Quote:
Originally Posted by SumAznGuy
Skip the home inspector if you are looking at a condo. All they will do is check to see if the electrical plugs work, fans work, and if the doors work.
They won't cut open the walls to check for issues that you see on Holmes on Homes.
The strata will not give them access to the roof or access outside to check the caulking around the windows.
As a potential buyer, ask your realtor to get access to the building's depreciation report. Since it is now the rainy season, any issues in the unit will be show up. Look for water around the base of the windows. See if the drywall is soft or moist and if there is any pooling water on the window ledge.
Not to mention, home inspectors are not insured so even if they claim the condo is fine and a few months down the road, something happens, the owner is still on the hook for all costs of repairs.
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There's 2 types of inspectors. Certified Home Inspector (CHI) and Certified Property Inspector (CPI). For the most part you're right on the fact the CHI can only inspect the unit however the CPI is able to inspect both the unit and the building (assuming they're doing their job). Secondly no inspector will open up walls and so forth, imagine you're the seller and you have some random stranger cutting up holes and damaging your property. How would you feel about that? I'd imagine you or any seller would be furious. Don't forget Holmes on Homes at the end of the day is still Hollywood glamour. Thirdly the checking of outlets they should be plugging in a Ground Fault Interrupter checker (I think that's what is called). It's to see if the proper current is flowing and if there was an overflow of electricity that the breaker would trip so ono one electrocutes themselves. Checking the doors..I have not idea what that's all about lol. As for looking for water around the frames you should be looking at the top of the window for any discoloration or rust spots. Last time I checked rain falls down not up. Lastly all inspectors do carry insurance. It's called Errors and Omissions. It's actually required prior to licencing. If you hired someone who didn't carry insurance you may have been duped. Finding a good inspector is equivalent to finding an honest mechanic. It's hard and you never know what you're getting. Best is to ask what they can inspect before hiring one and being at the property and watching them work.
For the record I'm not an inspector LOL.