Home inspectors are trusted to investigate an entire property during an inspection. The potential purchaser of a property knows that every corner of the house is going to be investigated for any potential issue, as well as the comfort of knowing things are well built and maintained. But a property is more than just the main structure. The buyer is paying for more than just the primary building. They are purchasing the land, the driveway, and each structure on that property.
Garages and DADUs Inspection
A detached garage and a DADU (detached accessory dwelling unit) are just as important as the primary house during a home inspection.
Let’s consider a detached garage first. This is a building with a foundation, structural walls, and a roof. It has electrical and sometimes has plumbing for a utility sink, half bathroom, and possibly a water heater. The inspection of a garage can uncover many potential issues that could turn out to be very costly down the road. Just a like a house, the foundation needs to be intact, with substantial footers, no sign of cracks or settling, and can support the structure. The electrical needs to be safe, and the plumbing needs to work properly with no leaks. Structural issues can cost the homeowner a lot of money to repair. Then there are the rare, but possible issues, such as termites, mold, frayed wires, lead pipes, asbestos, and many other things that a trained and experienced home inspector can find.
A DADU requires the same level of inspection. This is true whether the DADU is part of the garage, or whether its sole purpose is to be a living space. This is sometimes easier to inspect, since the same process and checklist can be used as if it were a house. An ADU has a foundation, electrical, plumbing, bathroom, finished walls, insulation, and just about everything a house would have. But it can’t be ignored during an inspection, and is just as important to inspect as the house.
Most garages and DADUs have no more problems than the primary house. Often times a detached garage or DADU had been built more recently than the primary house. Inspectors typically find fewer issues when the garage and DADU had been built by competent builders who are proud of their work. These are the builders who are experts in many trades, have exceptionally high standards when hiring subcontractors, give maximum visibility to the customers and provide excellent customer service, and care about the details. As inspectors, we have found structures build by Nashville Garage Builders, who is considered by many to be the top garage and DADU contractor in Nashville. They say that it’s the love they have for making their customers happy. They explain that anyone can pour concrete and build four walls and roof. But it is the attention to detail that makes their customers happy.
Driveways Inspection
Concrete lasts for 30+ years, while asphalt lasts 20+ years. The longevity has many factors, but it starts with the contractor. A driveway needs to be well built. It is very easy to cut corners when your customers don’t know any better. But pride in craftsmanship and the value placed on ensuring the customer gets a quality product means that a quality product will be built. These driveways pass inspections with no issues, and the buyer can be confident that, aside from basic maintenance, their driveway will last for many years.
Conclusion
The primary structure on the property is the primary focus of any home inspection for a prospective buyer. We have found that it is not just good practice, but imperative to not only inspect other structures on the property, but also the entire property itself. Of course, things age over time. But a quality builder, who is proud of their work, and focuses on the customer will produce a great quality product that will likely go through a home inspection with little to no issues.
