Pre-Purchase Building Inspection by a Structural Engineer
Purchasing a home is a significant investment, and understanding its structural condition is crucial. We offer comprehensive Pre-Purchase structural engineer reports specifically for subsidence, wall cracks, stump damages & building movements. We do not provide general building and pest inspections.
Our specialised reports focus on identifying any subsidence & related concerns that could impact your investment. Why?
To Identify Hidden Issues
Tell-tale subsidence structural issues often are not visible to the untrained eye. A structural engineer report can identify hidden problems that are causing, or could lead to significant damage in the future.
For Decision-Making
A detailed structural engineer report can help a buyer to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase, negotiate a better price, or request repairs before closing the deal. For homeowners, a structural engineer report identifies possible subsidence issues and any stabilisation and repair requirements and it is clearly documented for disclosure and peace-of-mind.
To Protect Your Investment
Ensuring the structural stability of your footings & slab protects your investment, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in future repairs and increasing the property’s resale value.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that the home you are purchasing has a solid base, provides invaluable peace of mind. This report can help you avoid costly repairs and ensure the safety of your investment.
What We Check For
During a Pre-Purchase Structural Engineer Report, we conduct a thorough examination of the property’s exterior & interior. Here’s what we typically check for:
Foundation Integrity
We assess the foundation for signs of subsidence, cracks, or other issues that could indicate instability. A compromised foundation can affect the entire structure.
Wall and Floor Slabs
We examine walls and floor slabs for cracks, bulges, or any signs of movement. These can indicate underlying problems that need to be addressed.
Stumps
Leaning or sinking stumps, rusting steel posts and cracked footings can seriously can affect the support and bracing and tie-down of a house.
Retaining Walls
If the property has retaining walls, we can evaluate their condition and stability, looking for signs of bowing, leaning, or failure.
Drainage and Moisture Issues
Poor drainage can lead to moisture problems that affect the foundation and walls. We assess the property’s drainage systems and look for signs of moisture damage.
Possible Remedies
If we identify any structural issues, we provide detailed recommendations for remedies in our report. These might include:
Foundation Repairs
Depending on the severity of the movements and damage, this could range from minor crack repairs to underpinning work to stabilise the foundation and correct excessive level variations.
Wall and Slab Repairs
For cracks in slabs and walls, we might suggest methods such as epoxy injections, heli-bars, structural or elasticated grouts.
Retaining Wall Damages
We may recommend rebuilding, partial or full replacement, propping or reinforcing to provide stability and durability.
Drainage Improvements
Improving the property’s drainage system can alleviate excessive ground and house movements as well as dampness ingress to internal floors and walls. This can often involve upgrading storm drains & landscaping.
Regular Maintenance Recommendations
In some cases, ongoing maintenance may be sufficient to manage minor issues and prevent them from becoming major problems.
