When buying a piece of property to proudly call their new home, many people fall into the trap of clever real estate marketing campaigns, which usually costs them thousands in additional expenses once the estate passes into their hands. Homebuyers with a tad more experience, on the other hand, know that minor oversights during preliminary property tours can result in major update costs later on, which is why they always base the final property purchase decision on objective building inspection reports. But what exactly do building inspectors do, and how can the unbiased assessment save you cash down the road?

ABC of Building Inspection

A building inspector holds qualifications and licenses that entitle them to review and report on the state of residential and commercial property for a set commission. In the audit, the building inspector will go over the building plans and the property itself to make sure it is compliant with relevant standards and regulations. During the inspection, the inspector will strive to identify defects or faults that may compromise residents’ safety and report thereon. A building inspector also has the authority to issue building permits prior to the beginning of construction, oversee the works to ensure observance of regulations on design, materials, and construction methods, propose solutions to potential issues, and certify the building plan compliance with relevant local standards upon completion of construction.

The Role of a Building Inspector

In order to ensure observance of valid building regulations and standards, the building inspector will undertake one or more of the following tasks.

• Interpretation of building plans, regulations, standards and codes of practice;
• Inspection of materials, structure, and workmanship for compliance with regulations;
• Coordination of action plans during construction process;
• Preparation of time scale estimates and costs prior to and during the building process;
• Data collection with the help of surveying tools and photogrammetric equipment;
• Provision of assistance to building managers, architects, and surveyors in construction planning and organization.

Down-To-Earth Report Details

If the list above sounds too complex for you, here are some practical examples of the defects a building inspector can uncover during the audit.

• Structural faults, such as roof, flooring, or foundation defects which can compromise safety and well-being of residents and therefore need to be repaired before moving in;
• Electrical system issues, such as wiring faults, smoke alarm defects, and low quality of installation workmanship;
• Plumbing and sewer defects, such as drain, waste, and vent damage, as well as pipe, fitting, and water heater installation or operation faults;
• Air-conditioning and heating system faults, such as blocked filters, valve defects, and poor installation quality;
• Health hazards, such as presence of pests, mold and invisible toxins such as asbestos, water pollutants, and gas leaks, as well as balustrade, floor, ceiling, and wall defects, and other potential problems that can jeopardize residents’ health and safety;
• Mechanical defects caused by age and wear which will require post-purchase repairs, updates, and makeovers that can cause additional costs.

Speaking the Inspector’s Lingo

Most building inspectors seem to speak a language of their own, riddled with vague terms such as ‘serviceable condition’, ‘conducive to deterioration’, and ‘deviations from the site plan’. For this reason, understanding the building inspection report can be a tough task for an average homebuyer unacquainted with technical vocabulary. To avoid misunderstandings, you should ask the building inspector to provide both a written and an oral elaboration on the state of the property you’re set on buying, and you can also ask them to produce a broad assessment of home repair and upgrade costs that will have to be covered if you decide to purchase the piece of property. On top of the inspection report and cost estimates, a certified building inspector will also be able to refer you to reliable environmental consulting experts for additional tests and audits to establish compliance of the estate with relevant health regulations and standards.

An unbiased building inspection can be a lifesaver for first-time homebuyers, as it will expose and point to structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical problems below fine frills and shiny polish which you’d otherwise overlook. Based on the inspector’s report, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on property purchase and avoid common mistakes that can set you back more than you ever thought was possible. For a cool bonus, you can try to use the specifics from the report to bring down the price of your future nest in the negotiations before you sign your name on the dotted line.

Ready to buy a home of your own and settle down? Make sure you get the property inspected before you dash off to sign the purchase contract: it will save you cash, nerves, and hassle later on. You’re welcome.

This article was written by Zoe Clark. Zoe is an environmentalist, home decorator and DIY enthusiast. When not obsessing about designing perfect homes, she is spending time with her family.