Month: July 2019

Problems and extra costs are avoided when you know the condition of the property before you purchase it. A pre-purchase property inspection report known as a building inspection report is the best way to avoid headaches and heartaches.

Building and pest inspections Melbourne offer the services you need to know if the property is sound or not. Having an inspection done helps you decide whether to proceed with the sale or get out of the deal.

Reasons to hire a building and pest inspections services

Some buyers may think that having a property inspected by a building and pest inspector is an extra expense they can do without. However, consider the following reasons before you judge it to be an unnecessary expense:

• A building and pest expert can advise you of any major problems about the property
• Lets you know about the problems of the property in advance
• Provides you a way to use the information as a negotiation tool to lower the price of the property

Contents of the inspection report

The condition, age, and size of the property determine the cost of the report. There are variations to the building inspection reports. Some of them will be in a standard format while a comprehensive checklist may be used by some. Customised reports can also be requested which may or may not include photographs. A report that complies with the Australian Standard is the most important thing.

Only a visual inspection is included in a standard building inspection report. Other hidden problems and structural defects may not be identified by the report. Additional assessment can be requested from a suitable and experienced building and pest inspector, structural engineer, water supply authority, surveyor or electricity supply authority.

Site information included in a building and pest inspection report

• Paths and driveways
• Garden shed, garage, and carport
• Stormwater run-off
• Separate toilet or laundry
• Surface water drainage
• Non-structural small retaining walls
• Fencing
• Steps

Areas of the property normally included in the inspection

• Site of the property
• The building’s interior
• The building’s exterior
• Spaces under the roof
• Spaces under floors
• The exterior of the roof

Other inspection requests

• Operable smoke alarms
• Visible asbestos problems
• Existence of an electrical safety switch

Things that will not be covered by a standard inspection report

• Parts of the property that could not be inspected
• Parts of the property that were not inspected
• Inspections that are beyond the expertise of the inspector
• Repair costs estimate
• Detection of termites
• Other minor defects

Things that are not normally checked and inspected

• Television reception
• Footings
• Hazards
• Concealed damp-proofing
• All windows
• Smoke detectors and electrical wiring
• Air conditioning
• Paint coatings
• Gas fitting, plumbing, and drainage
• Watering systems
• Linoleums and carpets
• Pool equipment and swimming pools
• Intercom and alarm systems
• Appliances such as range hoods, ovens, hot plates, ducted vacuum systems, and dishwashers
• Chimneys and fireplaces

Are you thinking of buying a property in Melbourne? If you want to get the best value for your money and not be surprised by any damages and unforeseen expenses, investing in building and pest inspections services should be your first step before acquiring a property.

People who have a lot of greenery in their landscape know how expensive it can get to make sure the area stays well hydrated. The water bill can go sky high and make it difficult to maintain the lawns. However the landscapers in northern NSW can help when it comes to water conservation for your landscape. They do it with the help of a technique known as xeriscaping.

So what exactly is xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping simply means conserving water or using it efficiently to water the landscape. A landscape which has been xeriscaped is able to adapt to conditions when there is scarcity of water.

Xeriscaping is done using the following techniques:

• Adding compost and organic material to soil helps to keep it soft and therefore be able to absorb the moisture from the surroundings. If the soil is too dry it doesn’t absorb water well and despite the fact that you irrigate it well you may need to use more and more water just because the quality of the soil is not good enough.
• Mulching plants. Mulching refers to barriers which are put into the soil to create a distance between the plants and the oil. This is done for the purpose of helping the soil retain moisture. This in turn prevents water loss through the process of evaporation.
• Choosing the right kind of plants for the landscape. Plants which are tolerant to draught, high winds and other elements are incorporated into the landscape. Native plants are well adapted to the soil and the first choice of all landscapers.
• Grouping plants according to the water needs. All plants have different water needs. However, grouping plants with similar water needs makes it easier to provide the right amount of water to the complete area within a landscape. This allows for effective programming of the irrigation system. For example if you have a few nonnative plants you can make sure to plant those together to allow for more water to be transported to that particular area only.
• Reducing the turf grass in the yard. Turning grassy areas into flower beds or adding a bit of mulch to the grass can help keep the area well hydrated. Grass absorbs a great deal of water. Reducing grassy areas can help conserve water.

Water conservation tips from landscapers in northern NSW

• The right way to go about irrigating the lawn is to water the area early in the morning. This is because the air is cooler at that time and there is less water loss due to evaporation.
• Installing devices which can check the moisture level in your irrigation system can help save water. Sensors can sense when the soil becomes dry therefore sprinklers are opened during that time only.
• Keep the weeds at bay.
• Make use of rain barrels. These are great for collecting rain water and prevent it from escaping through the landscape.

Keeping all these tips in mind can make your landscape look beautiful and green throughout the year. Just make sure you talk to landscapers servicing northern NSW for all your landscaping requirements.