structure report

Milltown17

Hi,Im just looking for some advice regarding a house im in the process of buying.The seller is selling it without homebond due to the fact the builder of the house has gone bust.the house was built in 2007.Ive got a engineers report done but that was very vague just a walk through of the house really he had it done in a hour.What im wondering, is it possible to get a full structural report done on the house now,I want someone to do a full inspection on the foundation and roof and sign off on it, if everything in the house in up to spec, I dont know is this possible now 5 years on.I would be greatful if someone could help me with this.

archtech

The fact the the builder has gone bust shouldn't effect the homebond cover, not that that amounts to much to be honest.

In terms of a structural report , how much are you willing to spend on it, as that will to some extent determine the level of detail. Normally pre-purchase reports would be based on visual inspections only and would not involve opening up of covered up works such as foundations, floor construction, etc. By definition they are not really a structural report. The roof structure can normally be covered by a visual inspection , you could get thermal imaging and an air tightness test done, have the heating and electrical and drain inspected and tested subject to the vendors consent, but it would be at your expense.

It may be possible to get some records from the supervising professional ( at a fee) involved in the construction, in terms of what was done, as s/he may has issued a Certificate of Inspection of Open Foundations etc.

Poor Uncle Tom

+1 to archtech,
you could also get the foundations cored and strength tested, but again this doesn't guarantee anything it just gives you and indication of probability.

harry21

The foundatiosn and the structure could be absolutely perfectly up to spec and the structure may still fail. Look at the ground also is my advise, and any nearby older dwellings/structures. Will give good indication of ground conditions.

Milltown17

thanks for your feedback,they have produced a foundation cert from a engineer.The pre purchase report done for me came back good and the engineer who did it for me said the house is in good condition.what i really want to know is would you by the house without a structure cert.

Milltown17

ground conditions are wet enough around the site but drainage in the site is not too bad

harry21

Structural reports are limited to the point that your not going to uncover a problem unless it is very serious and current.

Can you do some background on the builder to find out if he had a good reputation before going bust? Maybe go look at older developements by same builder?