Welcome to Episode 7 of our podcast, where we continue to share valuable insights for property buyers in the Southern Highlands. In this episode, Paul Denny from Bowral Conveyancing Centre explains why building and pest inspections are critical before committing to a property purchase.
Paul outlines the risks that buyers often cannot see at first glance, such as roof damage, septic system failures, and poor stormwater management. He also highlights the devastating impact of pests like termites and borers, which can cause extensive hidden damage and, in severe cases, lead to demolition. With decades of experience, Paul stresses why these reports are essential and how they can even provide grounds to renegotiate or reconsider a purchase.
Listeners will also learn the importance of commissioning their own reports, the limitations of vendor-supplied inspections, and how speaking directly with inspectors can provide additional insights. For just a fraction of the property’s cost, a thorough building and pest report can save buyers from making costly mistakes.
If you’re considering buying a home, this episode is a must-listen. Discover why expert inspections are non-negotiable and how they protect your investment.
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Key Takeaways from the Episode
Paul emphasises the importance of building and pest inspections in the buying process. Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:
Hidden Structural Issues – Problems with roofs, roof frames, septic systems, or stormwater management may not be visible but can be costly to fix.
The Danger of Termites – Termites and borers can destroy a home from the inside out, with damage often undetectable without professional inspection.
Risk Factors – Garden beds against walls, nearby termite-infested trees, and poor drainage can all increase pest risk.
Cost vs Value – Building and pest reports cost around $500, but can save buyers tens of thousands of dollars in repairs or even prevent a poor purchase.
Agent-Provided Reports – Vendor-commissioned reports can be useful, but should be verified by calling the inspector or commissioning your own for peace of mind.
Negotiation Leverage – Serious defects uncovered may allow buyers to renegotiate or walk away from a purchase.
Trusted Guidance – Bowral Conveyancing Centre helps clients interpret reports and make informed property decisions.
Podcast Transcript
Episode Title: Protecting Your Investment with Building and Pest Inspections
Host: Ian (Speaker 2)
Guest: Paul Denny (Speaker 1)
Date: September 29, 2024
Transcript
Ian (00:00.310)
Now in the studio, I have Paul Denny. A very good morning to you. You’re from Bowral… tell me the name of your business, please.
Paul (00:09.410)
Bowral Conveyancing Centre.
Ian (00:11.500)
Bowral Conveyancing Centre. And you can Google that, and you can find all the information that you need, which is important. Now today we want to talk about building, pest, and strata reports.
Paul (00:20.000)
Yeah, look. In previous weeks, we’ve spoken about getting someone who knows what they’re looking for to look at a contract. This time, I want to talk about looking at the property itself. Now, clearly, a builder has got a better eye for detail than a layperson, so it’s critical to get a building report on a property when you’re looking to buy.
Some of the things that have been identified that aren’t immediately obvious that I’ve noticed over the years is the roof and the roof structure. I have seen reports where the building inspector has said, “This will need a new roof in about two years’ time.” Well, you can imagine what that’s going to cost. So you need to know about that. Septic systems in some parts of the Highlands obviously need to be looked at and made sure they’re functioning correctly, because correcting those costs a lot of money.
And they would make recommendations, like perhaps the stormwater’s not being dispersed properly. So there are just a few examples of the things that can come up which aren’t immediately obvious.
Clearly, you need to know about that if you’re buying a property. If they are serious, it may be an opportunity to renegotiate the price, or you may decide not to go ahead at all.
Ian (01:21.000)
Yeah, I’ve purchased a number of properties over the years. One of the things that always worries me is pests.
Paul (01:25.000)
Yes. That’s the most important one because they’re destructive. We’re not talking about spiders and cockroaches; we’re talking about termites and borers, etc. And again, looking at the property, you don’t necessarily know they’re there because they’re nibbling away at the framework behind the bricks on the outside. They have ways to identify them; they can actually put a listening device on the internal walls and hear the termites nibbling away at the timber behind it, which I find interesting.
Again, they will identify a risk factor. So, for instance, someone may have built a garden bed up against the exterior wall. Well, that provides a bridge for termites to get from the ground and into the property. Or there may perhaps be a tree nearby that’s eaten out by termites, and once they finish there, they go looking for something else to eat. That’s probably the most important one because if the property is affected by termites, it can be very, very expensive, to the point that the house has to be demolished. So I wouldn’t compromise on any of those at all.
Ian (02:38.500)
Now it’s best to get your own report rather than rely on somebody else’s report, I imagine.
Paul (02:42.500)
Ultimately, yes. There are different ways you can get a report. One is obviously to commission one yourself. They are about $500 for a building and pest report, around that mark. Money well spent. Sometimes an agent will provide a report, which is fine up to a point, but I always recommend that if the report provided to you by the agent is one that’s commissioned by the vendor, what you should really do is read the report, digest it, give the inspector a call, and discuss it with them. That way, anecdotally, you’ll pick up how thorough they’ve been and whether they’ve actually been honest about the report. If you have any reservations, then get your own report.
Ian (03:30.000)
Okay, now all this information is on your website. The first step, the best step, is to check out your website.
Paul (03:34.644)
Absolutely. www.bowralconveyancing.com.au
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Key Information
Website: www.bowralconveyancing.com.au
Paul Denny is far from your average conveyancer. With a career spanning over four decades, Paul has established himself as a trailblazer in the industry. Starting his career in South Australia in 1978, Paul had early exposure to working alongside solicitors, gaining hands-on experience in the conveyancing landscape.
When legislation finally allowed the licensing of conveyancers in New South Wales in 1993, Paul didn’t hesitate to relocate and become the first licensed conveyancer in the state. From that moment, he made it his mission to deliver exceptional service, simplify property transactions, and help clients achieve their real estate goals.
After years of managing a successful practice in Sydney under the Paul Denny Conveyancing name, Paul took a step back from running a large organisation. However, his love for conveyancing led to the creation of Bowral Conveyancing Centre, a boutique service dedicated to the Southern Highlands community.