The best time to consult a building inspector is right after you’ve made an offer on a property. The real estate contract usually allows for a grace period to inspect the building. Ask your real estate agent to include this inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report.

No. A professional building inspection is simply an examination of the current condition of your prospective real estate purchase. An inspector will not pass or fail a building but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items are in need of minor or major repairs or replacement

If the building inspector finds problems in a building, it does not necessarily mean you should not buy it, only that you’ll know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to make repairs or adjust the selling price because of significant problems discovered by the building inspector. If your budget is tight, or if you do not wish to become involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the property for you. The choice is yours.

Even the most experienced house owner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional building inspector who has inspected hundreds, and perhaps thousands of buildings in their career. An inspector is equally familiar with the critical elements of construction and with the proper installation and maintenance of these elements. Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the home they really want, and this may lead to a poor assessment.

Definitely! Now you can complete your purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property and its structural integrity. You may have learned a few things about your property from the building report, and will want to keep that information for future reference. Above all, you can rest assured that you are making a well-informed purchase decision.