Buying a home can be one of the biggest investments you are likely to make in your lifetime and is always an exciting and challenging occasion. It can also be especially difficult as everyone buys their first home with ZERO experience in buying property.
This is something the professionals at Electric Heating Experts fully understand. We also know that when it comes to making a full inspection of the electrical fixtures and power points, the first-time home buyer is facing many pitfalls and traps. With this in mind, we have compiled this short compendium of vital information on inspecting the electrical properties of a new home.
What Are the Monthly Costs?
The first thing you should ask when you are considering a property to purchase is about the costs of the electric and gas bills. You will want to know what type of costs you will be facing at this location.
Do You need a Home Inspection?
A professional home inspection will be an important service to consider before you have signed any documents on the dotted line. A professional will be able to look behind the superficial touch-ups and to see the damages and reparations that have been made behind fresh paint, built in ovens and new tiling. Defects in your wiring, water or gas supplies can spell trouble in the future and this is something you will want to know about before you make any final plans.
Calling in a professional to conduct the inspection will provide you with a detailed picture of the property you are planning on purchasing. They will be able to describe the property and potential for disaster in terms you can see and understand.
The best course of action would be to request an EIRC (Electrical Installation Condition Report) from these inspections. This will provide a comprehensive view of the fixtures, fittings, power points and wiring on location. Additionally, the EIRC will include an inspection for:
- Fire detectors
- Hard-wired smoke alarms
- Consumer units
- Fuse boards
- Boilers
- Panel and storage heaters.
Who Is Qualified to Carry Out a Proper Property Survey?
If you have your property inspected by a professional, you can ensure you will receive an accurate and reliable reading if your professional is a member of any of the following organisations:
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA)
Of course, the level of quality you will receive from these professional inspectors will be reflected in the higher price. It is also important to remember that the type of service you require should be related to the property you will be inspecting as well as its age.
House Viewing
Of course, if you will be arriving to inspect a home you may be interested in, you don’t necessarily need an inspector with you. There is plenty you can do yourself to ensure that the property you have in mind is actually suitable for your needs. Here are a few things to look at in your initial review of a home you are thinking of purchasing:
- Are the light switches working in each room?
- Do you see signs of mould or water damage?
- Are their wires that are damaged or in disrepair?
- Are the power sockets in a convenient location? Are there enough around the house?
- Has the boiler been serviced? How is its performance?
- How old is the fuse box and when was the last time it was serviced?
- Does the property have central heating?
- What is the insulation like? Is it sufficient to help lower heating expenses?
This is just a brief overview of some of the most important aspects of new home inspection. For more information and advice from the Electric Heating Experts, and an overview of German ceramic heating, visit our blog today.