Any problems identified with a professional pre-purchase inspection will probably not deter you from buying the property, but at least when you buy it you have your eyes open.   Some problems can be straightforward and easy to fix but other issues can be major ones.  You can use the report to negotiate a better price.

“DIY Inspections: How to spot a lemon“ published in the Sydney Morning Herald says you should do two sorts of checks: the first is to do your own initial appraisal, and the second, if you are keen on the property,  is to bring in the experts such as Tyrrells.

The article quotes one property investor saying, “Although the [Tyrrells] report cost $1200, it was worth it. They gave us a written report and we also had access to the inspector before and after the inspection. He was really prompt in calling us … he gave us some positive buying points as to whether the property was sound and what maintenance was required.”

A Property and Timber Pest Report from Tyrrells is comprehensive (several pages), is available within  one day of the building inspection and draws your attention to any issues you need to know about before you sign a contract to purchase the property. A building inspection from Tyrrells can take any uncertainty and worry out of the buying process.

The reforms apply to all residential building work covered by home warranty insurance (but not to claims or legal proceedings  that are already in the pipeline or finalised).

The amendments reduce the period of time where owners and builders can claim for defects.  This period during which proceedings for a breach of a statutory warranty could be commenced was previously seven years but this period has been reduced to 2 years for non-structural defects (poor painting, incorrect wiring etc) and to six years for a structural defect (anything that results in, or is likely to result in, the building or any part of the building being closed or prohibited from being used, or could result in the destruction of the building or a threat for its imminent collapse).

One of the issues is that for non-structural defects the time period starts running from the date the building (or apartment) was completed, not when the owner moves in.  This does not allow much time for the new owner to identify defects, which sometimes do not become apparent until two to three years after the building work is done, defects in waterproofing is a good example.

Tyrrells provides a Progress and  Final Inspection as well as the Home Owner Warranty Report (only suitable if you are an owner builder).  Both Reports are inexpensive ways of getting incomplete or defective work properly fixed prior to the warranty expiring.

“The Property Maintenance Handbook… is an excellent guide for property owners and managers.”

We think that this publication is must for all property owners and can be purchased directly from Tyrrells, along with a number of other publications.

– Jerry Tyrrell

In mid-September 2010 Tim Tyrrell (Tyrrells co-founder) wrote by email to the Premier to ask her to review the  Department of Fair Trading’s decision to create a government monopoly on owner-builder courses.  That letter was published on the Tyrrells website.

The Premier’s office replied yesterday (more than 6 weeks after the original email).  This is a copy of the email.

Dear Mr Tyrrell

I write in response to your recent email to the Premier concerning Owner Builder courses.
As the matter you have raised concerns the administration of the Minister for Fair Trading and Minister for the Arts, the Hon DV Judge MP, your email has been forward to the Minister for attention.
You may be sure that your email will receive close consideration

Yours sincerely,
David Swain

Tyrrells awaits further correspondence with interest.
If you are an owner-builder who received certification from Tyrrells and can help us overturn the monopoly, please contact us.

An open letter:

Dear Premier

Tyrrells is NSW largest building consultancy. For almost 40 years its co-founder Jerry Tyrrell has been the driving force behind consumer protection and better education for all consumers involved in the building process.

It is therefore with disappointment we note that the NSW government has decided to create a monopoly on Owner Builder courses by banning any courses other that its own.

I quote from your Government website:

“From 30 August 2010, the Course in Owner Builder Compliance (Course No. 91509NSW), is being introduced as the only education course for an owner builder. From 1 October the Course in Owner Builder Compliance will be the only approved education course for prospective applicants who do not possess the equivalent qualifications and experience.”

I would ask that you urgently review this decision for reasons including:

1. There is no such monopoly in other states, i.e. private approved course are permitted.
2. Monopoly practises are prima facie bad for consumers because the lack of competition discourages price and service competition.
3. There are extremely capable private organisations who have successfully delivered thousands of owner builder courses already.

I am sure, given your interest in promoting free enterprise and efficient business operations in NSW, that you would not want such a monopoly to be allowed.

Your urgent attention would be appreciated.

Regards

Timothy Tyrrell
Legal | Tyrrells Property Inspections

This letter was sent to the Premier by email on 16 September 2010. If you have received owner-builder certification from Tyrrells and want to support us, please contact us or leave your comments below.

We can also give you a FREE digital copy of the ‘Owner Builder Handbook’, which is essential reading for anyone proposing to be an owner builder.

Please contact us to book the Tyrrells’ Owner Builder Course or to get a free copy of the Handbook.

Jerry @ AIBS Conferenc

CEO Jerry Tyrrell described the win as a surprise. “I know we have good products that help consumers and building professionals. The new Emergency Management Pack will make sure all major buildings are safer and managers and owners will face less risk” said Jerry.

The new Emergency Management Pack has a Patent Pending because it is the first system which combines the training, record keeping and statutory requirements that all owners MUST comply with. Tyrrells can also provide the Evacuation Plans and baseline fire safety advice, building owners and managers can use their current fire safety consultants.

“The important thing is everyone has a road map to follow. No more chaos about where everything goes or whether occupants will be safe during an inevitable emergency. And, at last, managers can sleep easy knowing they have complied with all the legal requirements for the building they work in” says Jerry Tyrrell.

For more information call 1300 13 12 70 or contact Jerry Tyrrell.

The revamped documents are listed below and are also available in the Downloads section of our site as well as articles published by our Building Consultants.

Residential and Strata Timber Pest CHECK
If you have timber in your property, it can easily be damaged by rot and insect pests. That’s why we have advised periodic timber pest inspections.

Residential and Strata Safety CHECK
Preventing and minimising accidents to residents and visitors to your property is very important. This diagram shows many of the typical things to look for.

Residential and Strata Maintenance CHECK
Managers and owners have a duty to keep their buildings safe and in a reasonable condition. Timely maintenance can be a fraction of the cost of major repairs or replacement.

Roof CHECK
Every year it pays to carefully check your roof for problems. This checklist details what you need to look for.

Buyer’s Inspection Checklist
What to do when purchasing a property.

Who’s Who in the Building Zoo
Your guide to understanding the role of building professionals.

Pre-Purchase Property Inspections
A useful summary of the considerable information available to lawyers about the advice they should give their clients about Pre-Purchase Inspections.

The Buying Process
Understanding the buying process can be daunting. Here is a diagram that makes it clear and simple to follow.

Plans & Approvals Process
A flow chart that shows the various stages in the Plans and Approvals process.

The Building Process
A really useful chart showing the critical stages in the building process.

Identifying and Reporting Defects
A really useful flowchart for identifying and reporting defects in a property.

Proof of Condition
A really useful flowchart to assist with the important matter of proof of condition of a property.

The Maintenance Process
This flowchart illustrates all the key steps in keeping your property professionally maintained.

At Tyrrells we are always looking to add to our resources for those interested in the property market. Please let let us know, in the comments below, what building related subjects you would like to know more about.