This question likely crosses the minds of many people looking to buy a new home, so you should inspect the property you wish to purchase, so that problems and defects do not surface after the purchase. Now I will explain the types of building inspections that are important before buying any property.
First, the visual inspection. This type involves taking a general look at the home’s exterior structure, roofs, walls, floors, and both interior and exterior spaces.
Second, the functional inspection, which is more comprehensive than the visual inspection; through this inspection, you will examine the vital parts of the house, including: the electric meter, water tanks, thermal and water insulation, air conditioning, and drainage.
Third, the detailed inspection, which is a complete examination of both the visible and hidden parts of the house; during which you will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the building’s condition. This step in particular may require the services of a qualified and experienced engineer, especially if you lack sufficient knowledge about building inspections or if this is your first time purchasing a home.
The specialist engineer will provide you with a detailed report on the condition of the house, based on an investigation and inspection of the property. There is a simple preliminary checklist of potential issues, and we will outline several key points regarding them:
1- Checking for issues with the doors: Inspecting previous repairs and modifications, such as the fillings behind the hinges and the trim around the door tops.
2- Check for issues with concrete floors: One simple way to check the floor level is to place a small ball on the surface and observe its behavior. If it rolls, this indicates a problem with the stability of the concrete foundation.
3- Check for cracks in exterior surfaces: Inspect the exterior foundation and building surfaces for cracks and look for patched areas.
4- Check for defects in walls and ceilings: Inspect wall and ceiling surfaces for cracks or signs of patching. Any cracking should be assessed based on both its extent and cause.
5- Check the exterior surface of concrete foundations:
6- Check the drainage adjacent to the concrete foundations: Any surface water must be quickly drained away from the concrete foundations and must not pool or accumulate within a 2.5 to 3-meter radius.
Finally, my advice to you is to be meticulous in selecting a competent engineer; this is so that they can provide you with a detailed report on the condition of the house, allowing you to make a final decision regarding this property. and after verifying the condition of the house, you can use the final report to negotiate with the seller in order to lower the price the seller is asking for the property.
===
