In Victoria, building work is regulated by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) which is responsible for ensuring the compliance of builders and plumbers. However, the building process has some pitfalls for those who are uninformed. If you are buying or selling a house it is important you know the regulations of building permits. The Building Act 1993 legislates that all building work is subject to the issuing of a building permit, unless the proposed work falls under an exemption under the Regulations. This includes alterations, demolitions and removals/relocations of buildings. A building permit will specify that either an occupancy permit is required or a certificate of final inspection is required on completion of the building work. If you are unsure of whether a house has had a building or planning permit issued, consult your municipal offices as to whether the building work required or had a building permit issued. A building permit ensures that the building work:
- is done by registered and insured builders
- has the correct documentation
- is inspected at different stages of work, and
- is independently assessed as finished and/or suitable for occupation.
The building permit also lists the types of inspections you must have at different stages of work. Some types of inspections are footing, steel reinforcement, frame and final inspection. Large fines apply if you build without the correct permits. You can be forced to demolish illegal buildings. It is important that if you are planning renovation work at your house you are 100% aware of the need of a building permit. Examples of building work requiring a building permit are:
- a new home or factory
- a swimming pool
- extensions
- renovations
- demolition, or
- building removal.
You may also need a building permit for smaller projects like:
- a new fence
- re-stumping
- retaining wall
- boundary wall
- spa
- safety barrier for a swimming pool or spa
- garage
- carport
- outbuilding
- Veranda, or pergola.
If there has been building work done at a house you are considering buying, check that a building permit was issued and the work was completed by a registered builder. Call Melbourne House Check for further assistance on 1300 729 352.
You can find our relevant Facebook posts on this matter also,
Pre-purchase house inspections: Don’t risk not getting one.
/in Inspection tipsIf you are considering buying a house without having a pre purchase inspection you are taking a huge risk. Just because a house is presented well, doesn’t mean all is ok. In fact there are just so many things that can be hidden it takes more than just an eager eye to identify the problems. Here are just a few recent issues we have identified:
Pre-Purchase Building and Pest Inspections are cost effective and important. The photo below is from a house that presented beautifully on the outside, however underneath the floor was a completely different story. This photo shows a brick pillar supporting the floor bearers and joists. It’s not meant to look this messy and incomplete. This was common underneath this house of which the prospective purchaser had no idea of the poor quality of workmanship. If you are buying a house you need to know the standard of which it has been built. Melbourne House Check – For Peace of Mind. You can view our Google+ and Facebook posts on this matter below. You can call us on 1300 729 352 or you can send us an email here.
Read our other pre purchase inspection articles:
Pre purchase inspections – 4 things you need to know
The positives of a pre purchase inspection
5 Frequently asked pre purchase inspection questions
Why is it important to have a pre purchase inspection before buying?
Illegal Renovations – Don’t get caught up after you buy.
/in Inspection tipsIn Victoria, building work is regulated by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) which is responsible for ensuring the compliance of builders and plumbers. However, the building process has some pitfalls for those who are uninformed. If you are buying or selling a house it is important you know the regulations of building permits. The Building Act 1993 legislates that all building work is subject to the issuing of a building permit, unless the proposed work falls under an exemption under the Regulations. This includes alterations, demolitions and removals/relocations of buildings. A building permit will specify that either an occupancy permit is required or a certificate of final inspection is required on completion of the building work. If you are unsure of whether a house has had a building or planning permit issued, consult your municipal offices as to whether the building work required or had a building permit issued. A building permit ensures that the building work:
The building permit also lists the types of inspections you must have at different stages of work. Some types of inspections are footing, steel reinforcement, frame and final inspection. Large fines apply if you build without the correct permits. You can be forced to demolish illegal buildings. It is important that if you are planning renovation work at your house you are 100% aware of the need of a building permit. Examples of building work requiring a building permit are:
You may also need a building permit for smaller projects like:
If there has been building work done at a house you are considering buying, check that a building permit was issued and the work was completed by a registered builder. Call Melbourne House Check for further assistance on 1300 729 352.
You can find our relevant Facebook posts on this matter also,
Rising damp can be hard to fix.
/in Inspection tipsHere are some tips to look for when buying your house.
Rising damp can be caused by many reasons. The cures can be expensive. Look for the signs of rising damp or get Melbourne House Check to look for you.
You can find our Facebook post on this matter also.
Don’t forget to measure.
/in Inspection tipsIf you are considering buying a house, don’t forget to measure the boundaries. They are not always correct and it’s best to find out before you buy.
Melbourne House Check can measure boundaries as part of a Pre-Purchase Inspection and while it will not be as accurate as having a land surveyor re-establish the boundaries, it will give you an account of where the current fences have been built for you to compare to the measurements on the title. To have your potential site measured by Melbourne House Check just ask us when you make your booking.
You can find our Facebook post on this matter also.
Our Termatrac T3i radar devices.
/in ServicesThe Termatrac T3i is the most advanced termite detection device in the world. With radar detection, thermal sensor plus an accurate moisture sensor, the 3 in 1 device is the ultimate tool in detecting termite’s. At Melbourne House Check we use the Termatrac T3i at each Pre-Purchase house and Pest inspection.
The following short video shows the Termatrac T3i radar device in action detecting termites in the bottom plate of a wall. The moving radar graph shows the activity of the termites from the main device via Bluetooth.
Termatrac video
Read our other articles on termite inspections and termite damage
Is your house at risk of termite infestation?
Termite infestation in a new home under 2 years old
Self diagnosing termite issues
Building inspections also look for termites
Pest inspections in Melbourne – conditions to look for
Termite damage
/in Inspection tips, VideoThis short video shows a door frame in a house at a recent inspection in Melbourne that has active termites inside. The termite species was Coptotermes Acinaciformis which is a fairly common termite species in Victoria. These termites are subterranean termites and where they entered this particular house they were completely concealed and undetected. This damage occurred within 4 -5 months and shows the importance of undertaking regular timber pest inspections. Click here to view our You Tube video.
We conduct building inspections including termite damage checks for homes across Melbourne.
7 Signs a house could be a lemon.
/in Inspection tips, Social MediaThere is no perfect house. Even new homes have issues, but the key is to discover the really big ones before you buy. Here are just 7 things to check for.
Melbourne House Check love checking for lemons.
You can find our facebook post on this matter also.
House Hunting – 2 things to look out for.
/in NewsIf you are house hunting, make sure you know what you are buying.
Sometimes vendor’s attempt to cover up defects. Here are 2 thing’s to look out for – Old houses that have been newly rendered and newly painted interiors.
Sometimes these improvements have been made to conceal problems, mainly cracking in walls. If you are presented with new render or new paint work, it’s important to look further.
Pre-Purchase House and Pest Inspections identify the things you need to know.
Carbon Monoxide Check
/in NewsCarbon Monoxide or CO can be deadly. It is an odorless, colorless gas that is omitted from faulty gas appliances. It is important that gas appliances in your house that produce Carbon Monoxide emissions are tested regularly.
The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:
Some common products that can emit carbon monoxide when you use them are
Melbourne House Check test for dangerous Carbon Monoxide emissions.