While any home can have any issue under the right circumstances, there are a lot of common issues that you may see show up on your home inspection report. These issues are not always immediately serious, but definitely something to keep in mind for the future. Common issues that home inspectors see most often during their inspection include:

• Roofing Issues – Most homeowners don’t want to deal with roofing issues before selling a property, or otherwise don’t know how to spot issues. Unfortunately, roof repair can be a huge expense.
• Faulty Wiring – The older your home is, the bigger the chance that it has wiring issues purely due to updated standards. You will see wiring faults in homes that have had DIY home renovations as well. These can be dangerous and rewiring a home is an expense.
• Grading Problems – Grading, or the slight slope that drains water away from the foundation, degrades over time and most sellers simply don’t think to check it. If water pools by a foundation because of a lack of grading, it can cause expensive foundation issues.
• Foundation Damage – In addition to grading issues, foundation problems are common finds because no one wants to pay to fix them.
• Attic Issues – Some think attics are supposed to be hot and musty, but they are not. If an attic lacks proper ventilation or has other issues, it can be a real mold trap up there.

A common theme to the above is that if an area is either very expensive to fix or very hard to get to, it is more likely to have problems. Furthermore, these problems are often deal breakers for new buyers because they can be an expense to fix. However, while some issues may scare you off buying a property, do realize that some negotiation can be done to see the issue fixed or the price for the home reduced.

There are a lot of unknowns that are associated with purchasing a property. While a property may appear flawless from the outside, its internal features may need to be inspected to ensure the structure is in good condition.

 

If you’re buying a home, you may want to double check that it is structurally sound, free of pests and devoid of termite damage. When dealing with a commercial property, you may want to ensure that the building is compliant with fire regulations, plumbing and electrical features.

 

A building inspection allows both residential and commercial property owners to ensure their structure meets established standards and regulations.

Residential/Home inspections

For most people, purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments that they will make. It is therefore important for you to protect your investment by making sure it is in good condition when you purchase it. A residential building inspection ensures that any necessary repairs and construction issues are identified before you purchase the home.

 

A building inspection can enable you to catch underlying issues with the property that are not visible to the naked eye. Most reputable inspectors will carry out a detailed top to bottom inspection and identify any issues that require your attention. They will often generate a detailed inspection report that both you and the seller can review and act upon.

What is involved in a residential building inspection?

When you call in a building inspector to take a look at your property, they will inspect the following:

• Checking the structure of the home for termite infestations. A building inspection can also check for signs of pest infestations such as wood ants, cockroaches, rodents, etc.
• Inspecting the roofing material to make sure it is structurally sound
• Inspecting the heating and cooling system of the home to make sure the HVAC is functional
• Checking the plumbing and electrical systems of the property

Commercial Inspections

Purchasing a commercial property is a significant investment. That is why a building inspection is important in ensuring the building is not only structurally sound, but it adheres to fire safety and other regulations. Indeed, a commercial property is typically subjected to more stringent requirements for ensuring public safety.

As a result, the building will always have to adhere to plumbing and wastewater regulations, electrical safety requirements, and fire code regulations. A commercial building inspection is important in ensuring the structure you intend to purchase meets these requirements. In addition, on-going inspections will ensure that you remain compliant with the relevant code at all times.

 

After you get your home inspection report back, it is time to start negotiating. You know that you can’t ask for everything because you may push the sellers too far. However, there are some things that you just can’t skip.

Here are some repairs that need to be fixed. 

Major issues. Any major plumbing problems need to be addressed, or you could be looking at thousands of dollars in water damage. The roof also needs to be in good condition, or you may find water and mold in the home. Structural problems are also essential. The foundation of the home is very important.  

Faulty or outdated wiring. Electricity is another part of the home inspection that you can’t skip over. You can’t buy a home that you are worried about your own safety, either due to a fire or being shocked. 

Systems that keep the house running. Your hot water heater and heating and cooling systems need to be working properly. 

Mold. Not only is the word scary, but mold can be dangerous to your health. You can’t buy a home that has mold in it because that is simply not safe. That being said, mold is there for a reason and that needs to be fixed too. You may be looking at damage to the roof or pipes, along with poor air circulation. 

Drainage problems. Any time that water lays in a yard, it needs to be taken care of. Otherwise, you may be dealing with the consequences in the future. Rain water, without a way out, can just lay against your home and cause all kinds of water damage. 

Though you may want your new home, no matter what, there are some things that should be non-negotiable. You need to have a safe place to live, so it is important to make sure that the plumbing and electrical work is up to code. You also need to make sure that your home is structurally sound, and the water has a way to get out of your yard!