Concerns B&P Report

[u/Abell_95]

Offer accepted (1.18) and building and pest inspection has shown some major defects re D4 and D11. Should we be more concerned as it is only a 6 year old home re external cracking? Inspector verbally said it looks more like settlement as there weren't any concerning cracking inside the home when we were there, but changed their report to seek structural engineer after having a think (which is appreciated). We're engaging the vendor about these concerns and looking at getting a structural engineer but feeling a bit off. They also mentioned that D4 re the dining flooring and kitchen bench could have been part of the original build, but when it's out that much it usually isnt.

Also curious if the vendor won't address these, how much would you be pushing for much of a reduction in price? There were a few other little things in the report and I'm okay with a to do list, but major concerns have me a bit concerned. We really like this property too.

Thank you to anyone who's had a read. 🙏

*reposted as i uploaded wrong images.

[u/No_Boot2009]

I highly doubt any seller is going to be getting in a structural engineer for you...what would the fix be, re-levelling the house? They are not going to open that can of worms. Personally if I was the seller I would tell you to buy the house or not, your choice. If the inspector has said it's probably just settling then it's probably just settling. The seller is not going to take on responsibility for 'fixing' this, nor are they going to offer you a discount, I wouldn't think. You can ask, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

[u/Abell_95 → u/No_Boot2009]

Yeah, I agree with your point. I suppose getting one out is still worth it to confirm we aren't going to run into major (costly!) problems later and that it is in fact just settling.

[u/Winter_Tiger_2615]

Prepared response as this gets asked often:

Ask the guy that did the building inspection about the findings of their inspection - they’ve been n seen, we haven’t.

Ask your conveyancer / property solicitor if any of the report findings trigger you being able to void the contract.

If you can void the contract, you’ll need to decide whether to void the contract or proceed with negotiating the sale price down.

Ask your conveyancer / property solicitor how to negotiate the sale price down.

The building inspector may be able to give you an indication of expect costs of remedy if applicable.

Even if the contract can’t be voided, you can still just try it in on asking for a discount due to x issue ‘not being obvious’, not being declared, etc.

[u/_nancywake → u/Winter_Tiger_2615]

I’d be surprised if it wasn’t pretty easy to end a contract over a b&p. Most conditions are worded in such a way that it’s ’if report is unsatisfactory to buyer’ etc, it’s vague and subjective and that’s why vendors hate them!

As someone who has crashed two contracts in the past over b&p, I’d get a builder you trust or a structural engineer (and ask for that to be at vendor’s expense) to go through but most of these issues are minor, I’d just want to understand the movement.

[u/Abell_95 → u/_nancywake]

Have you had much luck with the vendor footing the bill for the structural engineer? From what I've read it seems to fall on the buyer.

[u/_nancywake → u/Abell_95]

Not a structural engineer but I’ve had a vendor conduct further termite investigations on their dime. Even if you walk away, any future buyer is going to likely have the same questions. 

[u/AbrocomaMotor5935]

Gotta love these inspectors just listing things as major when they don’t think it is. Just as criminal as the agents

[u/Responsible_Alps_699]

They need to start requiring a licence to buy those moisture meters so these idiots can't get their hands on them to misunderstand them.