High-rise condominiums are significantly different from detached single-family homes, and for that reason, an inspection of a condo should be significantly different in its focus compared to a standard home inspection.
In a detached home, big expenses that are likely to come up include aging roofs and leaking basements. These are simply not an issue when it comes to the purchase of an individual condo unit. Similarly, the condo owner is not going to have to deal with insulation upgrades, or structural problems in the attic. This is why Clarke Engineering focuses on what matters specifically to condo buyers.
A condo inspection performed by Clarke Engineering is an evaluation of the components and systems within the unit that most commonly turn into significant expenses for the owner. These systems include:
- Heating and cooling units
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing systems and fixtures
- Kitchen and laundry appliances
Many condo buyers are under the impression that condominiums are maintenance-free. It is true that the condominium corporation repairs and maintains common elements using the maintenance fees collected from owners, but the unit itself, and the repair and maintenance thereof, is the responsibility of the owner. And maintenance and repair is needed from time to time. When that maintenance has been lacking, problems can arise.
The most common problems that we see in condo units include:
- Bathtub and shower enclosure failures,
- Dishwasher leakage,
- Damaged toilets, sinks and basins,
- Water-damaged flooring,
- Inoperative or partially-inoperative appliances, and
- Inoperative ventilation systems.
While not as common an occurrence, we also find problems related to heating and cooling systems in condos. Many owners assume that the heating equipment is the responsibility of the condo corporation, however this is only partly true. In most cases, fan-coil units and packaged terminal air conditioners are the property and responsibility of the unit owner, and replacement of these will cost thousands of dollars each, when needed.
When it comes time to put an offer in on your dream condo, make sure that you are getting the information that you need to make an informed purchase decision. A condo inspection by Clarke Engineering will give you the guidance that you need.
One final note. Don’t trust your condo inspection to any home inspector. Many condo systems are different that their single-family home counterparts. Ask your potential home inspector what a PTAC is. If they don’t know, don’t hire them
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