The Politics Of Smoke Alarms
From 1993 to 2015, CSIRO conducted tests on smoke alarms but the public is yet to read the findings. This comes at a time when activists want ionised smoke alarms banned due to alleged issues with response times to common fires. In America, the alarm...
Read moreA Good Building Inspection Is Better Than An Expensive Cure
Put yourself in Hao’s shoes. He buys his dream home only to discover a buyer’s worst nightmare: most of his buildings are illegal.
As the Whittlesea Council says: His bungalow was constructed without a permit. And to add insult to financial in...
Read moreThe D-Word: Time To Talk Depreciation
Sad fact: Many Australian rental property owners are failing to correctly calculate depreciation.
“I have often seen clients who have owned investment properties for five, six or seven years and have never claimed any form of depreciation becaus...
Read moreFact - Termites Hate Good Building Inspectors
A good building inspector knows how to find termite issues. A bad building inspector, by way of contrast, is a termite’s best friend.
When Joe Blow (not his real name) bought a two-bedroom 1920s terrace in Sydney’s inner west for around $1 mil...
Read moreWhat is Caveat Emptor?
Increasingly property buyers are aware of their responsibility to discover building defects before sale – this is known as the Latin principle Caveat Emptor or ‘buyer beware’.
The full quotation is ‘caveat emptor, qui ignorare no...
Read moreWhy Rental Safety Inspections Matter
“When Jonathan’s family rented a home they began experiencing recurring headaches,” reports news.com.au. “Then they made a shocking discovery.”
It turns out that Jonathan and even his children were victims of dangerous traces of crystal ...
Read moreNovember is Asbestos Awareness Month
Yes. It’s that time of year again. November is Asbestos Awareness Month.
Why Asbestos Awareness Month?
It’s a national effort with a noble goal. Asbestos Awareness Month is about fighting ignorance through education. The aim is to increase awa...
Read moreBuying Off-The-Plan Housing Needn't Be Scary
Buying an off-the-plan house needn’t be scary if you make smart choices.
One important choice: Seeking out experts in New Construction – and Jim’s Building Inspections is a good place to start.
Buying off-the-plan with professional guidan...
Read moreTo Buy Or Not To Buy (Off The Plan)
To buy or not to buy (off the plan) is an important issue for an increasing number of new homebuyers and property investors.
When done responsibly with professional guidance (offered by Jim’s Building Inspections, for example) it can be a positi...
Read moreHow To Avoid Renovation Traps
Renovations done right can pay off. Literally. That said there are some serious traps to avoid.
Potential problems from wiring to asbestos issues often come up especially in older houses, so it’s important to seek professional help. Jim’s Buil...
Read more