An inspection is not a test the house passes or fails. It is a survey of condition that tells you what you are taking on, what it will cost, and what is worth renegotiating.
What gets checked
- Structure — foundations, walls, visible cracking and any settlement.
- Roof — covering, flashing, drainage and evidence of past leaks.
- Plumbing — pressure, leaks, water storage and waste runs.
- Electrical — distribution board, earthing, socket condition and obvious overloading.
- Damp and ventilation, particularly in bathrooms and ground-floor rooms.
How long it takes
A standard three-bedroom property takes two to three hours. Attend if you can. A written report is useful, but standing in the room while an inspector explains what they are looking at is worth considerably more.
Reading the report sensibly
Every report contains findings. The question is which ones matter. Separate them into three groups: safety issues that must be resolved before you move in, significant costs worth renegotiating, and ordinary maintenance you would expect on any building of that age.
Bring quotes to the negotiation rather than opinions. A seller will argue with a complaint but rarely with a builder’s estimate.
Written by OG Winners Homes
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