A home inspection will inform you, as the potential buyer, of the current condition of the log cabin and assure you that it is ready to occupy.
Your log home is a major investment and whether you plan to live there forever or move on in a few years, you certainly don’t want any unexpected problems cropping up to surprise you down the road.
As a log cabin buyer you need to exercise extra due diligence and that’s why hiring a certified inspector makes sense. You can get a quick idea of the overall condition of the cabin on your own with our short inspection checklist or do a thorough job with our comprehensive checklist.
New log homes receive a certificate of occupancy from the local building inspectors, but while this ensures that building codes have been adhered to (at least for the most part – building inspectors are not infallible, nor do they have unlimited time to fully inspect every detail), building codes are the bare minimum standard.
In addition, there may be issues or shortcomings that can cause you problems but that are not necessarily code violations and so would not have been caught by the building inspectors but would be checked by a cabin inspection. Our page on cabin exterior inspection tips offers a closer look at critical areas to investigate.
Most new cabin construction will offer a warranty period for the new owners, but there may be items not covered by the warranty or there may be limitations on the warranty.
What’s the difference between a home inspector and a building inspector?
A home inspector is a private, certified individual who is hired by the potential buyer to watch out for the buyer’s interests while he conducts an independent home inspection.
A building inspector works for the local building code agency, usually city or county, and inspects the house during the construction process. Building inspectors ensure that the log home is built according to local building codes.
Typical inspections for a building inspector include:
What does an inspection involve?
A new cabin inspection is a visual, operational check of all the different components of a home. It is non-invasive, meaning that the inspector will not drill into walls, remove structures or damage the property in order to perform the home inspection.
What is included on the typical cabin inspection checklist?
The following list details many of the systems that are included:
A comprehensive report is provided following the visit, sometimes including recommendations for further evaluation by specialized inspectors, such as structural engineers, radon inspectors or mold mitigation specialists.
What are my options if the report turns up flaws? Generally, you have the following options to address any shortcomings:
What are the major problems that might raise a red flag?
The following issues are ones you want to address quickly or that might even lead you to back out of the deal.
How do I choose?
The best way to choose an inspector is to get referrals from family and friends who have used one and to ask them who they’ve had a good experience with. You should also ensure that your cabin inspector has:
Licensing or Certification Requirements vary from state to state but check for their license number on their cards or website.
Membership in a Professional Organization There are several national home inspector organizations such as:
No Conflict of Interest Don’t use an inspector who may stand to gain from the sale or cancellation of the sale of the log home. Be careful of who your inspector recommends for damage repairs. Use your professional home inspection to make your dream of log home living come true. If nothing else, your log cabin inspection will alert you to various maintenance issues for you to keep an eye on and areas to be improved.
This short inspection checklist will give you a quick idea of the cabin’s condition, while this comprehensive checklist covers the ground more thoroughly. A professional home inspection can reassure you that all systems have been checked over and that there are no major issues to be dealt with later on in your log home.
For a comprehensive look into this important subject, check out "The Complete Guide to Home Inspection" by Roger C. Robinson and Michael Litchfield.
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