The property inspection checklist – 8 things you should not overlook
Property inspection as a term has not yet caught up in India but is a very common practice abroad.What does property inspection or home inspection entail?Suppose you have decided to buy an apartment and enlist the service of a home inspector. Then a professional will visit the premises of the property and check different aspects and give a verdict as to its actual value.In India we have what is known as property valuer’s and engineers who help us to arrive at the true value of the property.Let’s see what the 8 most important things are that a home inspection should include.
1. Check for leaks and water seepage
Though roof leaks are usually not a problem in apartments, water seepage causing damps on walls can be a serious issue. For example, let’s say that there is water seepage from the bathroom floor of the flat right above you. It is causing damp on one of the walls in a room which is located diagonally below it. These damps usually get worse over the years and spread on the entire wall making it ugly and damage the outer covering.
2. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning checks
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are something that we tend to give the least importance. However hi-end apartments now comes with pre installed HVAC systems and before you move in make sure to check its efficacy.And also make sure to know who will be handling all future services, is it an inclusive service provided by the builders, or will it need to be maintained at the owner’s expense.
3. Make thorough checks for cracks
Make sure you check for cracks on the walls or ceilings from the interior and if possible from the exterior as well. The cracks may not be very noticeable and may need you to take special effort to find them but it is worth your effort. Left undetected they may soon grow to be major problem areas.
4. Measure room sizes
Do not leave for your home inspection without your tape measure; measure the length, breadth and also the height. Apart from checking if your furniture will fit in snugly you will also know for what purpose you would like to use the space.
5. Be alert about damaged siding and windows
This is unlikely to be an issue if you are buying a new apartment, however if it is a resale do check it thoroughly.
6. Systems and Component checks
Apart from the HVAC systems some other components also need proper check up as they are integral to you living comfortably. Check for the proper functioning of water heaters, furnaces, chimney, fireplace, extinguishers and sprinklers. Also make sure to check the duct system.
7. Check the water pressure
Your daily life will depend on this so check the water pressure at each point (both bathroom & kitchen) and turn on all of them at once to see how it affects the pressure at each point.
8. Inspect the plumbing
The backbone of any house together with the electricity wiring is plumbing. So make a comprehensive check up of the plumbing system by identifying of pipe materials and checking for the condition of pipe materials used for potable, draining, waste and venting purposes.Home inspection can show the true picture of the property you plan to buy. You can say it sort of minimizes the risk of your investment by showing you all the shortcomings beforehand. So make sure you have your home inspected before you buy it.Do you have any other aspects in mind during property inspection, then do share it with us here.