Examining the Structure

By Roland Thomas

Whether you are building or buying an existing house, you should get a qualified home inspector to examine the property!!
1- What are the qualifications of the inspector you are considering?
Is he or she a structrual engineer?, a licensed plumber? Are they certified in heating and air conditioning? What is their background?
2--What items will they check ( Have them show you a report they will prepare for you.)

Some of the issues many inspectors may not address include:

3-Will they address the problem of the wood sidings that were bought in the last few years which are currently de-composing?
4-Are they familiar with the different preservitives that were used in lumber in the last 40 years and which ones could be environmentally hazardous?
WOODEN DECKS SOAKED IN ARSNIC in the 70's ARE NOW RELEASING THAT ARSNIC BACK OUT AND IF YOU TOUCH THE WOOD, THEN TOUCH YOU MOUTH
YOU MAY BE INGESTING ARSNIC!--Is your inspector sensitive to such issues?

**Go to the lead article for this issue to read more about arsnic and look for future articles in
"The Roland Report" that will discuss more environmental hazard in the home.****


5-Are they going to take off the switch plates and determine if the wiring is securely fastened to the switches?
5-If the house was built in the 60's and then ceiling fans were added later, is th inspector going to inspect to determine if bracing was added to secure the fan to the ceiling?
6-If the house was upgraded or "added on" who did the work? A license contractor or a week end warrior?
7-Is ther flashing between the house and chemny and between the house and decks?
8-What is the thickness of the decking used on the roofing?--Does it bounce or sink when you walk on it?

There are dozens of other issues a qualified, licensed inspector will know to address that are strictly limited to the structure.

Make sure they are bonded and insured in case they break something during the inspection.

Your real estate agent's responsibilities are in other areas, not in building and structure.
You need to be responsibile for getting a competent inspector and be satisifed with the reeport.
Spend time interviewing inspectors just as you would interview a baby sitter to care for your children.

If you are building make sure your contractor knows you will have an inspector is is comfortable with that.

Do not let your brother in law do the inspection!!

In addition to the integrity of the structure the building inspector will probably not address such issues as design.
Design issues are concerns that no one but the buyer can address.

Go to the index at the front of Avoiding House Hunting Horrors" to find the "Design" section.