Home inspection basic facts

In the simplest terms, a home inspection (bedek bayit) is a series of engineering checks designed to give a clear, accurate, in-depth picture of a property, whether it's an apartment, a house or a building.

It's commonly assumed that only resale properties need one, but in fact it's worth ordering an inspection before any real estate purchase. You wouldn't buy shoes without trying them on, and the same logic applies here, especially for a property where you plan to spend your life and raise a family.

Why does a home inspection matter so much?

Whether you're buying your first apartment new or an old house through a broker, a home inspection gets you off to a strong start. That's especially true if you're new to real estate: not only do you lack the tools to spot construction defects, waterproofing problems, leaks or condensation, you probably don't even know where to look beyond what's obvious, such as flooring, cladding or cracked walls.

A home inspection gives you an objective, up-to-date picture of what you're actually facing, and the tools to limit the damage as much as possible.

Beyond catching defects early, the process ends with a full, legally valid report listing every defect found. Once issued, the report goes to the contractor, who is responsible for fixing anything still within his warranty period (every construction defect has a specific window during which the contractor can be required to fix it, after which the obligation shifts to the buyer).

If the contractor does not cooperate, a report prepared by a licensed engineer gives you a strong legal position if the dispute ends up in court.

What does a home inspection examine?

• The physical condition of the structure: the engineer closely examines the flooring, roof, structural frame, doors, windows and ceilings, along with every other visible component, and also checks for defects that are harder to spot, such as problems in the electrical and plumbing systems, dampness, or hidden mold.
• Conformity with the technical specification: the engineer reviews the sale plans and checks how the building measures up against the Planning and Building Regulations, Home Front Command regulations, various Israeli standards, and sanitation-fixture requirements, among others.
• Damage assessment: covering damage from construction additions and renovation work, as well as damage caused by tenants or neighbors.
• Acoustic and thermal hazards: this part of the inspection measures noise levels and other environmental factors that could affect quality of life on-site.