Moving to a new apartment marks a fresh start, and it is usually a happy, blessed event, whether it is a young couple taking a big step together or any other kind of move. But to make sure the move stays happy and does not turn into disappointment, it pays, even before you start arranging the home or packing, to have a home inspection (bedek bayit) done that will surface any construction defects and keep you from buying blind.
How the inspection actually works
A home inspection is a serious, thorough building inspection procedure carried out to fixed standards. Only an engineer who specializes in building inspection can spot construction defects of every kind, easily and quickly, both the obvious ones and those invisible to the eye.
It can cover anything: a crooked wall, sloppy aluminum work, sealing or leak problems, flawed plaster or paint, and more serious issues such as dampness that can damage the electrical system and endanger lives, or defects that fall short of the standard, like railings that are too low or dangerous piping.
Many of these defects are invisible to an untrained eye and may only surface long after the move, but a skilled engineer has no trouble finding them, which is why hiring a specialist for the job matters so much.
The detailed report the engineer submits afterward is a legal document in every sense, one buyers can use in negotiations with the seller or the contractor.
The inspection gives a potential buyer an accurate, current picture of the property's condition, letting them decide whether to go ahead with the deal or change its terms, and to estimate the renovations the property needs.
Finding defects this way can save you from serious repair costs later, which is exactly why the inspection matters so much before a move. It buys you peace of mind and full confidence in the decision.
Moving to a new apartment? Only if it has passed a home inspection
A home inspection is one of the most important checks you will ever have done.
It can surface hazards, whether safety-related or purely aesthetic, across a wide range of severity, giving buyers a clear-eyed read on the property based on its actual condition.
In other words, it tells you exactly what you are dealing with: the home of your dreams, in which case you can move on to arranging it and getting to know the neighborhood, or a money pit that will drain your energy, effort and savings.
In the most extreme case, the inspection becomes a bargaining chip between buyer and seller, leading to a discount, compensation, or even the deal falling through.
The engineers of Arad Bedek Bayit, led by building engineer Ron Arad, whom courts appoint as their own expert on construction defects. The company has been inspecting apartments and buildings since 2001. Engineer Ron Arad · More about the company