You’ve found your dream home, and your offer’s been accepted.
Now what?
Normally, the next step is getting a home inspection to identify potential issues and safety hazards. A good general inspection covers things like the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and interior.
But in some specialized cases—like when you’re buying an older property or a property in a flood zone—it might be prudent to bring in a specialized inspector to take a deeper dive.
“If there are concerns raised during the home inspection or something that appears obvious such as cracks or settling, or if you are aware the area has land issues like a sinkhole, earth movement, or landslides, it’s time to bring in a specialist,” advises Cara Ameer, a real estate agent licensed in both Florida and California.
In certain scenarios, hiring an architectural inspector will inform homebuyers about what exactly they’re getting into with their purchase
An architectural inspection “can save a buyer hundreds of thousands of dollars for costly repairs that might not have been caught otherwise—or help steer you away from a money pit,” says DJ Ten Hoeve of Keller Williams Real Estate in Red Bank, NJ.
What is an architectural inspector?
While all home inspectors inspect the structure, an architectural inspector uses engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with building codes and safety regulations.
The certifications architectural inspectors are required to have can vary based on specific state regulations, but most have degrees or advanced expertise in architectural engineering, architecture, and construction management.
“A home inspector is more inspecting the workings of the home, as well as its appliances and utilities—whereas an architectural inspector would be more focused on structural integrity,” says Ryan Bullock, a real estate agent based in Philadelphia who is the strategic real estate adviser at Real Estate Bees.
When should you hire an architectural inspector?
Older homes often face challenges with roofs, electrical systems, plumbing, and other systems, making specialized inspections particularly beneficial.
An architectural inspection can give a more thorough assessment of the foundation, framing, and other structural components of the home to detect any possible weaknesses or issues—and give suggestions on how they should be repaired.
“A home inspector is familiar with construction methods and standards, but most aren’t licensed to offer official structural expertise,” says Welmoed Sisson, an ASHI-certified home inspector from Frederick, MD.
For example, Sisson says that as a home inspector, she can look at a damaged roof truss and identify that it’s not up to code. However, she can’t specify exactly how it must be repaired. You’ll need an architectural inspector or a structural engineer for that.
Does every homebuyer need to hire an architectural inspector?
Not every homebuyer needs to hire an architectural inspector.
“This is not something a homebuyer has to do on every home—only those in certain areas that may have issues, such as being on the waterfront or a hillside,” says Ameer.
Additionally, you should consider hiring an architectural inspector if you notice “bowing in the walls; door frames or window frames that are slanting; or floors or staircases that are slanting,” Bullock advises. “If you are dealing with a home that is over 100 years old, it may also be smart to consider an architectural inspection.”
It’s also a good idea to hire an architectural inspector if the home has had major renovations with additions and structural work, or when buying a property in “as-is” condition.
Purchasing a condo? Most people doing so forgo an architectural inspection since a specialist “would really have to evaluate the entire building, which could cost several thousands of dollars,” says Ameer. “This would likely need to be cleared with the condo association.”
However, in places like Florida, condo buildings with three or more stories must undergo a structural integrity inspection that assesses the entire building. As a buyer, you should be provided with this report.
“You could certainly retain your own experts to review this report and give you their opinion of the findings,” Ameer says.
However, if you feel slanting floors in your condo, you should consider getting your own architectural inspection done, according to Bullock—just to be on the safe side.
