During these pre purchase inspections, I find it paramount in being there at the inspection. Even if you need to hop on a plane and travel to the location. It is a small price to pay for something that you are prepared to pay alot of money for.
I gain so much from walking around the inspection with these guys.... Alot of the info doesn't get recorded on the report, as some of my questions are general and also delve into other areas.
You will see that when you get a report back that they don't give too much away, and generally the companies indemnify themselves with regards to the observations undertaken.
For example........ I went to a duplex pre purchase inspection and ran through with both the building and pest guys and after an hour, they advised me on a couple of things of what to rectify, and what to look out for.....so all good. Once the report came, it read quite differently, and I was worried that the house was going to fall down. After calling them and discussing it with the actual inspectors, they advised me that it had to be written that way (wrt legislation and indemnificatioin)..... I see this happening in alot for 'advice giving' companies.
Also, you will find that the pre purchase inspections don't require inspectors to comment / or inspect on electrical and plumbing items. Most inspectors are builders, and can only provide advice on the dwellings structural integrity, and of course the pest guys on pest and termites.
Depending on who you get, you may get an inspector who flicks a switch every now and again, but if you want to be certain, a sparkie should be organised to run through and check any concerns with circuit testing and fuse box issues.
F