Dedant Building and Pest

  Coronavirus and building inspections: What you need to know The Coronavirus has brought about many changes. Social distancing, isolation, rigorous hand washing and frequent disinfecting are all a part of life now. Many businesses are also struggling. Industries such as travel agencies, airlines, cafes and restaurants have been devastated. The building and pest inspection industry are in a better position, as it is tied to the property market. Despite COVID-19, houses are still being auctioned across Australia's capital cities. Last weekend alone, 2539 homes went to auction. Onsite and in-person auctions may be prohibited, but virtual property tours, private inspections and digital/online auctions are still happening. Houses are still being auctioned and sold at the present moment. Building and pest inspections are absolutely necessary for anyone looking to buy a house. ​How is DedAnt responding to the Coronavirus Crisis? The work of building and pest inspection requires a certain...

Pre-Purchase Building and Pest Inspection Getting a pre-purchase building and pest inspection is a vital step when purchasing an existing home.  A pre-purchase building and pest inspection is a visual inspection of the property, that reports on major issues, minor issues and termite/borer activity or evidence. It is recommended that your purchase contract is reliant on your satisfaction with the outcome of your building and pest inspection. What is a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection? When you have found the perfect home or investment property, you generally love the location, nearby amenities and the 'look' of the property. However, it takes an industry expert to see the full picture. Building inspectors are highly experienced professionals with extensive experience in the construction industry and have further training to become an inspector. There are two parts to the pre-purchase inspection: The building inspection looks at structural issues, hazards and maintenance concerns...

Completing a building project is always a massive achievement, however even after construction is done, you still have to do the handover inspection. This step can confuse many people, so we will be answering your handover inspection questions in this blog. What is a new build handover? When you want to build your dream home from scratch, you need to go through several steps. These include getting the finances in order, finding the right site, choosing the right building contractors and then the construction process itself. After this, mandatory inspections are done which ensure that the house is a livable dwelling with weatherproofing, power and water connected. However, after this, you’re still not done. The new build handover inspection must be conducted. This is the final examination of the house to make sure it’s built up to standard and to your specifications. Why is the handover inspection so important? It is the final step before you make a payment, so it’s important to get it ...

  6 of the most common faults found in building inspections Whether you’re buying or selling, you should look out for the most common faults found in building inspections. These faults can impact price negotiations significantly. If you’re selling you want to address these problems early and if you’re a buyer, you want to use these faults to drop the price of the house. 1) Degraded fencing Wooden fences are a common feature in many homes. However, they are also among the most prominent faults in any property. Over time wooden fences become degraded due to weather and pests like termites. You should consider termite treatment if this is the case. Fences are vital as they offer security and a barrier between your land and the rest of the world. An inspection can reveal the quality of the fence. 2) Concrete roof tile issues Concrete tiles are economical and durable. However, a building inspection can reveal hidden faults with this type of roofing. Mould, fading paint and cracked til...

More people than ever are embracing green living. If you’re looking to live a greener, cleaner life, you should plan a sustainable garden. With this garden, you can build an edible landscape and literally enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of your labour. Why sustainable gardening? Building a sustainable garden where you can grow fruits and vegetables has so many benefits. By growing your own food, you know it is safe and healthy for your family to eat. In the long run, a sustainable garden may even save you money. Eventually, you will find that you recycle your produce into self-made compost and avoid spending hundreds of dollars a week on groceries. Building your sustainable garden Coming up with a plan to build a sustainable garden requires consideration of space, resources and specific plants. Choose a space that has quality soil with good sun exposure and access to plenty of water. Select crops that suit the season and climate. If you don’t choose the right plants, they will not ...

The effects of COVID-19 have profoundly impacted industries like real estate, trades, building inspection and pest control. As the lockdown is expected to last for at least a few more months, it is worth asking – what is the link between coronavirus and real estate? To examine what could become of industries like real estate, as well as building and pest control, we must first look at what the current situation is. The current situation The real estate industry is fortunate as compared to other industries, as it has not had to fully shut down. Similarly, businesses closely tied to the real estate industry, like building and pest inspection companies, are still operating also. Many industries have had to change because of coronavirus and real estate is no exception. Agents have taken to using virtual tours to sell homes. In the building and pest inspection industry, businesses are taking careful steps to maintain health and safety such as staff-only inspections. Given the current econo...

The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions have been difficult, not least for those who work as tradespeople. Our list of coronavirus tips for building and pest inspectors will help you navigate this difficult time. Beyond the economic hardship that is affecting everyone, rules around social distancing and limits on the number of visitors to a house have made it difficult for people in industries like pest and building inspection to do their job. However, we have put together a list of tips to help building and pest inspectors stay afloat during this time. 1)     Keep up to date with current rules One of the most important coronavirus tips we can all follow is to stay informed. It is vitally important to keep up with all the latest information regarding coronavirus and current restrictions. Your best sources are The Australian Government website or your state's government website. For Dedant Building and Pest Inspection, as we are a Queensland-bas...

It is important to know the scope of a building and pest inspection before you agree to have one carried out on a property. Building inspections can cost hundreds of dollars, so you should know exactly what the service entails. Knowing the scope of the inspection before it happens will also better prepare you for the findings of the report. What an inspection looks at A building and pest inspection examines the structural elements of a house to determine major defects, minor defects and safety hazards associated with the property. Major defects include cracking and movement, deformation, excessive moisture behind walls, fungal decay and evidence of a termite infestation. By comparison, minor defects include chipped tiles, broken handles and cosmetic damage. A property’s interior and exterior, roof space, sub-floor space, and roof exterior are all looked at during an inspection. Furthermore, structures such as patios, decking, fences, timber retaining walls and stumps are all examined....

Getting advice on a building and pest inspection in Brisbane can be difficult. It is difficult to know what questions to ask. Consequently, we have created a list of 5 questions to ask a pest inspector over the phone to help you find a dedicated professional. 1) “What are your qualifications?” You never want a tradesperson who is not qualified. Dodgy tradies are a real problem and you should always be on the lookout. One of the easiest ways to determine a legitimate pest inspector from a fake is to ask for their qualifications. All building inspectors must have completed their Residential Building Inspectors Course. Prior to completing this, they will have already had 5+ years of experience. Furthermore, only a licensed Pest Controller can conduct an inspection. These licenses come from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Only once you’ve verified an inspector has all these things should you continue. 2) “What is involved in the inspection process?” The...

People can have many different reasons for wanting an inspection report. They may be buying, selling, renovating or concerned about an infestation or potential building fault. You should know exactly what inspection reports are available to you and what these reports mean. When you know how to properly interpret the findings, you can make the best possible choice moving forward. Standard Building and Inspection Report Standard Building and Pest Inspections are conducted when you are selling your house, purchasing a new property, prior to renovation or for other reasons. These inspections look for faults that are listed in reports as either "major" or "minor". Major structural defects are issues that require immediate attention. These include termite damage, water leakage and a lack of handrails of stairs. Conversely, Minor structural issues include cosmetic or slight defects that do not threaten your safety or require immediate action. For example, minor issues inc...

Your pre-purchase building inspection is so important to get right, as it allows you to make note of faults you might not have otherwise seen. At Dedant, we have 3 pre-purchase building inspection steps that we follow to ensure we do the job right. By knowing these faults, you can make an informed decision about purchasing a new house. Because buying a home is so expensive, you'll want to make a careful decision about the final purchase. With this knowledge, you may wish to negotiate down the price or compel the seller to fix it. Alternately, you may choose not to buy the house at all. At Dedant Building and Pest Inspection, we conduct a comprehensive inspection that looks at structural issues, moisture issues and pests. These three things can all have a major impact on a house you’re looking to buy. Looks like a perfect home, right? Well maybe not. A pre-purchase inspection can reveal hidden flaws. 1)     Structural issues The first of our building inspection steps ...

Water damage poses a major threat to any property. By allowing water build up and excess moisture in your home, you risk the safety and liveability of the home you love. Moisture attracts dangerous pests, such as cockroaches , silverfish and termites . It also breeds mould which releases toxic spores into the air which can impact your health. Such moisture and excess water can also cause structural and aesthetic damage as well. Given the risks associated with excess moisture, you should do all that you can to avoid it. Here are our top tips to stop moisture build up in your home. 1) Keep gutters clear Gutters are designed to control the flow of water off roofs and into an area that will not damage the house. However, gutters can become blocked by the build-up of debris such as leaves. A blocked gutter can’t carry water. Instead, water overflows and travels down walls. This water can seep into your home’s electrical system, pool around your foundation and ruin the external walls of you...

Wasps are a dangerous and troublesome pest. Your home will never be safe until you get rid of wasps that lurk around your home. This is because wasps can deliver a nasty sting to you that can cause you pain and even serious injury. From 2000 to 2013, wasps and bees caused twice as many hospital admissions as snakes. However, unlike bees, wasps can sting you as many times as they want without dying. Our 5 tips will help you get rid of wasps and ensure your home is always protected. 1)     Fake Nests As they are naturally territorial animals, wasps will instinctively work to avoid the nests of other wasps and hornets. Consequently, if they see a nest in an area, they will be more likely to avoid setting up their own nests in this area. You can take advantage of this by having your own artificial, fake nest placed on your property. This method is not a 100% effective way to get rid of wasps. Instead, this option should be complemented with other treatment options. 2)...

Finding cracks around your home can be evidence of a serious problem. As such, you should be cautious if you've found cracks around your property. This blog will guide you through the causes of cracks , where they're commonly found and what you can do about them. 1)     Cracks found in flooring Cracks in your floor are generally caused by problems with the foundation. These cracks can worsen over time, which can result in water leaks and other issues. Changes in soil are generally the cause of such cracks. When the ground around the foundation of your home becomes too dry, the soil around the foundation can shrink. This shrinking weakens the support for the foundation and causes it to move or sink, resulting in cracks. Similarly, when the soil becomes filled with groundwater , it can expand and push the foundation up, also resulting in cracks. 2)     Cracks found in walls Cracks can also be found in the walls of your home. The cause of such cracks...

Our inspectors at Dedant see many regularly occurring faults with houses. However, one of the most common and most damaging is rust. You should know how to prevent rust in order to protect your home. Rust is what occurs when metal is exposed to oxygen and moisture. It causes an orange-brown discolouration that erodes the metal, causing it to become brittle and prone to breaking. Rust has even been known to cause bridges to collapse. You can take these steps to prevent rust in the metals around your home. 1)     Keep metals dry Rust needs the right conditions to occur – namely, a high amount of moisture and exposure to the sun. As such, you should endeavour to keep metals dry. Keep all your metal items and surfaces as clean as possible. One of the most common places to find rust in your gutters, because water gets caught and causes metal to oxidise, producing rust. Thus, you should keep your gutters clean to prevent a build-up of moisture. 2)     K...

Mould is a major threat to your home, health and overall quality of life. You should take proactive steps to prevent mould from growing in your home before it becomes too large a problem. Mould has been known to cause health issues of all types, including a weakened immune system, allergies, severe asthma, nausea and lung disease. It is also a major eyesore to any home and can bring down the value of your home considerably if you’re looking to sell it. We have put together this guide to help you prevent a mould infestation in your home. 1)     Prevent moisture build-up Mould needs moisture and humidity to survive. As such, the first thing you should do is to prevent the build up of moisture . You can do this by first finding all places where mould builds up – do you have pipes that leak? Do you have a basement prone to flooding? Is there condensation around windows? Are your gutters clogged? Fixing leaky pipes, unclogging gutters and making an effort to dry the wet ...

Before you get your Building and Pest Inspection , it is important to know the areas that are not inspected in a building and pest inspection. Our qualified building and pest inspectors have extensive experience in the building industry and are very knowledgeable about building, structure, building hazards and identifying maintenance issues. They have also experienced pest controllers specialising in termite inspections and management. Other specialists that you may consider asking for advice before purchasing your new home are plumbers, electricians, swimming pool technicians, air conditioning technicians and smoke alarm technicians. By knowing what we don't inspect beforehand, you are able to make the necessary arrangements with other inspectors and tradespeople so that every aspect of your home can be examined. 1)     Electrical wiring Inspectors at Dedant Building and Pest Inspectors are not electricians. As such, we are not qualified to assess the safety or cond...

Moisture and water leakages are the reason behind many issues around the home. For this reason, you should know the most common causes of household water leakage. Water leakage causes rust on metal, creates mould and it causes wood to decay. At Dedant, we have over a decade of experience conducting building inspections.  As such, we know where most water leakages tend to originate from. By knowing the common causes of household water leakages, you can protect your home from these issues. 1)     Air conditioners Air conditions are one of the most common causes of water leakage. Your air conditioner produces water as part of the cooling process , some of which is used to cool the air and some of which is sent out the back of the unit. As such, there will inevitably be leakages. It is recommended you have a way to divert water away from your home and into the garden, such as a pipe or hose. If you don't, this can cause puddles to form which cause rust and decay ...

A building and pest inspection is a very important procedure for anyone buying, selling or renovating a home. As such, you should know how to prepare for a building and pest inspection. In our blog, we will go through the most important steps you can take to make the most out of your inspection. 1)     Research different companies and services One of the first things to do as you prepare for a building and pest inspection is research. You should investigate the different building and pest inspection companies, read the reviews and services they offer, along with the price. That way, you can be sure to get the best value for money. 2)     Ask questions to prospective inspectors Once you have settled on an inspector, you should call and speak to the staff. Read our previous blog for the 5 most important questions to ask your building and pest inspector . By getting in early and asking these questions before booking, you will be better informed abou...

When house hunting, looking out for water damage is essential. Water is the cause of many major household problems that can end up costing you thousands of dollars down the line. It's important to know the signs of water damage and what to look for when buying. 1)     Musty smell Before even walking through the door, one obvious sign of water damage when buying might be the smell. Houses with water damage produce a smell like wet cardboard or paper. The smell can waft through the entire property, but it is strongest in areas that have water damage. These are generally the bathroom, kitchen and laundry. 2)     Poorly maintained gutters Poorly maintained gutters are another sign of water damage. Gutters are designed to divert water away from the house and safely into the garden or municipal damage. When they are damaged, this can cause rainwater to spill onto your property and damage it. 3)     Pools of water near the founda...