An estimated six million homes were bought and sold in the United States during the last year for which information is available. Some reports show that as many as 50,000 businesses were also placed on the market. On top of that, home and business repairs and remodeling projects surpassed $400 billion during that same year. All those figures are expected to increase annually during the years to come.
While each of those ventures is unique in its own right, they all have one major element in common: they require inspections. Different types of inspections are available, but the two most common are home inspections and structural inspections. Which one you might need for your upcoming plans depends on a range of factors.
Understanding Which Inspection Specialist You Need
At AEI, we provide home, commercial, and structural inspection services. Our structural engineering experts have the capacity to combine our knowledge and experience to provide inspection solutions that are tailored to clients’ unique needs. Understanding which type of inspection you need and which professionals should be involved in the process can be complicated, but we’re here to help clear up the confusion.
What Is a Home Inspection?
Home inspections are in-depth examinations of homes and all the systems that come with them. These include the plumbing, electrical, foundation, heating and air conditioning, flooring, walls, ceilings, roof, insulation, and many others. They can also extend to landscaping and drainage issues among other aspects.
These types of inspections are designed to cover the interior and exterior of a home to ensure no problems exist with any of its components. They also determine whether all those systems and elements are safe, sound, and up to date. Should the inspection uncover a problem, further action will be needed.
Who Carries out a Home Inspection?
Home inspections should be carried out by certified home inspectors. To become certified as a home inspector, professionals must have thorough understandings of all the systems and components that go into a home. They must also acquire a state inspector’s license. Each state has its own specific educational and training requirements for home inspection certification.
Inspectors can also be certified through the American Society of Home Inspectors, or ASHI, and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, or NACHI. Being a member of those organizations typically means a home inspector has gone above and beyond the basics. Of course, having a strong background in engineering is also a plus.
When Would I Need a Home Inspection?
If you’re planning to sell a home, you’ll need a home inspection. In most cases, you can’t legally place a home on the market without first having a home inspection performed. Home inspections also give you an added advantage when it comes to setting a price for the home. Having a home inspection performed before purchasing a home is also a good idea.
Anytime you want to remodel or upgrade a home, you should also have a home inspection carried out. Doing so will help unearth any existing problems with the electrical, plumbing, and other components of the home. That’ll give you a chance to fix those issues during renovations and help prevent more extensive and costly problems down the road. In many areas, homeowners are required to have home inspections performed prior to remodeling just to be able to acquire the proper permits for their projects.
Home inspections are also necessary when you’re having a new home built. These inspections should take place during construction after the wiring, plumbing, and other systems have been installed. Another inspection should be conducted when construction is complete.
What Is a Structural Inspection?
Structural inspections take matters a few steps further. They usually focus on the primary structural components of a home or business. These include but aren’t necessarily limited to the roof, load-bearing walls, and foundation. Structural inspections also take into account outside elements that could affect the structural integrity of a building, such as wind, climate, and soil issues.
These inspections are meant to analyze issues with homes and businesses beyond what standard home inspections might cover. Structural inspectors determine the possible long-term impacts of those issues as well. These types of inspections also involve finding solutions to those problems, like strengthening load-bearing walls, repairing or replacing a foundation, or reinforcing a roofing system.
Who Conducts a Structural Inspection?
Structural inspections should be carried out by structural engineers. They’re the specialists who have the training and background to properly determine the extent of the problem, how all those previously mentioned elements could exacerbate it, and the best way to fix it. If a structural inspection is carried out by anyone other than a structural engineer, it isn’t legally or ethically valid.
When Would I Need a Structural Inspection?
If you’re planning to buy or sell a home, a home inspection is a good idea. Home inspections also give you an added advantage when it comes to setting a price for the home. Having a home inspection performed before purchasing a home is also a good idea.
Anytime you want to remodel or upgrade a home, you should also have a home inspection carried out. Doing so will help unearth any existing problems with the electrical, plumbing, and other components of the home. That’ll give you a chance to fix those issues during renovations and help prevent more extensive and costly problems down the road. In many areas, homeowners are required to have home inspections performed prior to remodeling just to be able to acquire the proper permits for their projects.
Home inspections should also be done when you’re having a new home built. These inspections ensure that all components including electrical wiring, plumbing, and other systems have been installed properly.
Getting the Right Inspection Expert for Your Upcoming Project
In short, contacting a certified home inspector is your first step in a construction or remodeling project. A home inspector is also the professional you’ll need to call in if you’re planning to sell a home. Having a home inspection performed before purchasing a home is recommended as well. Structural inspections are required for home or business additions and in cases where home inspectors find problems. If you need an inspection or are in doubt about which specialist you need, feel free to reach out to us for further assistance.
