Category: Industry Updates

So, you just put an offer on your dream home and the seller accepted your terms. You are bursting with excitement and can’t wait to move in. Before moving in, and before signing any sales contracts, a home inspection is needed to determine the items that may need attention in your new home. Let’s take a look at what a home inspection is and its importance.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection occurs after an offer is presented to the seller and accepted but before any sales contracts are signed. This inspection is a visual observation of the house and will help to identify any safety concerns, health issues, and even mechanical issues the house may have. An inspector will look for things that are not functioning properly or, not up to code with the state. It is important to note that a home inspector is not looking at the cosmetic items of the home.

A home inspection is crucial as it could save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs.

What does a home inspection look at?

Inspectors have a list of things to check in the home, their job is to find defects and there are a number of major things they look for. This includes items such as:

• Water damage
• Roof damage
• Plumbing
• Pest infestation
• HVAC system issues
• Foundation or structural issues
• Fireplace operation
• Steps, stairways, or driveway safety

An inspection is not a pass or fail exam, and again, it is important to note that the professional is not looking at the appearance of the house. The inspection is more detailed and will usually include checklists, summaries, photographs, and notes. The most important aspect of the home inspection is the recommended repairs and replacements. This will allow you the potential homeowner to determine if you want to move forward with the purchase or, potentially negotiate with the seller due to high-cost repairs that are needed.

How to negotiate after a home inspection?

After the inspection is complete the buyer and seller can negotiate the contract that was originally present or, the buyer can decide they no longer wish to move forward with the purchase of the home. Depending on the issues that were listed in the report the buyer could request the seller to complete and pay for the necessary repairs on their end or, they can even offer a credit from the seller so that they can complete the repairs.

A good real estate agent can help to negotiate these terms further on the buyer’s behalf. There are instances where the seller can actually walk away from the buyers’ requests so it’s important to have an experienced real estate agent in your corner to help with this.

Hiring a Home Inspector

Typically, as the buyer, you will be the one to hire the home inspector. You will want to arrange your own inspection so you can vet the inspector yourself and ensure there is no prior relationship with the current homeowners. The typical cost of a home inspection is around $300 – $500 depending on your location and the experience of the inspector. This cost is paid for at the time of the service.

You can find home inspectors through the Dibbs marketplace which allows you to get quotes from multiple professionals in your area. You can then interview each potential home inspector and ask about their experience, training, and expertise areas.

We would recommend taking a look at reviews as well and if you are still not sure which direction you would like to move forward with ask for references. There is no shame in doing your due diligence as this is an important step in the home-buying process.

All in all, home inspections are crucial to keep homeowners safe and are an important part of the home buying and selling process. Set yourself up for success with a good realtor and prior knowledge of the process to help with negotiations and potentially a better sale price.

It may come as a surprise to some but 3D printing is not new technology. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, was first created in the 1980s in Japan by Hideo Kodama. Kodama is responsible for creating the layer-by-layer approach to manufacturing. Despite his inability to file a patent for this technology, he along with a trio of French researchers, are credited for finding this technology.

The patent for this technology did not come until 1986 by an American furniture Charles Hull. He submitted the patent application for the technology, and following in 1988 he founded the 3D Systems Corporation where he made the first commercial 3D printer.

Why does it exist?

3D printing is the process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. This process allows you to produce complex shapes using less material than traditional methods. SLA was the first 3D technology created. SLA is a high-powered laser that turns a liquid resin into a solid material. This is completed from the ground up in a layer-by-layer fashion.

How is 3D Printing used today?

Today, the 3D printing construction market is rapidly growing. Statista shares that the industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17 percent between 2020 and 2023. This leaves a lot of room for growth and opportunities for those in the industry. The 3D market like many others includes an array of pros and cons when it comes to how it will be used.

Benefits of this technology in the construction industry include the following:

• Increase Speed – 3D printing allows for the building of homes or buildings in a matter of days as opposed to conventional construction which can take months or even years. According to Marco Vonk, Marketing Manager at Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix, “You save about 60% of the time on the Jobsite and 80% in labor.”
• Design Freedom – 3D printing allows architects to create extremely difficult shapes that they otherwise may not have been able to create.
• Waste Reduction – Because 3D printing is an additive technology, it only uses the amount of material needed for each job.

The downside includes:

• Labor Shortage – This is a prime example of technology replacing jobs of workers to save time and money.
• Regulations – Digital Builder shares how there’s much uncertainty in this aspect of 3D printing in construction. Until laws and regulations are clearly defined, it’s unlikely that 3D printing will make too much of a mark in the construction sector.

The unknown of 3D printing stops it from being such a mainstream way of life in the construction realm. As large companies such as BAM or Saint – Gobain continue to use this technology other companies will want to stay here as well. As the construction industry is one of the largest in the world, it is exciting to see new technology constantly created to help innovate and change the industry.