Failing to have a building inspection performed before purchasing a home carries significant risks. These risks are often underestimated by homebuyers. Especially if a home looks perfect, it can be very tempting to skip a building inspection. We'd like to share a sample situation with you to demonstrate how you can save thousands of euros by having a building inspection performed. Below, we describe an example we frequently encounter in practice.
As a homebuyer these days, you have to be quick to secure your dream home. You're rarely the only one making an offer. Overbidding is the norm, and the increased pressure makes it easy to waive important conditions. In this example, a couple manages to purchase their dream home. They haven't had a building inspection performed. The house looks fine, with only a few minor flaws, and they don't expect to encounter any major problems. Only after purchasing and transferring ownership do they have the property inspected.
The 1940s terraced house purchased by the couple is undergoing a thorough inspection. Many unpleasant surprises are discovered, particularly in the crawl space. The couple was unaware of these. During the viewing, the crawl space wasn't even examined. The crawl space smells of sewage. It turns out that this odor originates from an old stoneware pipe covered in lime. This original pipe is leaking and needs to be replaced with a PVC pipe. Further back in the crawl space, rising damp is present due to poor ventilation. Holes in the wooden floor, indicating woodworm, are also visible. The problems are mounting.
After a building inspection, a detailed report is prepared, including recommendations on what needs to be done to bring the house back into good condition. Based on the situation described above, the recommendation is to replace the leaking stoneware pipe. The wooden floor has been affected by woodworm and moisture, so it needs to be removed and replaced. In addition, some beams are affected and need to be treated for woodworm. Finally, ventilation grilles are recommended to prevent the moisture problem from spreading further throughout the house.
It goes without saying that significant costs will arise if the aforementioned repairs, replacements, and treatments need to be carried out. The couple is estimated to face costs of around €25,000. They had to borrow the maximum amount to purchase the home. As a result, they cannot afford these high costs and are immediately facing financial hardship. A building inspection will identify leaking pipes, damp problems, woodworm, and other defects. The report would have allowed the couple to accurately estimate the repair costs. Based on this, they could have negotiated the price more effectively or backed out of the purchase.
As the example above shows, costs can mount up if a building inspection isn't performed. Especially when you're borrowing the maximum amount to buy a home, these costs can cause significant financial hardship. This can be prevented by having us perform a building inspection . This way, you'll always have certainty and a report on which to base your next steps. You can schedule an appointment for the inspection online with us. Need more information or advice first? Feel free to contact us.
The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!
