Non “statutory” building inspection is not regulated in Victoria. This means that every man and his dog are getting into the act. Beware or you may end with the dog!

Here are some issues you may want to think about before getting your investment inspected.

1 Qualifications: many building inspection companies are advertising but qualifications are nowhere to be found. If they don’t mention any, it’s probably because they have none or are dodgy. Stay away!

2  If they mention qualifications look closely. If they don’t have qualifications in building surveying (that excludes 90%)they won’t be able to advise you properly on regulations, BCA, standards and items of site safety. Your and your family’s safety is more important than the condition of your investment.

3  If they offer you free advice on how to inspect yourself it’s like offering you DIY brain surgery. You don’t know what to look for. What if you took their advice and your child drowns. Don’t accept free advice it’s not worth the risk and is worthless. Don’t do it yourself.

4  If they offer you money back, or offer to replace if they miss something, they are betting against themselves, it just means they are not confident about what they do. Give it a miss.

5  If they tell you they check electrical and plumbing it is misleading, potentially dangerous and may give you a false sense of security. I am building expert but I am not qualified in everything. Electrical and Plumbing are licensed trades and unless the inspector is licensed plumber or electrician he is not qualified to check anything.

I have a lot more to tell you but you will have to come back another time.