Abstract: Home inspector notes on a West Vancouver condo inspection. All the usual suspects are identified. It’s important that both the private property and the common areas be inspected to determine the overall condition.
An EKAN condo inspection has two parts. The first part is the area of private property, or the interior of the condominium. The second part is an inspection of the commonly-owned areas. Thus the reference to layers (of ownership) in the word ‘strata’.
Depending on the age of the development, condo inspections in West Vancouver have some predictability as to areas of concern. Here are “the usual suspects” of costly issues that may be encountered.
Interior:
- Obsolete electrical panel.
- Overloaded electrical receptacles.
- Unauthorized renovations.
- Questionable in-suite laundry installation.
- Unsafe fireplace.
- Faulty hot water heating.
- Bathroom moisture damage.
- Stains on ceilings.
- Poor ventilation issues.
- Security deficiencies.
Exterior:
- Roof needs replacement.
- Building envelope issues.
- Boiler and piping systems near end of life.
- Underground parking ventilation and structural concerns.
- Paved surfaces condition.
- Steps and walkway hazards.
- Balconies need rehabilitation.
- Security and alarm systems obsolete.
- Energy wasting windows creating uncomfortable drafts.
EKAN Home Inspection recommends that a condo buyer never agree to an “interior only” inspection as the majority of future repair and replacement costs are related to the common property.