A professional property inspection south africa will protect your investment by providing a transparent understanding of the property’s vital signs and condition as observed on the date of inspection. If possible, walk through the property with the inspector to clarify any aspects of the report which need further explanation.
Jean-Marc Masson is the owner of Home Inspection Services South Africa and a certified master inspector. He shares his insights on the state of home inspections in SA.
Pre-Purchase Inspections
Purchasing a property is an important investment and should be done with as much information as possible. This includes a professional home inspection by a qualified inspector. A home inspection identifies the current condition of the building and its systems. It also helps reduce homeowner risk by identifying defects and non-compliance with regulations.
The report will provide buyers with a comprehensive defect list and will help them negotiate a fair price for the property. It will also assist with future maintenance planning. A trained home inspector can identify illegal alterations and additions, structural damage, leaking roofs, geysers, electrical faults, and other safety hazards.
Graham explains that the South African home inspection industry is still buyer driven, as most estate agents and sellers have little knowledge of the technical aspects of a house. However, he hopes that once legislation or regulation kicks in and it becomes feasible to have an officially accredited course for home inspectors, banks will make bond lending subject to a home inspection report.
Pre-Sale Inspections
As a seller, having your property inspected prior to listing is an excellent way to build trust and confidence with potential buyers. In addition, it helps you price the home correctly and provides an objective view of your property to facilitate the sale process.
Many estate agents are hesitant to use home inspections because they fear that it will kill a deal. However, they should realise that having a professional report will help protect their clients from expensive surprise repairs in the future and ultimately save them money.
In countries like the US where home inspections have been around for decades, up to 80% of homes are inspected before being sold. This is because it is in the buyers’ best interest to be aware of the condition of their investment. This information allows them to renegotiate the price or avoid a transaction altogether if problems are discovered. Home and commercial inspections are one of the best investments you can make to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
Post-Sale Inspections
Whether you’re selling your home or building, a post-sale inspection is an essential part of the transfer process. It will help you determine the property’s overall condition and confirm that installations like electrical, plumbing, gas and beetle (wood borer) compliance are up to standard. It also provides a comprehensive defect list to assist with negotiations and ensures that you meet your legal obligations.
Value-added services include infrared thermography, drone inspections, asbestos and lead testing, mould inspections, pest and termite inspections and consultation and advice. These can be added to the standard pre-purchase and pre-sale inspections at an additional cost. Your real estate agent can recommend reputable home inspectors and provide you with a list of available services.
Commercial Inspections
Commercial property inspections are evaluations of the condition of a building that is used for business purposes. This may include office buildings, warehouses, factories, restaurants and any other commercial structure. A commercial property inspection is conducted by a professional inspector and may include a walk-through survey, making observations and conducting research. The result is a written report of the findings.
A home is one of the largest investments that a person or family will make in their lifetime. To ensure peace of mind, it is important to conduct a thorough property inspection before the purchase. This will help to reduce the risk of costly repairs or disputes during the transfer process. It will also enable the buyer to make an informed buying decision. Value-added services are available for clients to enhance the property inspection process, such as drone or infrared thermography services, mould testing and termite inspections, and consultancy and advice. These services are typically charged at an additional cost to the standard PCR fee.