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What is a residential or commercial
building Inspection?
A building inspection is a professional,
objective, visual examination of the condition of a residential or
commercial property. Property buyers now entering the marketplace view
inspections as a way to gain valuable information about the biggest
purchase of their lifetime. It helps them to determine whether there
are any major defects or system inadequacies at the time of purchase.
In most cases, building inspections are
performed after a sales contract, (conditional upon a satisfactory
building inspection) has been accepted by the seller. The inspection
can usually be arranged immediately to within a few days. The property
buyer is typically encouraged to attend the inspection, so that he/she
can see first hand the workings of the home. It also represents an
excellent opportunity for the prospective buyer to ask questions about
the home or to discuss potential changes.
Building inspections are not intended to
point out every small problem or defect in a home. Minor or cosmetic
flaws, for example, should be apparent without the aid of a
professional.
Building inspections should also
highlight the positive aspects of the property. In fact, many of the
building consultant's observations or recommendations help to dispel
home purchaser anxieties, and provide useful repair suggestions.
The building consultant's service to the
purchaser is primarily one of education. The goal of the building
consultant is to provide the purchaser with a better understanding of
the physical condition of the property in order that they can make a
well-informed decision. It is also the consultant's role to keep his
findings in perspective for the buyer. After the inspection is completed,
a written report should be prepared for the client, documenting the
results of the inspection, along with an estimation of repair time
frames and costs.
The building inspection should not be
confused with an appraisal, a municipal code inspection, an environmental
audit, or a home owner's warranty. What is the difference between a
building consultant, a building inspector, and a home inspector? A
building consultant is a professional who performs private pre-purchase
inspections of both commercial and residential properties. A building
inspector is a government employee who inspects for codes (e.g. fire
codes, electrical codes, etc.) especially on new construction or on
major renovations. A home inspector inspects residential properties
exclusively.
A complete building inspection should
cover all of the major systems of the property, including structure,
exterior, roofing, electrical, heating, cooling, insulation, plumbing
and interior. As a minimum, an inspection should meet the Standards of
Practice of The American Society of Home Inspectors® (ASHI®) . Our report is typically over 20 pages long and
includes a Report Summary (itemizing major deficiencies), Estimated
Repair Costs, Color Photos Of Deficiencies, and Illustrations.
View Sample Pages
of Inspection Report
Consumers should be very careful when
shopping for a building consultant or home inspector. The industry on
the whole is unregulated and many unqualified people offer home
inspection services. Home inspection companies that offer to do repair
work, or recommend repair companies, should be avoided.
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