A Guide to Tackling Significant Defects After a Home Inspection
Part III. Overseeing Repairs
When purchasing a home, one of the most critical steps is completing a home inspection. The inspection report can reveal significant defects or issues that require attention before finalizing the purchase. It can be overwhelming to receive a report with a laundry list of necessary repairs, but addressing these issues is essential to protecting your investment. In this three-part article, we’ll cover what to do when you receive a home inspection report with significant defects noted. Part 1 will discuss how to prioritize the issues and decide which repairs need immediate attention. Part 2 will focus on collecting multiple quotes from vendors and researching their reputation and experience. Finally, in Part 3, we’ll cover overseeing the repairs, including ensuring that all work is fully permitted and up to the current Building Code, and having your home inspector reinspect the property to ensure that the repairs were done correctly. By following these steps, you can protect your investment, ensure that your property is safe, and have peace of mind knowing that your home is in good condition.
If you’re in the process of buying a home, you will most likely have a home inspection as part of the process. A home inspection is a thorough examination of the property’s condition, including its structure, mechanical systems, and overall safety. The goal of a home inspection is to identify any significant defects or issues that could affect the value or safety of the property.
Overseeing Repairs:
When defects or issues are found in your home inspection report, it’s vital to address the issues. Assuming that the determination of the most critical defects is being addressed (in Part II of this series), we can move on to discussing how to address the repairs. The collection of multiple quotes from qualified vendors for each required repair is a critical next step.
When collecting quotes, it’s important to obtain at least three quotes for each major defect. This will help ensure that you are getting a fair price and that the scope of work required is equally presented. By collecting multiple quotes, you can also compare the costs and line-item services offered by each vendor and make an informed decision about who to hire.
Additionally, it’s important to only collect quotes from vendors in their core areas of expertise. For example, if you need a new roof, you would want to obtain quotes only from companies that specialize in roofing. This will help ensure that the vendor you choose has the necessary experience and qualifications to perform the required repair work to the highest standard.
When selecting a vendor, it’s also important to ensure that they are licensed and insured. In Florida, you can check if their business license is current at sunbiz.com. Additionally, all work must be fully permitted, when required, and up to the current Building Code. You should ask to see copies of the vendor’s licenses and insurance certificates, as well as any permits required for the work. It’s also a good idea to check with your local building department to ensure that the vendor’s permits and licenses are valid and up-to-date.
Finally, before choosing a vendor, it’s important to research their reputation and experience. You can easily do this by checking online reviews and ratings, asking for references, or speaking with other homeowners who have worked with them in the past. This will help ensure that the vendor you choose is reputable, experienced, and capable of providing quality work.
By taking the time to collect multiple quotes, only working with vendors in their core area of expertise, ensuring that all work is fully permitted and up to the current Building Code, and researching vendors thoroughly, you can ensure that the required repairs are performed to the highest standards. This will help protect your investment and give you peace of mind knowing that your property is safe and in good condition.
Conclusion
In summary, when you receive a home inspection report with significant defects noted, there are several important steps to take to protect your investment and ensure your property is safe. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can address any significant defects or issues in your home inspection report and ensure that your investment is protected for years to come.
