Walkthrough Inspections
Walkthrough Inspections are comprehensive inspections without a written report but with a checklist. A Walkthrough Inspection is for clients who require the physical inspection but don’t need a detailed report.
Usually, their reasons are one of the following:
- Sometimes homebuyers don’t want or need a comprehensive inspection and report of the property they want to buy because they are on a tight budget.
- Clients sometimes shortlist interesting homes. All they require, at this point, is the walkthrough inspection assurance that there is not something seriously wrong with one or more of the shortlisted houses before committing to signing an “Offer to Purchase” and having a home inspection.
- Because of circumstances, some buyers will need an inspection of a house they found on the internet. In this instance, they need the assurance that the house they are interested in is worth the effort to inspect for themselves. Obviously, on these occasions, they are either too busy or have to travel some distance to view the house.
- Other clients have done their inspection of the house. However, requires only the assurance that there are no serious and/or expensive defects or maintenance issues.
For example, I’ve had times when clients have contacted me from far away places, like Cape Town, to give them an idea of the condition of a house in Randburg.
In these instances, this type of inspection is handy and ideal for those clients.
Furthermore, a Walkthrough Inspection fee is normally half that of a Comprehensive Inspection.
This type of inspection is informal
However, a walkthrough inspection is not a formal home inspection. It is an informal inspection. As a result, I perform a visual walkthrough inspection of the home and provide you with a checklist summarising my observations. Furthermore, my comments will be nothing more than a subjective summary of my initial observations during the walk-through.
What is involved in a walkthrough inspection?
The walkthrough requires the same time as a comprehensive inspection. On average, this is about 1½ to 3 hours depending on the condition of the property. You can ask questions and take notes while I explain the defects.
Because a walkthrough is less formal, I do not adhere to the InterNACHI Standards of Practice which requires me to produce a written report with photos. If you are present at the walkthrough, I do not generate a written report but provide a checklist. I communicate my observations orally to you. You can make your own notes during the inspection. In this way, you save time and money because there is no written report to produce after the inspection.
However, if you can’t attend the walkthrough, I will communicate my observations to you in the form of a checklist.
In addition, because it is an informal inspection, an inspection of this type is also very affordable!
However, you will need to sign an InterNACHI Walk-Though Inspection Agreement before the walkthrough. This is to protect me against liability as a result of deviating from the requirements of the InterNACHI Standards of Practice for Home Inspections by not producing a formal report.
Inspected Once, Inspected Right!®