Thinking about having a home inspection (bedek bayit) done? Here are some solid tips on what to look for in an engineer, so you get a genuinely professional job.
As with any profession, the best move is a personal recommendation. If you don't have one, ask the inspection company to put you in touch with someone who had an inspection done in your area.
It should go without saying that the inspection needs to be carried out by an engineer, but since no law actually requires this, you have to check for yourself. Look for at least 10 years of experience, most of it on residential buildings.
The engineer should show up with equipment that's suitable and non-destructive. Destructive testing has no place here: no seller will let anything in the house be damaged before a contract is signed. Suitable tools include a moisture detector, a window-thickness gauge, an electrical-cable detector and similar equipment.
Watch out for an inspection that treats every finding the same way. Some engineers don't distinguish between inspecting a new apartment from a contractor and inspecting a resale apartment before purchase.
In a new apartment, every defect belongs in the report, because the contractor is legally obligated to fix it under the Sale (Apartments) Law. In a resale apartment, though, the engineer needs to avoid burying the buyer in minor issues that any older apartment will naturally have, issues that could scare them out of the purchase. At the same time, the engineer has to stay sharp on what really matters and never miss a material defect.
A standard inspection is a visual, top-to-bottom examination backed by equipment. It covers waterproofing, dampness and condensation; safety; structural cracks in the frame; plaster; flooring and cladding; the exterior cladding system; the roof and its fixtures; carpentry; aluminum work; whitewashing and paint; metalwork; plumbing and more.
Dampness deserves particular attention in Israel: about 30% of apartments here suffer from it.
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