Before you sign that home purchase contract, take the time to think about whether you know what you’re getting. Every home buyer needs to make certain that they have a qualified building inspector check out their new house. This means hiring a private inspector, not just relying on the inspectors from your local government to protect you.
There’s more than one kind of inspection report, and which one you’ll choose will depend on what you need out of your inspection. If you only want to know about structural items like the ceiling and roof, the walls, floors and footings, you should choose a structural report. This is best if you feel like you’re qualified to do the non-structural parts of the inspection, or if you’re planning a total renovation anyway.
If you don’t think you’re up to doing non-structural inspections on your own, you can choose a report that will handle the entire building. That way you’ll be entitled to a report on all the structural elements, plus plumbing and power, cabinets, doors and windows, termite damage, drainage systems and more. This is almost a complete audit of your new house, and will help you know about problems before they can affect you.
Some people believe that they don’t need to get a home inspection, but they couldn’t be more wrong. The relatively small fee you pay for a home inspection is well worth it to ensure that you aren’t buying a home that needs an entirely new roof, has a sagging foundation, or is full of termites!
Damage to your new home could cost you a lot to fix, and you need to know about it before you buy. Take the time to get a report done that complies with your local building code standards. It should be carried out by a registered builder or engineer, and take everything into account.
Even homes that look just fine could end up having a lot of problems, from plumbing and power problems to rising damp, cracked floors and walls, and roofs that sag. There are so many things that can go wrong with a home, and your building inspector will know about them. You need to choose someone who knows what to look for.
Of course, you should be certain that you know who you’re hiring for the job. Make sure that you’re working with an inspector that has a good reputation, is very thorough, and has the training required doing the job right. Then you’ll be sure that you’re buying the home you think you are.
If you’re lucky, your inspector won’t find anything wrong. Then, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is safe and ready to live in. However, if something is damaged, a home inspector can help you find out about it and steer clear of paying too much for a home that has problems.