Technical Inspection for a Technical Inspector

What is a technical inspection?

A technical inspection, also known as a structural inspection or building inspection, is a visual check of an existing house. From the attic to the crawl space and from inside to outside. Thanks to this inspection, you get an insight into the structural condition of the house and an estimate of the costs to repair any defects and bring the house into good condition.

Reasons for a technical inspection

By having a technical inspection carried out, you get more certainty about the condition of the house. This way, you avoid overloading maintenance when you are excited about a house, paying too much for the house or even making a purchase you might regret later. Furthermore, the reason for an inspection may differ when you want to buy, sell or renovate a property.

Technical Inspection before purchase

Planning to buy a house? A Building Survey can be done at three points in time:

Technical Inspection before sale

Planning to sell your house? A technical inspection will show interested buyers the condition of your house. To make your house even more attractive, you can repair defects beforehand.

Technical Inspection for maintenance

Do you want to know what maintenance needs to be done to your house? Or what is coming up in the future for which you need to put money aside? Then a building inspection can help you gain insight into (future) maintenance. That way, you know exactly what kind of maintenance is coming up.

Is a building inspection compulsory?

You are not obliged to carry out a structural inspection to buy a house. However, some mortgage lenders do make carrying out a structural inspection a condition for obtaining a mortgage. Unless the appraiser suspects a condition (serious) defects in the house, a structural inspection is not required according to the house and house assessment guidelines.

When do you have a technical inspection carried out?

You can have a technical inspection carried out at two moments: before or after you make an offer. In a tight housing market, you often can't have an inspection before making an offer. Otherwise, the house will be sold to another candidate.

If you have a technical inspection before you make an offer, you can use the inspection to negotiate about the price. You can also be part of the resolutive conditions, for instance by including it in the purchase contract that the house must be free of serious roof leaks before a certain date.