Question by HAPPY_DAYZZZ: i am buying a new house and i just got a visual inspection. Is is neccessary to get my house tested f? i am intrested in a potential home, i just paid for a building inspection report.(visual inspection)
should i get the house tested for lead, mold, asbestos. etc…
Best answer:
Answer by brensbren You should have said how old the house was. Houses built in the mid 70′s and later will not have lead paint and asbestos. Of course, any house can have mold. When there is mold, you will have to have the sheetrock removed, replaced, and repaint. It is usually in a concentrated area, not over the whole house.
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Depending on how old the house is, you might consider the following:
1. Ask when the last time the roof was replaced.
2. Ask when the last time windows were replaced.
3. Ask when the last time the carpets were replaced.
4. Have a termite inspector check the house, if you walk around, you can see if there is sign of termites.
5. Ask when the last time the Air Conditioning System was replaced.
Then visually check the entire house, looking for any water leaks, check out bathtubs, showers, toilets, sinks, ect.
After you do all of the above, then start deducting the cost of replacing anything that needs to be replaced and you will arrive at a price that the house is worth.
As this is one of the most important purchases you are likely to make for some time – I would say check it out again
A building inspector gives a good idea of the structure of the building and should aslo let you know if there are any structual problems – what must be done at once and what needs doing in the long term to make it safe etc.
If your inspection report was made as a “visual inspection” only then it was probably just a walk through and around to see if there were any visable signs of cracking in walls, water damage, erosion etc.
Who did the inspection – Did you choose the building inspector, or was it someone suggested by either the home owner or the estate agency?
We usually get a couple of quotes for car repairs, so as this is a much more important purchase, I’d suggest the following.
1 – If you are content with the visual inspection by the building inspector, and really want this home – maybe put in your expression of interest, subject to a satisfactory inspection in all areas.
2 – Get another inspection done – mentioning the areas you are concerned about. The building inspector should know if your worries re lead and asbestos are valid, by the age of the home and the area. Ask him for details.
Make sure this building inspector is prepared to “get down and get dirty” (When we bought our house, the building inspector walked around, and went through crawl spaces etc. He found some problems we were happy enough to “wear” but missed out on water seepage under the house and mould – because of a smashing paint job)
Signs of mould are a bit more difficult to discover as a spruce up paint job can cover a heap of problems so if rooms are freshly painted definately ask for a mould test. Remember mould can be found in any room – not just bathrooms, kitchens and laundry.
Also get a termite inspection done – white ant or other nasties.
3 – if you do find any of the above faults ask for a quote on getting it fixed.
4 – This gives you a couple of choice – negotiate a better price so you can get the repairs done -( show the quote as proof of what you are saying and try to get that deducted from the overall price. Or sugest that you are happy to pay full price so long as they bring the home to an acceptable level before you buy it.
Or if the damage is within your own expertese and you are happy to do it yourself and the price is reasonable – you could choose to go ahead and buy – wearing the cost of repair etc.
Or just say NO, sorry there is too much to be done and look elsewhere.
One other thing – if you are still searching for a home – do some reseach on “How to spot potential problems” Learn how to spot water damage, the almost invisible signs of mould, the ages and areas of homes that have or are likely to have asbestos included the same for lead.
I would probably try to discover what is under the ground as well – ie was that area a tip or garbage dump before the house was built – that sort of thing.
Also check out via a solicitor or conveyancing office that the title is free and clear before you go ahead.
I’d say this is intended as a family home and you either have children now or intend to in the near future.
If you have doubts or fears regarding any property you intend to buy – get it checked out as fully as possible.
I am aware all this can cost a fair bit – so I would only do it on a house I REALLY want.
A few extra thousand dollars could save you from much more expense in the long run
I seen one answer here regarding asbestos..asbestos was outlawed in joint compound, drywall materials and on actually in 1974, but what materials were already made and stockpiled by manufacturers were still allowed, thus the supply was used up untill around 1980 untill the stockpiles were depleted…Testing would be a good idea if really concerned..they do have self test kits for lead and asbestos you can do yourself..,.If you have popcorn(acoustic) ceilings, test it definately, for it was the most common asbestos materials than most others…take some of the paint in a closet or somewhere inconspicious and scrape down a small piece, or take a razor knife and actually cut off a piece an inch square down to the drywall itself and test.. alot of times lead will not show up if you test just the surface only, for it has more than likely been repainted numerous times..test what is the original paint..you can search on the net for “lead test kits”..”asbestos test kits” etc..and find them online..but first call local home depots, lowes etc and see if they are available there, and avoid shipping charges
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yes, have the house tested for anything and everything you can afford, you may regret not doing it later.
Depending on how old the house is, you might consider the following:
1. Ask when the last time the roof was replaced.
2. Ask when the last time windows were replaced.
3. Ask when the last time the carpets were replaced.
4. Have a termite inspector check the house, if you walk around, you can see if there is sign of termites.
5. Ask when the last time the Air Conditioning System was replaced.
Then visually check the entire house, looking for any water leaks, check out bathtubs, showers, toilets, sinks, ect.
After you do all of the above, then start deducting the cost of replacing anything that needs to be replaced and you will arrive at a price that the house is worth.
Hope that helps.
radon…..etc…….ask the realtor if any of your concerns are appropriate for the area.
what is the reputation of builder? do you have a one year warranty from the builder?
ask others in the area, neighbors if any of these problems exist in their homes.
I agree with “brensbre”age makes a difference,
check for dryrot, termites and carpenter ants too!
As this is one of the most important purchases you are likely to make for some time – I would say check it out again
A building inspector gives a good idea of the structure of the building and should aslo let you know if there are any structual problems – what must be done at once and what needs doing in the long term to make it safe etc.
If your inspection report was made as a “visual inspection” only then it was probably just a walk through and around to see if there were any visable signs of cracking in walls, water damage, erosion etc.
Who did the inspection – Did you choose the building inspector, or was it someone suggested by either the home owner or the estate agency?
We usually get a couple of quotes for car repairs, so as this is a much more important purchase, I’d suggest the following.
1 – If you are content with the visual inspection by the building inspector, and really want this home – maybe put in your expression of interest, subject to a satisfactory inspection in all areas.
2 – Get another inspection done – mentioning the areas you are concerned about. The building inspector should know if your worries re lead and asbestos are valid, by the age of the home and the area. Ask him for details.
Make sure this building inspector is prepared to “get down and get dirty” (When we bought our house, the building inspector walked around, and went through crawl spaces etc. He found some problems we were happy enough to “wear” but missed out on water seepage under the house and mould – because of a smashing paint job)
Signs of mould are a bit more difficult to discover as a spruce up paint job can cover a heap of problems so if rooms are freshly painted definately ask for a mould test. Remember mould can be found in any room – not just bathrooms, kitchens and laundry.
Also get a termite inspection done – white ant or other nasties.
3 – if you do find any of the above faults ask for a quote on getting it fixed.
4 – This gives you a couple of choice – negotiate a better price so you can get the repairs done -( show the quote as proof of what you are saying and try to get that deducted from the overall price. Or sugest that you are happy to pay full price so long as they bring the home to an acceptable level before you buy it.
Or if the damage is within your own expertese and you are happy to do it yourself and the price is reasonable – you could choose to go ahead and buy – wearing the cost of repair etc.
Or just say NO, sorry there is too much to be done and look elsewhere.
One other thing – if you are still searching for a home – do some reseach on “How to spot potential problems” Learn how to spot water damage, the almost invisible signs of mould, the ages and areas of homes that have or are likely to have asbestos included the same for lead.
I would probably try to discover what is under the ground as well – ie was that area a tip or garbage dump before the house was built – that sort of thing.
Also check out via a solicitor or conveyancing office that the title is free and clear before you go ahead.
I’d say this is intended as a family home and you either have children now or intend to in the near future.
If you have doubts or fears regarding any property you intend to buy – get it checked out as fully as possible.
I am aware all this can cost a fair bit – so I would only do it on a house I REALLY want.
A few extra thousand dollars could save you from much more expense in the long run
I seen one answer here regarding asbestos..asbestos was outlawed in joint compound, drywall materials and on actually in 1974, but what materials were already made and stockpiled by manufacturers were still allowed, thus the supply was used up untill around 1980 untill the stockpiles were depleted…Testing would be a good idea if really concerned..they do have self test kits for lead and asbestos you can do yourself..,.If you have popcorn(acoustic) ceilings, test it definately, for it was the most common asbestos materials than most others…take some of the paint in a closet or somewhere inconspicious and scrape down a small piece, or take a razor knife and actually cut off a piece an inch square down to the drywall itself and test.. alot of times lead will not show up if you test just the surface only, for it has more than likely been repainted numerous times..test what is the original paint..you can search on the net for “lead test kits”..”asbestos test kits” etc..and find them online..but first call local home depots, lowes etc and see if they are available there, and avoid shipping charges