A property inspection involves a comprehensive (non-invasive) visual examination of a residential or commercial property’s condition by a qualified professional inspector. Following the property examination, the inspector provides a detailed report describing the assessment outcomes. The report content includes recommendations for further action where probable root cause and repair options for defects or referrals to specialists for further evaluation is shared. The main intention for the property inspection is to empower and enable the client to make an informed decision using the property assessment outcomes.
What it is not: A property ‘condition’ inspection is not an evaluation to determine the property’s market value or a municipal inspection that verifies compliance with (local) regulatory standards. It is not a certificate of occupancy to confirm if the property is livable. It is not a bank inspection to determine if it is worth the money being loaned to the buyer or an insurance inspection to determine the properties liability risk. With that said, a qualified property ‘condition’ assessment inspector would be sufficiently skilled to carry out most if not all the above types of inspections. Some inspectors do include these inspection types (where approved) as additional service offerings.
*Important: The Property Inspector does not inspect to pass or fail a property but rather to assess its physical condition and to communicate areas of concern.
A typical (comprehensive) property inspection for a 3-bedroom house averages a couple of hours. Delivery of the report (listing the assessment outcomes) to the client is often within a day or two.
ASSESSMENT AREAS
The assessment outcome for a full inspection should ensure that the client knows everything to do with the property; hence starts at the main gate extending to the grounds and external and internal areas of all property structures. The assessment process involves identifying all defects, hazardous and safety issues. Inspectors often include Cosmetic problems in line with the client knowing everything to do with the property, but without making these the main things.
TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS
The most common assessment type is a pre-purchase inspection that relates to the sale of the property. However, assessments can consist of regular maintenance inspections, pre-sale, snag, and de-snag inspections (following a renovation or a new build), building progress and building dispute inspections.
INSPECTOR
We recommend using trained inspectors who are certified to perform property inspections. A professional inspector will ensure that every aspect of the property is assessed and not skim over the property. The report provisioned should be informative and not just an assessment summary of all inspected areas. A good inspector will engage the client (following report review) to answer any questions, advise the client further on the type of repairers required for the various defects, and provide estimates on repair costs if needed.
REPORT
Following the inspection, the client receives a detailed report outlining the assessment outcomes. The information must specify essential issues that need priority attention for remedial action or necessary improvements, followed by non-critical area-specific problems.
A professional report, where possible, ought to include the defect, probable root cause and optional repair options or referrals to a specialist for further evaluation if necessary. The information should consist of photos that showcase vital issues. The report must be sufficiently detailed and clear to enable the client to make an informed decision.
WHJInspections 