Why Is A House Inspection Important?

By Peter Harvard | January 21, 2010 | Popularity: unranked (?)

The excitement of buying a property can often lead to cutting corners and bypassing important steps in the buying process. A home is probably the biggest purchase you will make in your lifetime, and it is important to make sure you get the best deal possible. You should know exactly what to expect — both indoors and out — in terms of needed and future repairs and maintenance.

Obtaining a professional property inspection before purchasing a house is a vital step which is all too often overlooked by prospective buyers. A building inspection will reveal any damage or problems with the property before you buy, saving you a lot of money and stress in the long run. The main reason to get an inspection is to identify problems and potential problems in a prospective house, so that you can buy your home with confidence.

A house inspector will determine the condition of the building and produce a detailed report on the soundness of the building. Some of the elements which are included inspection are structural elements like the roof, foundation, walls, and garage. Systems such as heating, air-conditioning, insulation, plumbing and electrical systems will also be looked at to ensure they are in good working order. The exterior condition of the house will also be examined. Potential concerns such as fire hazards, electrical safety, mould, moisture damage, asbestos, leaks, cracked masonry, termites, and other pests may also be covered in an inspection.

Another major facet of a home inspection is to check the weather tightness of the house; leaky house syndrome is a major problem in New Zealand homes. The New Zealand Standard for Timber Treatment allowed the use of untreated timber in wall framing; this type of timber is vulnerable to the dampness caused by leaky homes. This can result in extensive damage to the fabric and structure of the house. The mould which grows in damp condition can prove hazardous to the health for you and your family. Mould feeds on organic materials such as carpet, wood, wallpaper and eats into plaster and brickwork, and structures with extensive mould damage have even had to be demolished.

It clearly pays to get an inspection to look for signs of a leaky home; early detection can save home buyers a lot of trouble in the future

All of these issues can result in costly repairs in the future. The trouble these faults bring can be avoided simply by employing a building inspector to investigate the house before you buy.

Peter Harvard has been involved in roof and house inspection for over 12 years. For more information regarding roofing go to http://buildingsinspection.co.nz/

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