A building inspection is the only way to know for sure whether a building is safe and in good working order. A building inspection is also called a pre-purchase inspection or an “as-is” inspection, which means that it’s done before you buy the property.

While the idea of getting a building inspection can be scary, it’s important because if there are any major issues with your new home that were not identified in the building inspection, they could have serious repercussions on your new life.

If you want to avoid these types of problems, you should hire a professional building inspection company.

Who needs a building inspection?

The first step in choosing a building inspection company is deciding who needs one and what kind of inspection you need. There are three common scenarios where people would benefit from a building inspection:

You’re buying a new home: In this case, it’s very likely that your real estate agent has already conducted a preliminary inspection of the property. They may have found some minor issues that weren’t disclosed to you prior to signing a contract. It’s best to get a full building inspection done by someone else. The reason for this is simple: If you don’t know about the hidden issues before closing, you risk having them discovered after you move in. That could potentially mean a lot of headaches down the road.

You’re selling your existing home: Perhaps you bought your house years ago and now it’s time to sell. Or maybe you sold it recently but you still own it. Either way, you probably aren’t looking forward to doing all the work yourself. Instead, you should consider hiring a professional building inspector to do the job for you. This will save you time and money, and the inspection report will provide you with peace of mind as well.

You plan to renovate your home: If you’ve decided to renovate your current home, chances are you’ll need a building inspection just to make sure everything fits together properly. You’ll need this type of inspection when you add plumbing, electrical wiring or other items that might not fit into your original plans. Again, this is another situation where it’s better to leave the heavy lifting up to someone else. And if you’re planning to remodel your kitchen or bathroom, it’s best to get a second opinion before making any decisions.

There are many important things which one has to consider in their first building inspections such as they have to choose a good inspection company for it. The other thing is the person who is undergoing the process of this inspection has to understand the basic scenarios of it that will help them a lot in their first ever inspection of their life.

What happens during a building inspection?

Once you’ve chosen to get a building inspection, the next question is, “When does it happen?” The answer depends on how much work you want to do with your new home. If you’re moving in right away, then you can schedule the inspection at your convenience. Otherwise, you may want to wait until after you close on the house.

Most building inspections take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to complete. During that time, the inspector will walk through each room of the building and point out anything that appears suspicious. Sometimes, they’ll conduct a visual check while pointing out any potential hazards. At times, they’ll even test doors and windows to see if they meet industry standards. Once they finish their inspection, they typically turn over a written report to you (and your lender) so that you can review it thoroughly.

Some inspectors will also give you a few pointers about things to watch out for when you move in. These suggestions include:

• Check the foundation—are the walls level? Are the windows plumbed and sealed? Is the roof structurally sound?
• Test the heating/cooling system—do the pipes leak? Is there a drafty window? Are the vents working properly?
• Test the HVAC system—does the furnace or air conditioning unit look like it was installed improperly? Does the ductwork appear damaged?
• Test the plumbing—does the water heater work properly? How many fixtures are left unfiltered? What about the toilets?
• Test the electrical system—do the outlets seem wired correctly? Have wires been cut or exposed?
• Test the appliances—are they properly grounded? Can you hear noises coming from the refrigerator or dishwasher?

In addition to testing the physical aspects of the building itself, most building inspectors will also test the mechanical systems inside the structure, such as the furnace, the heat pump(s), the water heater, etc. They’ll try to determine if the equipment is operating within its manufacturer’s specifications and if it seems like it could possibly fail in the future.

As you can see, a building inspection isn’t limited to looking for structural defects. Most inspectors will also go through the exterior of the home, checking for loose shingles, cracked gutters or siding, missing trim, rotted wood or broken windows. They’ll check the landscaping to make sure everything looks presentable and safe. Finally, they’ll inspect the interior of the home, including the cabinets, floors, ceilings, lighting, and more.

Should you use a local building inspector?

It doesn’t matter where your building inspection takes place; you can choose to use a local inspector or one located elsewhere. For example, if you live in a small town or rural area, you may not have access to a reputable building inspector. However, if you’re willing to drive a short distance to a qualified inspector, then it shouldn’t pose too big of a problem.

On the other hand, if you live in a larger city or metropolitan area, you may find it difficult to locate a reliable building inspector. You’ll probably have to do a bit of research on your own to find someone trustworthy. Fortunately, there are plenty of companies out there that specialize in conducting building inspections. Some offer online-based reports, while others require you to visit their offices. Whichever route you decide to take, you’ll want to make sure that the person conducting the inspection has at least five years of experience.

Finally, keep in mind that you can always use a third party service to handle the inspection. Many insurance companies offer services like Home Inspections Plus, which provides homeowners with a detailed report based on the results of a local building inspection. These reports cost between $60 and $100 depending on the size of your home.