Home inspectors consider and assess many aspects of a home, in order to give a professional and accurate report on the home for sale. The report includes what needs fixed internally and externally in the structure. One of the more important factors, (although they are all important) is the foundation of the building.
Today is a great opportunity to clear things up and provide an explanation on foundation inspections.
It is essential, as well as, required by law that any building structure must have a solid and sound foundation, as listed in the official regulations. The reason for this is it must support the weight of whatever is built on top of it. If the foundation is not built correctly, then whatever structure built on top of it will likely fall to the ground, or start to crack, due to an unstable and unsafe foundation.
In all cases, it’s very important to have a professional, qualified home inspector evaluate the house or investment property. Yes, you might be “in the know” of construction and spotting repairs, but it’s smart to have a trained professional lend expertise on what he/she finds wrong in the house.
A home inspector review includes the following:
Ensuring the floor is smooth and level. If they are not level, this could indicate and/or point to possible foundation issues under the flooring
Walls will be checked for structural cracks.
The surrounding area above doorways is checked for cracks and crevices.
All windows, surrounding areas, electric wiring, HVAC system, and more (read a full list of inspection items, here)
It’s important to recognize that serious foundation issues are often caused due to the soil settlement. This does potentially have the capacity to pull apart your home and leave it all askew and unsafe.
If the Home inspector has determined the foundation unstable, then the next step is to contact a qualified, professional contractor to assess the damage and decide if the foundation can be fixed without knocking down the structure.
It’s the responsibility of the home inspection to point out structural and system faults in a home, so whether you’re buying, or selling, it is very important to seek out the services of a professional home inspection company.
It far too easy to be seduced by the look and appearance when buying your new home, it can have a great look and feel about the place, meaning you can forget about the shabby brick work or the unnatural gurgling coming from the boiler system, in the excitement of purchasing.
Recent research, which has been carried out by the RICS, has revealed some shocking truths many homebuyers don’t know about. A large number of first time homebuyers are unknowingly setting themselves up for thousands of dollars in repair bills. These bills and repairs on their new home might have been avoided, brought to light, if an experienced home inspector viewed pre-purchase.
The buyers due to a general lack of understanding regarding the actual home buying process miss these issues. Many buyers are putting themselves and family at risk because they are not or don’t understand the importance of getting independent expert advice from a qualified home inspection company.
Only a qualified and experienced surveyor can give you an accurate evaluation of the current state of the home and an accurate evaluation of how it will be 5-10 years down the line.
Make sure your new home is not a ticking time bomb
It would be fair to say that young first time buyers would be more at risk when looking to step onto the property ladder; it is a massive investment for anyone involved. It is wise to ensure that you are not putting out all your life savings on a property that could cost you even more in repairs that will leave you close to bankruptcy.
Understanding that serious defects and problems are hard to find and need an experienced trained eye to unearth them is what should push the homebuyer towards getting an evaluation of the property they are looking to purchase. You don’t want to be stuck in a home you can’t live in and a home that is unsellable.
Some home buyers find the perfect home after days, some after a few months, and a few after years of searching. It is not always about rushing in and signing on the dotted line. Yes, things may seem alright and look great in appearance, but buyers can get into trouble if they go on appearance alone. Trying to save money by not hiring a home inspection team can cost you thousands of dollars and make your dream home quickly become a nightmare.
Reasons Why You Should Hire a Home Inspector
You could have great experience in home improvement and repairs, but sometimes you need an expert’s opinion and evaluation of what needs to be done, and how much you are looking at cost wise for major repairs. Hiring a home inspection company can ensure the more complex hidden issues of a home, highlighting and bringing it to your attention. Electrical issues, plumbing issues the foundation need closely looked at, as well as, the roofing condition. All need correctly assessed by a certified inspector before purchase.
As mentioned above, the home may look like it is in fantastic condition from the outside, but chances that there could be major issues lurking under the surface, not visible to the untrained eye are high, and that’s a chance you can’t afford to ignore. The sensible choice that will help guard your safety is to hire a home inspection team.
Checks for Mold and potential moisture patches need looked at, along with radon testing. Getting an accurate account of what problems there are and any possible pitfalls will help prioritize funds and allow you to budget for any repairs needing sorted now or in the future.
When is the right time for a Home Inspection?
After you have made an offer on the purchase contract, it is a good move, to schedule a home inspection. Do this before the inspection period has ended. Even if you have signed the offer, the benefits from a home inspector mean issues, which could prove too costly are highlighted at time of purchase.
When selecting a home inspection company, it’s important to select the correct company. Choose one who can perform an in-depth inspection with an accurate account of what needs done. Inspections can range anywhere from $300 -$700 or more, and can take anything from 3-6 hours depending on the age or size of the home in question.
It’s important to be confident in who you hire, ask for client testimonials and ensure that you attend the property inspection along with the inspector. This will allow you to have any questions answered and give you first-hand knowledge of the true state of the house.
At Central Florida Building Inspectors, we know that a home purchase is one of the largest investments we will ever make. Before purchasing a property you should learn as much as you can about it, including what may need to be repaired. Your home inspection will be completed by a qualified home inspector, with attention to detail, who will provide an easy to read report, with digital photos of major concerns.
Who should have a Home Inspection? We’ll take a look at why it would be a great idea for buyers, sellers and even current home owners.
Buyers are always encouraged to be present for the inspection to learn and to familiarize themselves with the home. A home inspection will inspect all of the items that apply from the list below. The inspector will not only inspect easily accessible items such as the plumbing fixtures, electrical wall switches, and mechanical components, but will also inspect the difficult to access areas, including the attic, if possible. The buyer will receive a thorough report documenting any safety concerns, which will allow the buyer to make a more informed decision about purchasing the property.
A pre-listing home inspection can give the sellers an overview of the current condition of the house, especially if the owners are aware that routine maintenance has not been performed. The seller will receive a detailed report noting any safety concerns, items that do not function as normal, and serious issues. This information gives the sellers the opportunity to repair current and/or potential problems before listing the property.
Current home owners that are aware that minimal maintenance has been carried out on their home, may wish to have a home inspection performed to point out what repairs are necessary and to locate minor repairs before they become major problems. The owner will receive a detailed report documenting any concerns and defects that can be used as a check list for repairs.
At CFBI, we would welcome the opportunity to help give you more peace of mind in this area.
