One of the terrific things about building a brand new home is that you’re starting from scratch. There are no ‘fixer-upper’ issues and a reprieve before maintenance kicks in. Seems ideal, right? Well, the fact of the matter is, nothing is perfect and building defects DO happen in new properties. So, when you’re looking for building defects in new properties, what are the common problems?
Table of Contents
Common Structural Defects In New Buildings
Foundations and Stumping
The foundation of your home is the most critical piece of the construction puzzle. Foundations laid or stumped incorrectly can result in a vast number of problems including wall and ceiling cracks, internal structural damage, poorly supported and uneven flooring, and damage to tiling.
While stumped homes can be restumped once the home is complete, foundations are another matter. These are best checked by a Brisbane building inspector BEFORE the structure is built on top of them.
Structural Defects
After the importance of foundations, the structure of your home is another critical one. The bones of the building are what the aesthetics hang off but are also what keep your home together. Shoddy carpentry, defective wood or steel, or damage that has occurred during the building process can cause costly damage to your home, such as cracks and leaning. It can ultimately affect the safety of residents.
Incorrect or Unsafe Electrical Wiring and Fire Systems
We’ve all heard stories, or know someone, who laughingly mentioned moving into their new home, or staying somewhere else, and discovering that switches in the house were turning on the wrong lights and fans.
You hear these stories because this DOES happen. And it’s amusing, for sure, but it should also ring alarm bells in your head – if these issues are occurring, what is the rest of the electrical work like? Is it to standard and safe for you and your family?
Electrical and Fire Systems are both things you will absolutely need professionally checked.
Water Leaks
Water leaks aren’t just something that happens when things get old. Faults and installation quality play a big part in the cause of water leaks and can result in damage to walls, cabinetry, and flooring as well as damp and mould.
It’s not uncommon for new property owners to discover roof leaks months down the track when the next rains come along. Poor construction technique and sealing around skylights, roof-mounted air conditioning systems, and chimneys can cause quite a headache and a heap of expensive damage to your brand new property.
Likewise, you’re in for a stressful time if the plumbing is of poor quality or not sealed properly. Check all taps and under-sink pipes for leaks, cross-threading, damage, and any other issues.
Poor Quality Materials
Poor quality materials is a trending issue for investors and homeowners alike, with imported fixtures and materials being chosen to minimise expense and, for investors, maximise profit.
Understandably, a property owner might want to minimise the cost of building a home, but take a look at fixtures and materials used and ask yourself questions like:
- “Is this made to Australian Standards?”
- “Can I get a lightbulb locally and easily that suits this light fitting?”
- “Will the quality of this stand the test of time?”
- “Does the quality of this affect the structure and safety of my property?”
What Is The Takeaway Message Here?
Be thorough. Don’t hide your concerns or be afraid to ask a million questions before signing on the dotted line at handover. Most importantly of all, though, is that you hire an experienced and qualified professional building inspector. They will take the stress off your shoulders and use their construction experience and knowledge to find the defects in your new home that you may not see.
Ben Patterson is the Director and Building Inspector at Safeguard Inspections Manly West. He offers high-quality building and pest inspections that will bring you peace of mind in identifying common and uncommon building defects in old and new properties.