If you’re thinking about buying a house, you should have a professional conduct a home inspection before you close the deal. In some cases, getting a structural inspection may also be a good idea.
What Does a Home Inspector Look For?
In a home inspection, an inspector assesses a house’s overall condition. A home inspector is looking for safety issues and things that don’t function as they should.
An inspector conducts visual checks of the roof, foundation, and major systems, such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC. A home inspector notes problems found in any of those areas, as well as issues with ventilation, insulation, drainage and water or insect damage.
A home inspection can provide valuable information, but the scope of a home inspector’s job is limited. A visual inspection may uncover some, but not all, issues. A home inspector may note signs of a problem or a potential problem with the foundation, roof, or other structural components but may not be able to provide information on how serious the issue is or recommend a solution.
What Does a Structural Inspector Do?
A structural inspector is an engineer who specializes in assessing a building’s structural integrity. A structural inspector can conduct a more focused and in-depth examination than a home inspector can. A structural inspector can look for problems such as a cracked foundation, bowing or bulging walls and roof damage.
Should You Get a Home Inspection and a Structural Inspection?
It’s always advisable to get a home inspection before you finalize a purchase. Many significant problems, such as electrical and plumbing issues and water damage, aren’t immediately apparent, but they can cause significant safety and health concerns. If you skip a home inspection, buy a house and find out later on that it has a major issue, you can be stuck with expensive repair bills and a major hassle that you could have avoided.
A structural inspection may or may not be necessary, depending on the age of the house and the home inspector’s findings. If the house is relatively new, a structural inspection may be unnecessary.
If you’re thinking about buying an older house, getting a structural inspection may be worth the money. Older homes tend to have more structural issues than newer ones. If there’s a major problem, it will be better to find out about it before you buy the home so that you can request repairs, renegotiate the price or walk away.
You should also get a structural inspection if the home inspector notes a structural issue that is cause for concern. A structural inspector can give you more detailed information so you can decide how to proceed.
