By D. Plant
Every leaseholder and property owner in Israel should know what a home inspection (bedek bayit) is and be ready to order one when buying a new property. An early home inspection, combined with a building inspection during construction, prevents new construction defects, catches old ones, and protects both your investment and the future you plan to build in the property.
Just as you would not buy a car or an item of clothing without examining it closely, you should not buy an apartment without having it examined by an engineer, a real-estate appraiser, a lawyer and anyone else who can give you an objective, complete picture of the property, especially given the large sums involved and how hard it is to back out of a real-estate deal without financial loss.
Who can carry out a home inspection
The Israeli market has plenty of companies and individuals offering home inspection services at different scopes and prices. When choosing a service for your apartment, pay attention to three things: certification, experience and scope.
- Certification: a quality inspection can only be carried out by a certified, licensed engineer, ideally one who specializes in building inspection. The other professionals involved, such as real-estate appraisers and lawyers, also need certification from the relevant bodies. Certification means verified knowledge: to obtain it, these professionals had to present proof of their studies and pass an exam covering building regulations, relevant laws, reading blueprints and similar subjects. Choosing certified professionals gives you a solid starting point.
- Experience: hands-on experience in the field carries real weight. It teaches things books and lectures cannot, such as which construction defects are more or less common, how contractors hide them, and which points deserve extra attention during a building inspection. An experienced company or professional shortens the process and improves your odds of getting a report that realistically connects the property's actual condition to what it should be.
- Scope: a home inspection can be carried out at different levels and include different services. Some companies include legal advice from a lawyer who specializes in the field, or also examine the neighbors and surroundings; some do not. The most thorough option is usually the best choice, but check that you actually need everything on offer, rather than paying a high price for services beyond what the property requires.
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