Pre-Purchase Advice
Great projects begin long before the first sketch.
Before committing to a property, it is important to understand what is possible, what it will take and whether the site can support your goals.
Our Pre-Purchase Advice service helps you assess opportunities, constraints, costs and risks before significant financial commitments are made, giving you greater clarity and confidence when making one of life's most important decisions.
Avoid costly mistakes
Purchasing a property without understanding its potential can be an expensive mistake.
Planning controls, site constraints, orientation, access to sunlight, title restrictions, heritage overlays and construction costs can all have a significant impact on what can ultimately be achieved.
A relatively small investment in expert advice can help you avoid costly surprises and make more informed decisions before proceeding.
More than a building inspection
Our service is fundamentally different from a building inspection.
While building inspectors assess the physical condition of a property, we assess its architectural potential.
We help you understand how a property might be renovated, extended or redeveloped, what restrictions may apply, and whether it is likely to support your long-term goals.
Where additional specialist advice is required, we can also help identify the right consultants to engage.
How We Assess a Property
Every property presents unique opportunities, constraints and risks. Our process provides a structured framework for evaluating a property's suitability before purchase.
1
Design Brief
You are much more likely to find the best property possible if you know clearly what you are looking for.
We can help you understand how much floor area you are likely to need to achieve the home you want. If this is done before you start looking for a property, you will be in a much better position to know what you are looking for. However, it is equally valuable to go through this exercise when you have already found a property you are interested in.
In the case of a renovation we can test feasibility by sketching out how your brief might be achieved in relation to the existing building. We will also advise on things like the quality of the site orientation and access to sunlight and views, which can be important factors in how a house will feel.
2
Budget
To determine the offer you are prepared to make, you will need at least a ballpark idea of what it will take to achieve the home you ultimately want. Having this research prepared early is a small investment that can protect you from very expensive and time consuming mistakes buying the wrong property, as well as give you confidence and clarity when putting in your bid on the right one.
With the floor areas estimated at Step 1, we can apply typical rates/m2 to help you understand the costs likely to be associated with achieving your brief. This is essential information to have when considering the purchase price of a new property.
We can also advise on what other costs you will have to allow for, for example, council levies, the consultants you are likely to need, and how much they typically cost.
3
Regulatory Restrictions
You need to know what your options will be. What will you be allowed to do? What will you not be allowed to do? What are the time and cost implications of a planning application? Will you need a BAL rating? The questions and answers are different for every site address.
We research the regulations that will be relevant to any development on a particular site. It is important to know whether or not you will need a planning permit, what the planning overlays mean, and whether there are any other restrictions.
For example, we will find out the likely height and setback limitations, whether you are in a flood, bushfire or termite zone and whether you can remove significant trees. We can advise on such things as the likelihood that your application will need to advertised, whether neighbours might be able to block your progress, and how much a heritage overlay will limit your options.
4
Title Restrictions
Sometimes there are covenants and easements on your title that restrict where or how you can build.
We review the title and help you understand any restrictions that may be relevant to your proposed development. If legal advice is necessary we can suggest a legal expert to contact.
5
Presentation of Findings to You
We can give you a written report and discuss the findings with you in person, or over the phone or via zoom for speed and convenience. If you need urgent answers due to an imminent Auction or Expression of Interest closure, we have fast track options.
6
Pricing and More Info
We can provide tailored advice on a specific property, helping you understand its opportunities, constraints and potential before making a significant financial commitment.
We recommend starting with a one-hour consultation, which provides sufficient guidance for most clients. Where additional investigations or more detailed studies are required, we will provide an estimate of any additional time and seek your approval before proceeding.
Pricing
First hour: $500 + GST
Additional time: $350 + GST per hour
For most clients, one hour provides the clarity they need to make a more informed decision.
If you decide to purchase the property and engage Hindley & Co for future design services, the cost of the Pre-Purchase Advice may be credited towards subsequent design fees.
If you would like to discuss a property you are considering, learn more about our process or confirm pricing and availability, we welcome you to get in touch.
What comes next?
If you decide to proceed with a property, the insights gained through Pre-Purchase Advice can form the foundation for the next stages of your project.
Many clients continue with Project Feasibility, Strategic Design Vision or Architecture services, allowing early research and decision-making to inform the design process from the outset.
