Structural Building Regulations Review

If you are purchasing a newly built residential property you should have a structural building regulations review performed before completing your property purchase.  The Structural Building Regulations Review is an intrinsic part of the final stage between the purchaser and developer before full payment takes place.  To ensure that the property you are purchasing is built to appropriate standards, correctly and to a certain standard of finish it is vitally important to have a Structural Building Regulations Review performed .

A Structural Building Regulations Review is significantly different to a  Snag List. The Company that carries out a Structural Building Regulations Review will be a professional, and expert on building regulations standards and will have professional indemnity insurance.

The majority of newly completed residential properties have many incomplete, or incorrectly completed works that need rectifying before the purchase is made. It is very important to book a Structural Building Regulations Review when you are advised that the property is completed and ready for snagging. It really is a case of buyer beware.

What is a Structural Building Regulations Review?

A structural building regulations review is a professional detailed report that includes and reports on:

  • incomplete works
  • poorly constructed works
  • visible breaches in the current Building Regulations
  • issues that affect the value of the property
  • direction on certificates/information that should be provided by the developer
  • advise and information on how to properly understand certificates and information provided by a developer

Is there any difference between a Structural Building Regulations Review and a Snag List?

Yes there are several significant differences:

1a. A Structural Building Regulation Review is performed by a trained and qualified professional such as an engineer.

1b. A snag list is usually performed by a non professional

2a. The engineer performing the Structural Building Regulation Review will be looking for defects that are not obvious to the untrained eye, such as potential design defects in structural walls, roofs and floors, that currently present no visual signs of cracks or movement, inadequate ventilation in timber framed walls, breaches in fire stops and fire doors, incorrectly installed drains etc, and for items that do not comply with current building regulations.  The building constructor is not obliged to advise you of building defects known to them. Never presume that because a property is newly built that it will comply with all of the current building regulations, that it will be built correctly, or to a recommended standard.

2b. A snagger will be looking for and identifying minor building and cosmetic issues, but will not concentrate on important structural issues. A typical snagger will be focusing their attention on identifying individual cosmetic issues; their emphasis is not focused on the structure of the property and they may not even understand or recognise what is required under building regulation standards.

3a. A Structural Building Regulations Review will cost more than a snag list because it is performed by a qualified professional, with PI insurance, has undertaken regular training, and is up to date with current building regulations.

3b. A snag list is usually cheaper than a Structural Building Regulations Review as it is usually performed by a non professional who will not have PI insurance,(which is generally only available to professionals with a recognised qualification).

4a. A Structural Building Regulations Review will provide you with a useful and valuable report that will will include additional advice, information and direction to help you understand structural certificates/documentation for the property that may be provided by the developer/builder. You will be able to discuss any issues with a qualified professional.  

4b. A Snag List will supply you with a list of minor building and cosmetic issues for your builder to put right such as misaligned plug sockets, mismatched timbers, chipped bricks etc., but you will not be provided with a comprehensive report on important structural issues that should be attended to before you invest in a property.

 

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FAQ’s for a Structural Building Regulation Review

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