It may not be the most exciting step in the home-buying process, but a home inspection is perhaps one of the most important. Provenance Properties Lead Sales Specialist Fleur Coleman recently asked WestPoint Inspection’s owner Kel Ebanks about what home inspections entail.
FC: What's the purpose of a home inspection?
KE: A home inspection is usually requested by a home buyer or realtor on behalf of the buyer. The inspection assesses the safety and functionality of a structure in order to identify defects. It determines if anything needs to be repaired and provides an average cost for repairs. Ultimately, it’s an important part of a buyer’s decision-making process.
FC: What is included in a typical home inspection report?
KE: A good report is very comprehensive and should include assessments on every structural aspect of a home. At WestPoint, we are licensed to do this and our multi-page reports include detailed descriptions with photos. We assess the safety and functionality of structural components such as roof coverings and attic spaces, trusses, hurricane straps, walls, floors and foundations. Other areas inspected are windows, doors, appliances, light fixtures and air conditioning systems. We look for any safety concerns or hazards in all mechanical and electrical equipment to make sure everything was installed correctly. We check all plumbing and septic systems to test drainage and to look for leaks.
FC: What if you find damage or discover safety hazards?
KE: We flag these items and advise why they are a concern, along with the correct type of professional repair and the average cost to fix it.
FC: What’s not typically covered?
KE: Usually, there are separate reports for things such as swimming pools, spas, docks, seawalls or termite inspections. It is also important to note that home inspections do not focus on anything superficial or cosmetic. We are focused on defects and safety, not aesthetics.
FC: Are home inspections a legal requirement in the Cayman Islands?
KE: There is currently no legislation that requires a home to go through a home inspection prior to purchase in the Cayman Islands. However, many local banks ask for an inspection as part of their mortgage approval process.
FC: What should the homeowner expect?
KE: A good real estate agent will notify sellers of a scheduled home inspection so that it’s not a surprise. Also, a good home inspector is very respectful of the property. We may remove the panel to inspect a circuit breaker, but we never open up walls or destroy anything in the process. The inspection will take about two and a half hours on average, but it can be longer for very large homes.
Kel Ebanks is the owner of WestPoint Inspections and WestPoint Construction Group Ltd and a US-licensed home inspector.
This article was originally published in the December 2021 print edition of Camana Bay Times.
