For example, if a house has been remodeled: rewired, new roof, new flooring, new plumbing, new siding, basically gutted and built anew, all of this requires, by law, a building inspection. Couldn't I just use this instead of using a home inspector? If not, what is the difference? Everything is just gorgeous and works. Surely, someone can't sell a remodel without a building inspection.
2007-05-30 15:50:20 · 7 answers · asked by swcc 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
People sell unpermitted remodels all the time.
Building inspectors are not always thorough and actually have declaimers in the permits which say that although inspected and passed, the city/county makes no guarantee of property workmanship.
Pay the inspection fee and call it money well spent. Cost is usually $300-400. If they find nothing, great - if they find something, then at least you are buying with your eyes wide open.
Beautiful things can break over time. Get yourself a home warranty too....
Think about how many lawsuits against developers of new construction are filed every year. Those buildings were inspected before the permits were signed off too...
2007-05-30 15:56:06 · answer #1 · answered by KConsults 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in most cases, a building inspector is a code enforcer... this is different than a home inspector who usually checks for solidness of the roof, the roof decking... the water drainage on the property as well as the workings of the electrical wiring.
They serve 2 different functions
in AL the law requires a home inspection when going to mortage a house... it is the city that dictates the building inspector
Just because the work is brand new... doesn't mean that work is "sound" even if it passed inspection
2007-05-30 15:56:13 · answer #2 · answered by Bama 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can surely rely on a municipal building inspection, if that is your desire. However, do bear in mind that these inspectors ONLY check to insure that remodeling/construction was performed according to code. An,y other defects, current or past, are no concern of the local building inspector.
2007-05-30 15:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by acermill 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In many jurisdictions there are no inspections required for a remodel if there is no addition. Other times builders/remodelers can get around this inspections by not applying for permits and hoping they don't get caught. A good home inspection is never money wasted.
2007-05-30 15:57:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
there is a saying in construction that hold very true....
drywall covers up a multitude of sins..
and....
city inspectors are failed contractors.....
with that in mind a inspector only checks for adherance to code.. not for cosmetics or proper construction.. ( and that's a topic unto itself ).. so things can slip by.. not oly that considering a inspector has many scheduled inspection in a day and there is no walk he can fine toothe and comb a remodel, so things can and do get by him
2007-05-30 16:04:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The building inspection is only for code. It is not anywhere close to the inspection of a home inspection, which is more detailed and focused on usability, not building codes.
2007-05-30 15:56:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the buyer of the home needs to be assured that the purchase that they are about to make is one that is in their best interest.
the inspector from the city/county is paid by taxes, the home inspector is paid by the buyer, so they may find things that are not in the realm of the city/county's scope of expertise.
code is code, but a proper analysis of code and potential
problems should be left to a professional who stakes their living on it.
2007-05-30 16:03:00 · answer #7 · answered by barrbou214 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋