Building inspection is the act of assessing and ascertaining the state, safety and value of residential and commercial buildings. This may be done when doing routine checks, during construction, when the building is about to be leased or when requested by the concerned authorities. And the best way to go about this process is by involving certified professionals. Below are some of the checklist for building inspections:
1. To Ascertain the Actual Value of a Property
Before buying or selling any property, it is crucial to ascertain its value, something that can only be done through building inspection. A building inspection report aids all parties concerned in trading fairly for it provides the necessary information required for tagging the right price to the property on sale. This way, a seller will be able to ascertain the real price to place on their property and buyer to offer the right price for the property hence avoiding overpricing and underpricing respectively.
2. As a Bargaining Tool
Besides just knowing the actual pricing, the information that is gathered during the inspection could be used as a bargaining tool. With the information that is derived from building inspection, both the buyer and the seller can leverage on their bargain. For instance, a seller may ask for a higher price than they could have opted for when they realize their property is in a good condition while the buyer may use it to negotiate for a lower price if they realize the property will require additional costs for repair.
3. It Acts as the Maintenance and Repair Guide
Building inspection also enables the owner of the property or a potential buyer to be better informed of what needs to be repaired on the property. This allows the property owner to plan well and more precisely for budgetary allocations necessary for the repair or maintenance of the building. If you are the buyer, you will also know whether you can handle the repair and maintenance costs that come with the property.
4. As a Safety Measure
Carrying out routine building inspection allows necessary safety measures to be undertaken for the benefit of users, for example, tenants and visitors. For instance, through inspection, it is possible to know whether there are any safety hazards on the property such as mould, mildew, asbestos or even pests that could be harmful to the occupants. The information gathered from such an inspection will enable you to take the right measures to alleviate the risks.
5. Authority Requirement
It is also a legal requirement for property owners to have their buildings inspected regularly. Failing to do this could attract penalties and fees that are charged on defaulters. The best part is that some authorities do offer incentives to property owners who routinely undertake building inspection on their properties as required by law. These incentives may include marketing services, tax incentives among others.
Considering the cost-benefit analysis of building inspection it is important to note that benefits far outweigh the cost implications. Above all building inspection provides peace of mind for both the owner, users and potential buyers for all will be aware of the real state of the property including its safety, hazards and value. Above it all, it is always important to hire the right building inspector to ensure quality work is done.
