Pre Purchase Inspection

Everyone thinks about building and pest inspections when buying a new house, but do you realise that including a pre purchase inspection for asbestos in your new home could be more crucial and cost-effective in the long run than dealing with termites or even structural damage?

Any house built prior to the mid 1980s can potentially have asbestos building products internally and externally.

Asbestos in residential dwellings can cause many problems for homeowners including:

• Expensive removal in the event of any damage to asbestos materials.
• Difficulty in undertaking maintenance with specialised contractors required even for painting.
• Potential asbestos fibre release from even the smallest disturbance like installing hanging hooks.
• Issues in undertaking building works including renovations, as many building contractors now refuse to work in buildings where asbestos is present.
• Potential difficulties in selling residences in the future as asbestos law changes may occur, as may public opinions and perceptions surrounding asbestos.
• Exposure of your family and friends to asbestos fibres over time.

By engaging Envirohealth Consulting to conduct a comprehensive asbestos audit of your new home through pre purchase inspection, we can assure you that our comprehensive report will detail all of the asbestos potentially located within the residence. All Envirohealth Consulting inspectors are licensed asbestos assessors.

Asbestos components in electrical switchboard

Weathered residues on asbestos cement roof

The inspections are non-invasive and can be carried out with minimal disturbance to the occupants. All samples are collected so that no damage requiring repairs occurs.

We also include recommendations for any immediate actions that may be required and can consist of a budget estimated for removal or repair works that may be advantageous when making an offer on your new house.

As we are a National Association of Testing Authorities – NATA accredited laboratory based in Brisbane and Townsville, extensive sampling and analysis of suspect building materials is carried out as part of the inspection. This will avoid any disputes with future contractors or even with the agent or vendor.

Why spend your money on an asbestos pre purchase inspection?

• If asbestos is found, this can provide you with a bargaining tool for negotiations with the agent and vendor.
• You will know where the asbestos is in your house and what condition it is in. This will help you to prevent any damage occurring and reduce exposure of your family to asbestos fibres.
• Knowing where the asbestos in your house is located can also help you prioritise areas for removal or renovation.
• If it is an investment property you can provide the report to the tenants so if any damage occurs you will have shown a duty of care by providing the detailed report to them.

If you are planning on renovating you can provide the report to your building contractor and make them do the right thing.