How to Prepare For a Building Inspection
How to Prepare For a Building Inspection
Building inspection can be an exhaustive and time-consuming task, but with careful preparation and the assistance of experts it can go more smoothly.
At a framing inspection, the inspector makes sure all studs and beams are correctly positioned, as well as inspecting walls for damage or moisture issues.
1. Check the condition of the roof
Building inspectors often must climb onto roofs to detect leaks and other problems, so it is wise to clear away debris such as leaves, branches and trash from gutters and drains so water can flow freely from rooftops. Additionally, it may also be beneficial to ensure drains have been opened so water can freely exit them.
An inspection should also assess whether plumbing systems and appliances are functioning as expected, including checking for leaking water and making sure kitchen appliances can be opened or closed freely. In addition, an effective inspection will verify whether dryer exhaust systems are vented correctly to avoid becoming fire hazards.
Finally, the building inspector will check the walls to assess whether or not they are structurally sound and in good condition. This includes inspecting for signs of staining or mold growth or cracks on them. Furthermore, decluttering will enable an inspector to access areas like attics and basements more easily.
2. Check the ceilings
Building inspectors conduct thorough inspections to evaluate various features, such as ground fault circuit interrupters (which help prevent fires) and properly functioning lighting and electrical outlets.
They will inspect for mold and rot, make sure windows and doors can easily open in an emergency, inspect plumbing systems for water pressure problems, test sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems, as well as look into fire alarms in order to assess risks in a building.
To prevent delays and administrative fees, it’s wise to request all inspections at once. This enables inspectors to keep an eye on your progress while making sure all required inspections (FI01 Project Complete) have been performed before a project closes out. Furthermore, making an effort to request them all at the same time can save both time and money as inspectors often have limited schedules; GoCanvas digital inspection app makes this task simpler!
3. Check the cabinets
Make sure that all cabinets and counters have been finished to your standards and securely attached to the walls as required for a building inspector’s signature of approval on your project. Look out for leaks such as water spots on ceilings or walls, vertical gaps between cabinets and walls which need covering (scribe molding or shoe molding can help), signs of leaks (water spots on ceilings/walls etc) as well as leaky pipes/pipes that require repair before your inspection date.
If you plan to use wood flooring in your home, be wary if any patches or sanding has been done over existing flooring as this could indicate moisture issues in the subfloor that could lead to wood-destroying insects.
De-clutter your property prior to an inspection so the inspector has easy access to basements and attics; otherwise they won’t be able to complete their assessment properly if items impeded their view of the house.
4. Make a checklist
Building inspection is an integral component of any construction project, yet can often prove daunting without an efficient plan in place. At FTQ360’s free inspection checklist template is designed to make this task simpler – creating an inspection plan takes just 15 minutes with our free template!
Make sure that the inspector can easily access areas and systems he or she needs to inspect, including decluttering the property and clearing away anything that might obstruct his path. Furthermore, ensure all systems are working as intended and turned on when scheduled for inspection.
A professional commercial real estate consultant should conduct a walk-through survey of their premises property inspection melbourne to identify and inspect various issues, such as sagging roof framing, rusty iron roofing or leaky ridges and valleys. They should also check for rotten floorboards, borer infestation and dirty equipment – especially mechanical rooms – which could indicate untreated maintenance issues that are risk factors for potential environmental and safety problems. It is wise to review your ComSOP before conducting such an inspection as well.
