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How to Get Through a Structural Home Inspection Before Closing
Despite Americans’ obsession over brand-new homes, our housing stock has a few theoretical gray hairs. As of 2017, the average owner-occupied house in America was 37 years old, compared to 31 years a decade before, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
One side effect aging home experience is a higher risk of structural problems. The same types of issues can also be the result of sloppy construction. Regardless of the cause, structural issues can lead to sagging roofs, angled floors, or cracks that leave your home vulnerable to pests and water damage. So, when you set out to sell a house, you can bet that your buyer will want to make sure it is structurally sound before they agree to purchase it.
While serious structural defects are rare, general inspectors frequently refer buyers and sellers to professionals who have the knowledge to conduct specialty inspections when red flags crop up. If there is a suspected issue with the home’s foundation, frame, or other weight-bearing areas, you may have to get a structural home inspection before closing.
It sounds scary, but you can stay Zen throughout the process with this basic run-through of how structural inspections work, a list of pro tips to prepare for one, and your options if you get bad news from the engineer.
Who performs a structural home inspection?
During the overall home inspection—which involves a visual assessment of your home’s basic systems including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roof—problems could pop up that a home inspector will not be able to confidently assess.
In these cases, the general inspector recommends the buyer call in a specialty inspector. A structural home inspection is one such area that requires this specialized expertise. If the general inspector finds non-functioning locks or sticking windows and doors. Without the right background and training, it would be hard for them to diagnose the problem as evidence of a larger structural issue, even though it might be. However, the general inspector could suggest that the buyer get another set of expert eyes on it—in this case, the opinion of a residential structural engineer.
We provide the services through our alliances in case a structural concern or evaluation is needed.
We provide residential & commercial inspections tailored to the needs of the customer, call us to schedule and get more information.
To schedule an inspection, call (954) 802-8524
