subject: Building Inspections And What To Look For [print this page] Qualified personnel that have been trained in the responsibilities of a building inspector are on the lookout for your personal interests. The area that you reside in will dictate some of the codes to be followed with new and present construction. New construction for areas with a high incidence of hurricanes and tornadoes now have standards of safety that have never before been required. These buildings have to be constructed to withstand the kind of damage caused by these occurrences. Only building inspections will assure they have been done correctly.
From the roof to the very foundation an inspection will take into play all parts of the property. Old or new, structural changes that could prove to be unsafe for habitation will be pointed out. Depending on the extent of the damage, occupancy could be deterred until the problems are repaired. Other things will not stop occupancy but the owner could be under a time restriction to get the work done.
The biggest investment to be made by most people is the ownership or the purchase of property. When one spends that amount of money, it is sheer foolishness not to look for the absence of structural problems. Foundations should be without cracks and signs of shifting. The risk of fire damage is apparent when electrical wiring is not installed up to code. The installation of plumbing that is at risk for leaks will cause even further structural damage if not located and repaired.
Anyone with experience in their field of expertise is the most appropriate hire for you to make and this holds true of the building inspector. Has he worked with a training company to get more hands on experience? Has he been practicing long enough to have excellent skills of building construction? Has he joined a professional association? Taking pride in a job well done is an inspector that will do the job well and you can be assured of his ability.
Included in the inspection of all buildings are a number of things. The first to be closely examined are plumbing, heating and electrical systems, and air conditioning where applicable. Walls, windows, ceilings, doors, attics, cellars, and foundations are all on the inspectors checklist. Cost can change from state to state but the size of the property will play a role in the cost. Things such as septic systems and wells can be done as well but these are an added cost. Never let the price deter you from having an inspection done because what they find could save you an incredible amount of money later on.
Some people feel they are adequately knowledgeable to do their own inspection but that assumption could prove to be a costly miscalculation. Even construction workers do not have the capabilities of a trained inspector. In their years of experience they often know where to look for problems based just on how a building is constructed. The building materials used are another clue to the trained eye. There are so many things indicating a problem that are so minute, no one would normally give them a second glance.
If this is to be a new purchase, plan on having your building inspected as soon as possible after purchase agreement papers are signed. Potential problems can often be negotiated with the seller and if a major problem is found, it could be reason enough to call off the purchase unless the seller willingly fixes the problem.
Go with your inspector on his appointed day. Ask questions and be sure to understand all that you are told. Rest assured that problems will be found but know also, that the large majority are minimal are easily repaired.
