A home inspection is a non-invasive examination done by experts to identify any structural defects in a building. The experts conclude the inspection with a detailed report, which buyers can use to decide whether they should go ahead with the purchase or simply walk away.
How to do a home inspection?
“Can I do my own home inspection?” Home inspection is a job that’s best left to professionals, but before you order an inspection, there are a few things you can and should look into by yourself because the property might be in too bad condition to waste your inspection money on.
So here’s how you can go about it.
Start with a casual stroll around the property
You can tell a lot about the condition of a property by walking around the driveway and the land surrounding it. Also, if there’s a freestanding unit on the property, such as a garage, you must take a good look inside it too.
Try to visit the property immediately after it has rained. It’s a smart way to inspect the drainage system. You will know the drainage system isn’t working efficiently if you notice puddles on the driveway, in the yard or garden.
If there are any trees on or around the property, they shouldn’t have branches hanging over the roof. It can damage the house in more than one way.
Look for exterior cracks. Is the plaster falling off the walls? Are there any roof shingles missing or damaged? Is there a blockage or leakage in the gutters? Take note of these things and discuss with the seller. Listen to what they have to say; mostly, they give you genuine reasons, but in all its possibility, they might try to hide a serious problem. So, be cautious.
A walkthrough of the interior
If the property looks fine on the outside, it’s worth going inside to explore further.
Take note of the condition of the walls and floors. If possible, try to look under the carpet and furniture for the signs of damage or mold infestation. You will want to head to the kitchen and take note of any damage to the cabinetry, floor, appliances etc.
When it comes to interior inspection, overlooking bathrooms would be a big mistake. A running toilet, dripping shower and bad odour are some of the signs of a poorly maintained bathroom. Enquire about the water heating system: when was it installed? And if there’s any repair or routine maintenance due.
If everything looks fine, and there are no red flags, you can be doubly sure by ordering a professional inspection service.
