House Inspection Services – Its types and when to avail

Whether you are a house buyer or a real estate agent, it is important to get the house inspected before investing. Buying a house can cost a fortune, and it is essential to get it surveyed. Your money is hard-earned and should be invested in the best possible option with little chance of any post-sale expense. Avail home inspection services before making a big decision, such as buying a property.  

What is a house survey

House survey provides detailed information about the household systems, their structure, and interiors. This is done mostly in the case of selling property or providing credibility to mortgage companies. This inspection gives a detailed evaluation of the property’s condition. The ideal time to get a house survey is when the owner of the property accepts your offer right before proceeding with the purchase. These work as a safeguard against any costly renovation of the bought property. House inspection services are an important precautious tool against hefty reconditioning that the new owner has to spend a great amount on.  

Types of Home Inspection Services

There are 5 major house survey types, categorized into 3 different levels.

Condition Report – Level 1

This is the most basic information about the building. It focuses mainly on the legal front looking for possible conflicts in the future. The report is made using a color representation of traffic lights. Green approves its good condition, orange points out the changes required, and red denotes the urgent need for repair. It takes around 3 days to complete this report.

Home Buyer Report (survey only) –  Level 2

This includes a detailed report of the survey. In addition to the Condition survey, they check for structural damage and issues that might degrade the property’s market value, such as dampness. It also includes advice for dealing with those issues. However, the Home Buyer survey is non-intrusive and only accesses visible surfaces of the house. 

Home Buyer Report (survey and valuation) – Level 2

Along with the survey, it evaluates the property to let customers know if the price they have offered is accurate. They can negotiate further with the seller if the surveyor estimates less cost. 

Home Condition Survey – Level 2

They are the same as Home Buyer Report but present their report in a much easy to understand way. The survey’s cost depends on the property’s size and value.

Building Survey – Level 3

This is the most comprehensive survey available and includes an analysis of the building’s structural integrity and condition. It includes through checking of house’s condition by looking behind walls, below floorboards, and behind furniture.

When to get your house surveyed

There are mostly three times when house surveys are required. 

Pre-listing inspection

As the name suggests, this inspection is done before listing your house for sale. This lets you know if the house has any potential problem or repair that the buyer might request.  

Pre-offer inspection

This is done before you state your offer to the seller. It might save you the trouble of negotiating if the report needs to be more satisfactory.

Purchase inspection

A professional tells you the minor and major issues in the house before you buy it. This helps in negotiation, and the seller might have to resolve them before selling you the house. 

Where to get the house surveyed

Steller House Inspections is one of the leading surveying firms in British Columbia, providing home inspection services in Victoria, Langford, Sidney, and other 8 major cities. They offer 3 types of comprehensive surveys; House Exterior and Property, Important House Systems, and House Interiors. They specialize in uncovering potentially expensive problems that might have gone unnoticed by the present owner. Get high-quality home and building inspection services at affordable prices in BC.