Buying a new house is an enormous investment which is why it’s crucial to recognize any warning signs prior to you commit to a purchase and that’s where our checklist for house inspections can help.
Designed to help you identify the issues that a house may be hiding in addition to showing how to recognize the positive aspects of a home that other viewers may have missed, our house inspection checklist will provide you with all the pointers you need to ensure that when you put in an offer on your desired home, you’ll feel confident about the decision you make.
If you do go onto buy the property, we’d strongly recommend that you obtain a building survey before making a major investment. This is especially relevant when you’re planning to purchase the property for renovation or a period property.
1. What is the general condition on the House?
The first thing to do is. Before you step into the premises, stand back and scan the property for any potential problems.
While we’ll discuss more in depth on this, there are some easy checks you can perform initially when viewing the property in person:
Are there any significant visible cracks within the brickwork or render?
Does the roof look in good condition?
Are the windows level and the glass is in place?
Do you see any indications of damp? For example, tide marks or peeling paint on your walls?
Is the chimney straight?
Are the rainwater supplies in good working order? Are they damaged or not functioning?
A building inspection will assist you in determining whether cracks or other issues are something to be concerned about, should you come to buy the property. Keep in mind that the survey for a building differs from the mortgage valuation survey, and is intended to present an overall overview of the property’s condition.
2. Is it in a Good location?
This is actually a check you can conduct prior to your look at the property. It is likely that you recognize the general area a house is situated before even looking at it but do take some time to look at the local schools, services, transport routes, and other such.
Additionally, take a look at nearby properties in case you are considering an extension or any changes that may require planning permission, it can be helpful to check out the changes that have been made to houses nearby in order to get some idea of what local planners are willing to allow.
“It’s important to check the price of properties sold in the vicinity. If you’re planning to take on major renovation work and/or an extension, would the price of the project and the price that you pay for your property surpass the ceiling value for the street or the area?” starts Claire Lloyd, Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating.
“If this will be your “forever home” and you’re planning to stay there forever, this might not matter to you. But, if you intend to sell your home within the next few years, you’ll need to be sure that this purchase will help you get on the ladder to property ownership and not put you in negative equity.”
3. What is the Planning History Like?
Which brings us nicely on to the past of planning. A quick look at the section on planning on your local council’s website will provide every planning application made to the property, and the results.
This is helpful when the house, in its current state, is too small for you and you’d require an extension in order to satisfy your requirements, however many applications for extensions have so far been denied This might not be the perfect property for you.
4. Are There Scope to extend?
Planning permission aside, is the houses for sale Burnley actually adequate to be extended? Does it have enough room around the property to allow for an extension or has it already been extended to the limit?
If there is room for the garden to expand into, would this leave you with an entire house and no garden?
It’s helpful to show the design of your home to the architect or designer- they are likely to have the skills to think out of the box and come up with ideas you might not think of.
If you’re considering building an extension, it’s worthwhile to carry out drainage survey before you buy the property this will let you know the drainage locations which could have implications on the way and location you can extend.
“A drainage inspection will aid in determining whether there are any current issues that need to be addressed (such as damaged drainage pipes or ones that aren’t properly connected),” says Homebuilding and Renovating’s Editor Claire Lloyd.
“Some problems are fairly cheap to fix, whereas others can cost thousands of dollarsthat should be included in the cost you pay for your property.”
5. Is there off-road parking?
Although not everyone is convinced of the need to park off-road however it can be beneficial, especially in the case of children or pets.
Take a look at the parking location for visitors when they come to stay. If you’re thinking of having work done you should also think about where to put a skip or any big deliveries.
Even if there is no off-road parking currently could it be possible to make a new driveway? And ask the local council to include an unfinished kerb?
6. What Condition does the Roof in?
This is an extremely important test since repairing an roof can be expensive for businesses.
Externally, evidence of roof damage include broken tiles, missing or slippy tiles as well as damaged and missing flashings. It is also important to look for missing or crumbling pointed edges on the verges and the insufficient amount of beneathfelt.
Internally, when assessing a house for renovation, you should look for signs of leaks because this could also indicate a roof structure that has in some way been compromised.
The extent of the damage as well as the long it has been in the same condition will determine the amount is required to put things right. While replacing just a few roof tiles shouldn’t cost much (a couple hundred pounds will pay for it), extensive damage could cause the entire roof to will need to be taken off and replaced — a job that can cost into the PS1,000s.
If the roof collapsed into the lower rooms, it is also necessary to account for the costs of the installation of new ceilings.
7. Is the Brickwork in Good In Good
Continue with the exterior checks Be on the lookout out for evidence of damage to the brickwork.
The mortar that is crumbling or missing from the joints will need repointing. While you’re there examine the chimneyDoes it appear stable or is it at an angle?
“Is it the chimney’s chimney? Or is the the flaunching (the mortar upon which the chimney pot is placed) damaged? If so, this might be causing a problem with damp. Both are usually straightforward to fix, based on how easy the chimney is, but must be considered as jobs to consider when planning your renovation,” says Homebuilding & Renovating’s Editor Claire Lloyd.
If the home has been rendered, check for cracks -minor cracks are generally repairable, however larger cracks that are more serious could be a sign of structural displacement.
8. How was the House Built?
Examining the method of construction used to construct the house is beneficial for several reasons.
First of all, if your home was built using solid walls and traditional materials , such as lime render, then you will require the most breathable materials for any repairs to prevent condensation or damp issues.
Solid walls are also harder to insulate than cavity walls (more prevalent in homes built following WWII).
It is vital to determine the type of foundations the house has also. Many old houses were built with hardly any foundations. This could create issues when it comes to extending the property or adding additional storeys.
In addition, it may be difficult to secure a loan on a house that was constructed using “non-standard” construction. This can be noted on the estate agent’s details; inviting cash offers only.
9. Are Windows and Doors Need Replacing?
Examine doors, windows as well as other exterior joinery components such as fascia boards, to see if there are signs of rot or damage.
The smaller areas of wood that are rotten can be repaired and window repair is the better option than replacement. However, if windows appear to be in need of repair, it does pay to replace them in a similar manner to ensure the character of the home isn’t destroyed.
If the original windows and doors were at one point been taken away and replaced by unattractive ones it is possible to think about the expense to reinstating modern replicas of the originals.
10. Are there signs of Damp?
Once inside the house Look for indications of damp. Some indicators of damp are:
A ‘fusty’ damp smell
Damp patches and mould on the walls
White salt deposits are found on the brickwork
Crumbling plaster on ceilings and walls
Peeling wallpaper and paint
Dry or wet the rot
It is crucial to realize that most old houses do generally be damp and these issues tend to be resolved.
11. Is There An Structural Movement?
This is a huge issue. Though structural instability and subsidence can be a problem it is important to understand the issues you’re likely to be facing before purchasing an investment property.
If you are looking at a home take note of the following:
Cracks in doors and windows
Cracks that run through several bricks (as opposed to stress fractures in plaster or just a few bricks)
Lintels that collapse
Doors and windows that are securing themselves to their frames
Floors that are not even or damaged
If you suspect subsidence it is imperative to have an expert to examine the propertyThey’ll be able to provide you with advice on the seriousness of the problem and whether costly solutions or underpinning is likely to be needed.
12. Should a Rewire be required?
The cost of wiring a house is around P3,000 for a 3- bedroom terraced home, so it is crucial to verify whether this task is in the works for the house you are considering.
A decrepit fuse box, old-fashioned light switchesand fabric-coated electrical flex and the round-pin plugs all giveaways.
13. Is a new heating system going to be Needed?
If the property in question has a central heating system (some older properties in need of renovation don’t) Do check whether or not it will require updating or replacement.
A lack of radiators and the presence of electric heaters or storage heaters is an obvious sign that there isn’t any central heating. Even if you have a heating system, check the age of the boiler — you may well need a new one.
Inefficient, old radiators could need to be replaced, which is why it’s a good idea to budget for replacement the radiator.
14. What’s the Loft like?
It is important to look over the loft. Even if you’re not planning for a loft conversion, checking what state it’s currently in is vital.
To ask questions, you can include the following: Does it have ample storage? Is it well-insulated? Is it safe to access?
If the house doesn’t include a loft space, how many storage spaces are available elsewhere on the property? Perhaps there’s a purpose-built outbuilding or garage? Don’t underestimate the quantity of storage space you could require.
15. Are There Large Trees in the vicinity?
Although trees can be lovely in the garden, take a minute to check whether the presence of large trees can cause issues in the near future. Could they block the light source or even block out light? Trees that are large in very close proximity could also have a structural impact on the structure of the house.
Additionally, if you’re considering an extension to the property that may mean that trees nearby need to be removed, ensure that there aren’t any tree protection orders (TPOs) in place that would hinder your ability to complete the task.
16. Are they livable?
Finally, although it is easy to become all over the place about houses that require modernisation Ask yourself if it’s feasible to stay on the property when work is being done.
If the cold winter weather arrives and you are shivering in a single room without heat or water, or surrounded by construction sites, you might regret the decision to set up camp.
If your house isn’t livable, you’ll have to consider the best place to stay during work is underway and consider costs for this.