing compliance, balustrade heights, exposed asbestos, and non-compliant smoke alarms are safety items your inspector must flag regardless of overall condition.

14. Ceiling and Roof Space

The roof void reveals what the rest of the house hides: pest activity, inadequate insulation, poor structural repairs, and water damage from roof leaks.

15. Report Quality and Same-Day Delivery

A great inspection is useless if the report doesn’t document findings clearly. Your report should include photographs, location references, and severity classifications for every defect found.

At SURE Building Inspections, same-day delivery is subject to access and availability, because timely reporting matters in a competitive property market.