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Often, whenever people want to acquire a new home, they get so excited and sometimes too overwhelmed to observe the flaws that could be costly. This is why a home inspection is in existence. For a relatively small sum of money, you can prevent as much as is practical. So, if you wish to buy a house, this article is definitely for you.
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a detailed visual evaluation of a house system and physical structure at a given time. There are various methods of home inspection. A home inspection with a professional company like Jim's Building Inspections can be organised within 24 hours on most occasions.
Depending on the condition and size of the home, it can take as long as two hours.
Immediately after the inspection, the inspector will acquaint the customer with their findings. This will include photographs, recommendations, and reports.
Why Do You Need a Home Inspection?
Buying a new house is a joyous moment, and since it is a huge decision that shouldn't be taken lightly, one must be very careful. You may have found the right home for yourself and your family, but it is also crucial to critically examine the building and see that it is as good as claimed.
Many building elements can quickly deteriorate in the wrong conditions. Some elements and construction types are more challenging to replace than others. A home inspector's services ensure these kinds of issues are minimised after the purchase is formally completed.
When a home inspection is adequately carried out, it provides optimum ease of mind before you even sign the contract. Being aware of the proper state of your soon-to-be home allows you to decide what the property is worth. That way, you know what you are getting yourself into. You can make a reasonable offer and set aside how much money would be needed for possible repairs or maintenance.
Who Asks for the Services of a Home Inspector?
Typically, the buyer is the one that caters to examining and assessing their potential new home. Although, there have been cases where the seller carries this responsibility.
When you decide to buy a house, a particular number of days will be allocated to carry out an inspection.
This is often stipulated in the contract. You are primarily responsible for the expenses, and the prices differ depending on the property's location and size. A professional inspector practically combs through the whole property ranging from the basement to the attic, assessing, testing, and inspecting various parts of the property and their different life expectancies.
The inspection might reveal flaws like roof leaks, termite infestation, and perhaps non-compliant insulating systems; these things might require costly repairs. After inspecting a property during your cooling-off period, you have several options available, including bargaining for a lesser amount, cooling off of the contract (walking away) or continuing with the transaction knowing that you are in a more informed position.
Common Issues Found During a Home Inspection
The home inspector is expected to have gone through the whole property and provide you with findings on issues found. Some of these problems may include the following:
Electrical problems
A lot of damage to properties due to fire is primarily due to faulty electrical systems. The home inspector should inform you if any obvious issues are present, like the lack of safety switches or uninsulated wiring going to the shed.
However, you are not an electrician, so for further investigation of the electrical system, a licensed electrician may be required to scrutinise this part of the house properly. Electrical inspectors often find issues such as overloading fuses, fraying insulation, and degraded or missing junction boxes, to name just a few.
Plumbing faults
House purchases can be derailed due to major plumbing issues. They may include leaking inside the walls due to damaged pipework or badly clogged drains due to old pipework or tree roots.
This might eventually lead to changing the pipes completely. Plumbing should be examined because a leak might allow mould growth if not addressed. The inspector needs to use specialist equipment to ensure no stone is unturned when checking wet areas for defects regarding plumbing systems.
Foundation problems
If the foundations and footings of the building are not done correctly, it can present itself as the development of sagging floors and sometimes sticky doors and windows. Other signs, including cracking and footing rotation, can also signify foundation issues.
Repairing footings is a cumbersome process and can be very expensive. If not repaired, it worsens and leads to other faults in the building. Asides from sinking soils, other factors that may affect footings and foundations include:
- Natural disasters like earthquakes
- Root encroachments on foundations
- Inadequate construction processes
Old windows
Old windows should be changed. The inspector can quickly figure this out by checking if the panes are cracked or if there are leaks and failed seals. When the seal fails, it can result in moisture seeping along the panes and into the building envelope.
Cracked windows can eventually lead to breaks which can be very dangerous as this can jeopardise your safety. If you must make repairs, then the services of a very skilled professional must be obtained.
Roofing problems
Examination of the roof is also of extreme importance. This is because if there are roof leakages, it can mean the beginning of many problems to come. Inspection is thoroughly carried out on the roof to ensure that it is still of good quality and there are no signs of water damage.
Once again, if repairs are required, this is best carried out by licensed professional roof plumbers or roof tilers. Due to the expensive nature of roof repairs, these items are often skimped on, and handyman repairs are common, which can take a trained eye to diagnose correctly.
Drainage issues
This typically has to do with stormwater issues caused by inadequate drainage systems and a poorly graded property perimeter, causing water to travel back towards the dwelling.
Wood rot
The inspector will also check the wood or timbers throughout the dwelling, looking for any exposed timbers, and check for evidence of termites throughout the property, typically within the home and surrounding 50m of the property. Mould in homes is always bad news. When one is exposed to mould, it can lead to specific health conditions.
Excess moisture leads - on almost all indoor materials - to the growth of microbes such as moulds, fungi and bacteria, which subsequently emit spores and other matter into the indoor air. Exposure to these contaminants is related to many respiratory and other health-related problems.
It is worth noting that not all moulds are precisely visible but have a peculiar odour.
This makes them a bit hard to find; therefore, you should always look out for wet materials as they can enable their growth. Mould also serves as a risk factor for termite infestations. Thus, the related moisture might attract termites if mould growth is left unattended.
Termites, due to their nature, are tough to find with the naked eye alone. They are very cunning creatures that require years of training and knowledge to find and identify correctly. Pest control will then be necessary to assist in curbing this issue. As part of your building inspection, pest inspections must be included.
Poor maintenance
Issues like paint falling off, a worn-out carpet, or cracked driveways are simple things that can show that the property is not maintained correctly.
FAQs About Home Inspections
What is in a typical home inspection?
The home inspector's report often contains details about any issues with the home's foundations, roof members and cladding electricity, and plumbing systems. This goes without mentioning the analysis of the whole structure, from doors to windows and cabinetry.
Is home inspection worth it?
Yes, it is worth it. This is because it helps you save money for other, more important things. It also prepares you in your mind on whether or not the investment you want to make is the right one for you. The expense of inspection is justified.
What causes significant concern at a home inspection?
Drainage issues, plumbing problems, degraded bathrooms, and foundation and structural issues are the problems that most commonly create concern with a home inspection.
It can be pretty discouraging if you find that your dream house has any of these faults, but it does not have to stop you from going ahead with the purchase. A repair addendum can be issued to the seller, although there's no assurance that they will fix the issues.
Although, you can decide to bear the brunt of making the repairs if it is within your financial capabilities. Whichever you choose, the importance of getting a building inspection cannot be overemphasised. Be sure to work with professional home inspectors to get reliable results.
Need An Expert Building Inspector For a Purchase?
When it comes time for you to go through with that purchase, you must be sure that the money you put into the sale is well worth the investment. This is why it is essential to contact professional building inspectors who can handle the job for you.
These inspectors can check for uncommon and common issues that could lie dormant in your future home, pointing them out before you spend all your money on the purchase. So, reach out to an expert building inspector near you for all your home inspection needs.
