A home inspection (bedek bayit) is carried out by an engineer who specializes in identifying construction defects in apartments and buildings. Do not confuse this with a real-estate appraiser, who assesses the value of a property, although part of the service can include an appraisal too.
The engineer assesses the home's structure, identifies construction defects, and evaluates the property, and it is well worth bringing one in before buying an apartment or house, before renovating, or to estimate damage to a property.
Buying an apartment, new or resale, is a major investment, and an untrained eye will struggle to spot the defects and flaws that can cause damage and financial loss down the line. A professional inspection by engineers, appraisers, and other specialists in the field is what confirms you made the right purchase.
A new apartment from a contractor may have construction defects you are not even aware of, and the contractor is legally obligated to fix them. It is always worth having the apartment professionally inspected after handover, so you can be confident it is built to standard and that you received everything the contractor promised.
A home inspection company will identify every defect and, if needed, help you demand proper repairs. Buying a resale apartment? Do not rush to sign the contract before running a comprehensive inspection.
An inspection of a resale apartment confirms whether the purchase is really worthwhile. Beyond the engineering inspection and construction defects, a certified real-estate appraiser checks the asking price against the fair price, and the property's records get checked too: who it is registered under, whether building rights exist, whether there are liens you did not know about, whether there are building violations, and more.
All the services
As mentioned, a building inspection is an important check that often saves distress and expense. Defects that go unidentified can cause more serious damage and considerable cost later, and some acute defects significantly reduce the value of the property, so it pays to know about them in advance. What does an apartment inspection actually cover?
- Comprehensive, professional engineering inspections of the entire home: walls, windows, flooring, and the like.
- Inspection of the plumbing system.
- Inspection of the electrical system.
- Inspection of waterproofing throughout the home: leaks, dampness, mold, cracks in walls, and the like.
- Inspection of the water heater (boiler) and solar collectors.
- Radiation testing.
- Assessment of the apartment by a licensed real-estate appraiser based on the inspection findings (if needed).
- Photographing defects and preparing a detailed report on the inspection and its findings.
- Expert testimony in court if needed.
- A professional inspection gives you peace of mind about the apartment's safety and whether the purchase is worthwhile. Good luck.
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