In Western Australia, every home buyer is entitled to a final inspection of the property they have purchased prior settlement.

During Covid and post pandemic it is more common that buyers have purchased a property sight unseen. Having never laid eyes on a property in person, a final inspection may be the only time you can ask questions about the property prior to owning it.

Final inspections may take place up to a week prior to settlement. It is advisable to allow a minimum of five days to enable the vendor / agent time to make any necessary changes.

A final inspection is different to a pre-purchase inspection in Perth and the BCI team won’t be there with you when you review the property before settling. Below is a checklist our team has prepared to help you complete the final inspection with your agent. Our goal is that you wake up on moving day and feel confident creating a new life in the home.

IS THE BUILDING SECURE?

First things first, check the window and doors locks and make sure you have all the keys you need to secure the property.

IS THE BUILDING SAFE?

Has the vendor addressed any structural areas of concern highlighted in the pre-purchase inspection or  items in the timber and pest inspection such as pests, borers, rodents or termites?

HOW IS THE BUILDING CONNECTED?

Make sure everything is working and you know where to find utility components such as the electrical switch board. Do you know where to find the water and gas meters and how to turn them off and on in an emergency?

Water / Gas / Plumbing / Appliances / Lighting / Power points

At BCI we do preliminary electrical and plumbing checks as part of our pre-purchase inspection checks in Perth and will have made you and the vendor aware of any items that needed addressing prior to the final inspection. Now is a good time to turn on the taps and the lights to make sure everything is working as it should.

It may sound obvious, but does the door bell work? There is nothing more frustrating than moving into a new home and finding that all your deliveries have been redirected because people didn’t think you were in!

IS THE BUILDING CLEAN?

Has the vendor removed all their rubbish and left the garden in the same condition as when you purchased it when you put down your deposit?

IS THE BUILDING COMPLETE?

Sometimes buyers can go to final inspections and find that items are missing. If you negotiated to have white goods, wall hangings, furniture, pool equipment etc. remain in the house as part of the sale then it’s important to ensure they are there.

CONCLUDING THE FINAL INSPECTION

Make sure you note down any questions or concerns when you attend the final inspection. Now is the time to make sure you are 100% happy with the property. Importantly though, it is not the time to enter into negotiations on new items that had not previously been discussed.

If you have any issues you are unhappy with and if the vendor has failed to address any items in our pre-purchase inspection, please don’t hesitate to contact us at BCI. We have more than 30 years’ experience in building inspections in Perth and will do everything we can to ensure you are happy and confident with the purchase of your new home.

Please see below the checklist for the final inspection. It can also be viewed on an earlier blog. 

• Turn the air conditioner / heater on as you arrive to ensure it cools / heats
• Telephone line
• Letter box key
• Door bell
• Light fixtures including pendants
• Water taps and mixers (check outside for hose taps as well)
• Tap spouts
• Water filtration system works
• Plugs for sinks
• Leaks under laundry trough
• Washing machine taps
• Sinks (check that don’t leak)
• Toilets (check that flush)
• Door handles
• Exhaust fans
• Ceiling fans
• Stove / cook top / oven
• Dishwasher – working and explained
• Air conditioner
• Evaporative cooler
• Heating unit
• Hot water service
• Pool pump and light
• Spa – heating unit and pump / filter
• Garage door (check that works + remote)
• Smoke detectors
• Rubbish bins (check that present and in good condition, green and yellow)
• Door locks
• Doors – do they open easily and do sliding doors move freely
• Window locks
• Windows – do they open and close and move freely
• Drawers
• Curtains
• Blinds
• Dimmers on lights, sky lights, automatic blinds
• Alarm codes and how to use it, where it is activated
• Home telephone
• Electrical switchboard – 2 RCD’s
• Gas meter
• Solar power operation unit
• Attic stairs
• Fire place
• And any items that may have been governed as part of the sale including display furniture.

 Need to book in your final ibnspection? Contact our specalist team at BCI WA today and we can help.