Buying a house is a massive deal. You’ve probably spent months looking at photos and finally found a place that looks perfect. Before you get too excited, you have to deal with the building inspection first. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you might end up buying a money pit. Here are eight things most homeowners get wrong about the process.

Thinking the Inspector is on Your Side

The inspector’s job is to find problems. Don’t be annoyed if they give you a long list of issues. You are paying them to be picky, so let them be the bad guy now so you don’t have to pay for it later.

Assuming a Clean Report Means the House is Perfect

If an inspector tells you there is nothing wrong, they probably didn’t look hard enough.  Even brand-new homes usually have small issues like poorly installed insulation or faulty window seals. You want to see at least a few notes on that report so you know they actually checked the tight spots like the attic and the crawlspace.

Believing They Can See Through the Walls

If something is hidden deep behind a wall, an inspector might miss it. If you’re worried about something specific like old wiring, you might need to bring in a specialist.

Skipping the Walkthrough

You should walk around with the inspector while they work so you can see the issues firsthand. For example, getting an on-site analysis from Melbourne building inspector Nick Stojanovski allows you to ask simple questions like how serious a crack looks or how much life is left in the water heater.

Expecting They Check if Everything is Legal

Building inspectors check if things are safe, but they don’t always check if the work was done with a permit. A previous owner might have built a beautiful deck that isn’t actually legal. The inspection might say the deck is sturdy, but the city could still tell you to tear it down later.

Waiting for Them to Tell You How Much Repairs Cost

Inspectors find the problems, but they aren’t contractors. They usually won’t give you a price for a new roof or a foundation fix because they don’t want to be responsible if that price changes. If the report shows a big issue, like a cracked heat exchanger in the furnace, call a repair person immediately to get a real quote for your negotiations.

Trusting a Fresh Coat of Paint

New paint and trendy tiles can hide a lot of mess. Sometimes people do cheap renovations just to cover up serious water damage or structural cracks. Look closely at things like the baseboards and window frames. If the paint is thicker in some spots than others, it might be covering up a rot problem.

Picking the Cheapest Person for the Job

Cheap inspectors often move too fast and miss the details, like termite damage in the floor joists. Pay for the person with the best reputation, even if they cost a little more, because their eyes are what protect your bank account.

Endnote

An inspection is your chance to see the house for what it really is before you’re stuck with the bill. Take it seriously, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to walk away if the problems are too big to handle.