If you're considering buying a house with a large extension, it's always wise to have a building inspection carried out. An extension can have many defects that you might not notice at first glance. Unfortunately, these defects can lead to high costs that you hadn't anticipated. Homekeur is happy to provide you with insight into important considerations when buying a house with an extension. Naturally, these are also points we inspect during a building inspection.
It's not uncommon for an extension to start to subside relative to the house. It's sometimes thought that subsidence only occurs with older extensions. This isn't necessarily the case. Even a relatively new extension can start to subside relative to the house for various reasons. This always causes problems. Therefore, it's important to carefully check for subsidence relative to the house.
Of course, it's important to inspect the roof of the extension. What type of roof is it? What is the quality? Has everything been installed correctly, and what is the expected lifespan? These are matters you'll want to know. If we inspect the roof of the extension during a structural inspection, you'll find all the information about its condition in the building inspection report we provide.
The extension's finish must be in good order. Minor defects can easily and quickly develop into larger problems, especially if the circumstances are right. Optimal finishing is essential to ensure the extension's long-term quality. Homekeur, of course, inspects the extension's finish on all important points.
Sagging structures are a major problem. If the structure isn't professionally constructed, sagging can occur relatively quickly. This problem can be resolved by modifying the structure, but this should be done promptly. If the problem is already too severe, replacement is often the only solution, and this entails much higher costs. Therefore, always pay close attention to any potential sagging.
The hardware of the house itself is usually approved, meaning it meets current requirements. However, this doesn't always apply to the hardware of the extension. Homeowners can skimp on these items, which is obviously unwise, but it does happen quite often in practice. For your own safety, it's therefore wise to always check the hardware thoroughly.
If the foundation is not sound, it's only a matter of time before problems arise. Foundation problems aren't always immediately apparent. For this reason, it's also recommended to have a building inspection carried out, including an inspection of the foundation. This will give you certainty about the foundation's condition.
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!
