To some condo-buyers, a condo inspection seems somewhat redundant, as the building is mostly owned collectively and the only part to inspect, they think, is the paint and the furniture. However, as millions of leaky condo owners found out the hard way, a condo inspection is simply a diligent and prudent outlay of funds before you get into real financial trouble with a broken and un-sellable condo.
While a condo-inspector will not always look at the whole building, he will evaluate all the conditions that will directly affect living conditions within the unit. His main objective is to protect the buyer from any foreseeable problems your average-Joe might not catch. Also, to hire a private inspector is to protect you from the original city inspections which, as far as the wary condo-buyer is concerned, is no guarantee at all.
A condo inspection covers many of the same bases as a regular home inspection. All the electrical work is checked for functionality, including wiring, outlets, switches, and appliance hook-ups. The heating systems of a condo are very different from that of a detached home, so there are special aspects of the design that the inspector will look for. In particular, the safety of a condo heating system is not always assured and the inspector will inform you if there are any hazards that could arise from the placement of furniture.
The inspector will pay particular attention to the fixtures in the unit. In addition to the heating and electrical system, the hot water heater is of particular concern given its central function in the home. Any appliance that uses combustible fuel including gas stoves, gas dryers and gas fireplaces must be paid close attention, as even a gas appliance that may appear to be functioning can erode and leak to devastating consequences.
Other than safety issues, Toronto Condo Inspector will also check the simple aspects of the unit. That the doors and windows should open and close properly seems obvious, but often, a buyer will not be as thorough as he ought to, and a door that sticks or a window that doesn't open will be found weeks after possession has been taken. Also, the sealing in around wet appliances warrants careful scrutiny. A good clean or a new paint job can often hide serious problems that will cost the owner money down the road. With the real estate market being so unstable and so many new condominiums, the quality of the materials and workmanship seems to be on a decline, and often, issues like the ones mentioned are unfortunately becoming a common occurrence. It's a condo inspector's job to prevent these sorts of issues from becoming surprises.
An inspector will also look at the exterior spaces of the condo, including the roof, if it's on the top floor, the patio deck area, and the stairs if there are any. Also, many condo units have an exterior electrical and plumbing supply that needs to be checked. Please visit http://goldenhomeinspections.ca/ for more information about our full service condo inspection.
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