Outside looking in: what external features are included in a home inspection report?
The name ‘home inspection report’ implies that much of the focus of our work is on the home itself – but that isn’t the case! When it comes to inspecting a home properly, there are plenty of things happening outside the house itself that a property inspector will pay attention to.
While it can feel like more is being built up than out at the moment, there are still plenty of homes on the market with at least a little land. Here, we’ve outlined some of the things outside the building that your property inspector will be looking at.
Decks
Even if decks met the Building Code requirements when they were built, many can still age quickly if they’re made with low quality materials. If the deck of a home you’re looking at isn’t up to par, replacement and maintenance costs can quickly add up – so you’ll want to know about it before you purchase! Besides the deck itself, a property inspector will also look out for whether the deck is correctly attached to the home, whether it meets the required distance to property boundaries, and whether the decking might impact the title for a cross-lease property (although you’ll need to check this against the documentation yourself).
Boundary fencing
Fences generally mark the outer limits of your property, but they’re still just as important to check – particularly if you’ve got pets you want to keep in and other things you want to keep out! You want to be sure boundary fencing is sturdy, tall enough, made with suitable materials to stand the weather and test of time.
If a fence does need to be repaired or remade, it will be something you’ll have to agree with your neighbour about and you’ll normally have to split the cost. So, it’s important to find out in your property inspection whether the fencing will need work anytime soon – as you will need to factor the cost into your purchase.
Pools
Pools are awesome to have in the summer months (or in the winter months too if you’re brave!) but they do require special care and extra compliance. While pools have to be checked every three years by a qualified pool inspector as part of a special purpose inspection, I still tend to give pool pumps a quick look during a property inspection and advise on what might be a problem when it comes to your next official inspection.
Pools require strict fencing and safety measures that are frequently updated, as well as internal design features that make swimming safe. If any features aren’t up to scratch, you could be dealing with a hefty fixer-upper when it comes time to your next inspection!
Gardens and paving
While backyard work probably isn’t going to be a dealbreaker with your property, there are many hidden costs that you might be unaware of without a home inspection report. Paving, for example, sounds simple. But over the years I’ve seen plenty of irregular and sloped paving that causes carnage with water drainage. I’ll always check for correct cess pit installations as well.
How a home inspection report makes a difference
We often say that a home inspection report helps you spot the problems in a property hidden beneath the surface – but an inspection is also helpful in spotting the things outside the home in plain sight! A home inspection report will provide you with a snapshot of your potential home, meaning you can make your commitment with all the information you need.
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