6 Things You Must Do After A Building Inspection

 

As a commercial building owner or prospective buyer, you already know the essence of building inspections. 

In fact, you might have already gotten an inspection done. And if you’ve, well that's a smart move. 

After all, a professional inspector can spot potential issues or defects that you'd likely miss while visually assessing the property.
But now that you have got the inspection done, you might well be wondering what you should do next. 

So, whether it a complete commercial inspection or a standalone balcony inspection service, here are 6 key things you should definitely do after the inspection is over:

1. Go through the inspection report 

Commonsensical as this might seem, you’ll be surprised to know that many property owners and buyers simply take the inspector's word instead of actually reading the inspection report themselves. This is something you should never do and rather take some time out to acquaint yourself with the report’s findings.

You see, reading the report cover-to-cover will allow you to understand all the details and specifics. And this is much better than just getting a broad idea from the inspector’s brief. 

It goes without saying that the inspector will highlight every defect they’ve noticed. But reading the report yourself will ensure you don't remain in the dark on anything.

2. Focus on fixing the defects on priority  

Not that you’ve got a clear picture of every problem that the inspector has flagged, your next step should be to prioritize fixing these problems. 

You can start off by figuring out which ones need urgent attention and which are more minor. And this categorization can be done based on which issues are deal-breakers and absolutely must be fixed. 

Categorize repairs starting with emergency-level defects followed by ones that don’t constitute an emergency and the ones that are relatively minor. For instance, if your day spa’s ceiling is falling apart that’s a clear emergency compared to replacing steamers for the best electric sauna heater. 

3. Decide whether you want to renegotiate or seek repairs 

This one is for prospective buyers who have just got a pre-purchase inspection report. 

You’re armed with a list of defects and the estimated repair costs. And you’ve now got a choice: Either request the seller to undertake essential repairs or renegotiate the asking price to account for the maintenance costs you'll incur.  

There are pros and cons to each approach, and one can’t agree more. So, you should factor in what suits you more. 

Also, if the seller agrees to undertake repairs, you should schedule a re-inspection before finalizing a purchase deal.

4. Negotiate like a seasoned real estate buyer 

If you’re a first time buyer, try and learn some of the negotiation best practices and negotiate like a pro. 

You see, it is possible that the seller could push back on undertaking repairs or lowering the price. In this case, you’ve got to be creative with negotiations. 

For instance, you can propose covering the repair costs yourself if the owner offers something else in return like upgrading the HVACs. 

The idea here is to find a compromise rather than walking away from a property that is apt for your requirements. 

5. Don't miss on the small things

While reviewing the inspection report our focus is always on the big issues. So, it's possible to miss out on the small details. 

And although you might think that not every defect listed in the report is a cause for concern, it might become one down the road. 

For instance a tiny crack in the drywall of a building might become a massive problem after a decade or so. 

6. Question your inspector

It may happen that at some point the report doesn’t make much sense any you need clarity on some points. 

In such cases, don't hesitate to reach out directly to the inspector who did the condition assessment. 

To sum up 

Building inspections aren’t meant to be a roadblock to your maintenance or purchase plans. They’re rather an important tool to help you make an informed decision. 

So, take the time out to fully understand the findings. Also, take the next steps like negotiating repairs or purchase deals after due consideration.