Buying or renting a home is an important decision and a significant investment, and it is crucial to ensure that the structural integrity and functionality of the house are up to par. From hidden plumbing issues to electrical and structural problems, ignoring home defects can have sweeping consequences that might not just be expensive but also life-threatening.
In this article, we go over the common types of defects, what causes them and the potential consequences that result from ignoring these defects. We also delve into the significance of fixing these defects as soon as possible. Moreover, this article covers factors that can help you make a choice between fixing home defects yourself or hiring an expert to inspect and fix your home defects for you.
Understanding Home Defects
A home defect, as its name suggests, is any fault or issue that is present in a property. This defect affects a property’s functionality, safety, security or aesthetic appeal. Home defects can vary in size and severity and can range from small issues in the exterior and aesthetics of a house to major structural issues that can harm the integrity of a building.
Common Types of Home Defects
Defective Finishes
Either due to materials used or defective craftsmanship, properties can sometimes have defective finishes. These include problems like damaged fixtures, peeling paint, loose flooring and cracked tiles. More detrimental issues include hollow tiles and uneven laying of the tiles, which may not be visually inspected but could cause issues at a much later stage. This can negatively impact the appearance and as a result, the appeal of the property.
Plumbing Issues
Plumbing issues are defects that may affect the functionality of the house and can cause a great deal of inconvenience for residents. Clogged drains and toilets, leaky faucets in kitchens and bathrooms, inadequate water pressure and heating issues are all types of plumbing issues that require different solutions. New homeowners who have chosen to rearrange the layout of the existing toilets, may want to pay special attention to this potential issue.
Electrical Problems
Electrical defects can be dangerous for both the property and the people residing in it. These issues can include but are not limited to faulty wiring, overloaded electricity sources, and malfunctioning outlets and switches. Electrical defects can result from careless installation processes, subpar materials and through use over time. These defects can start off as small inconveniences and lead to larger issues like fire and shock hazards.
Waterproofing Defects
Waterproofing defects cause water leakage or seepage to occur through roofs, ceilings, and walls. This can lead to various issues that can damage property through mould growth and damage to interior finishes in a home. Such issues would be more prevailing to penthouse or landed home owners.
Structural Defects
Structural defects in a property result from poor construction or design. This means that in some cases, structural issues are issues in the foundation of a house. Cracks in walls, uneven floors, damaged or poorly structured roofs and so many more issues can negatively impact the safety and stability of the house. Not only do these defects potentially cause harm due to instability, they can also decrease a property’s value due to how they affect the appearance of a house.
Ventilation and Insulation Issues
Poor ventilation and insufficient insulation can both result in fluctuations in temperature, reduced air flow and can cause discomfort within the property. Furthermore, these two inconsistencies within a property can also lead to moisture buildup and cause potential health issues for residents from mould growth and musty odours. Additionally, this can rack up utility costs if left unchecked.
Pest Infestation
While this is not considered a defect, it is an issue that poses a health hazard and results in defects within the property’s structure. The presence of pests like cockroaches, rodents, termites, fleas, and ants can compromise hygiene and cause health issues. Moreover, they can cause problems such as structural issues, cracks and holes and damaged wires to your property.
Importance of Home Defects Checks
When purchasing or renting a property, it is highly important to check the place for any defects that could lead to consequences for the property itself and for people residing in the house. There are several reasons why defect checks for a home are crucial. Let’s go over them.
Safety
First of all, the safety of residents should always be of the utmost importance. Identifying and addressing any issues and defects can help prevent accidents and injuries. It can also ensure that there are no safety hazards and that no hygiene factors are breached by leaving problems unattended.
Additionally, addressing these concerns and getting any defects that are found fixed as soon as possible can offer homeowners or tenants peace of mind. Knowing that your home is free from inconveniences or potential threats can provide a sense of comfort and ease, which improves your well-being and overall quality of life.
Financial Protection
Apart from physical safety and security, conducting a home defects inspection before finalising any transactions for your property can ensure that construction has been completed in accordance with your sales and purchase agreement.
Moreover, this can ensure that you do not spend on any additional repair and renovation costs you are not liable for according to the defect liability period in your sales and purchase agreement.
You can read more about the defect liability period and other specifics in your sales and purchase agreement here.
Long-Term Investment
A property purchase is a long-term investment. Ensuring that a thorough inspection is conducted and any issues that need fixing are done by the parties that are responsible allows you to ensure that you are making a good long-term investment.
Doing so enables property owners to maintain and in the future, enhance the value of property. Additionally, addressing issues promptly and maintaining the condition of your property may play a hand in increasing its resale potential.
Once you understand the different types of defects you can find in a property and know how crucial it is to check for these in your home, you must decide whether you want to conduct an inspection yourself or hire experts to do this for you.
Do-It-Yourself or Hire An Expert?
Deciding whether you should conduct a home defects check yourself or hire an expert to do it for you depends on various factors. Your own knowledge and expertise on this matter, the type of property you are purchasing or renting, and the severity of the defects you might find in your home are some factors you must take into consideration when making this decision.
Conducting A Home Defects Check Yourself
Cost-effectiveness
Conducting a home defects check yourself is a cost-effective option. As you will not be paying for professional services, you will save money on the costs that come with hiring an expert. This is a good choice for those on a tight budget or for smaller properties with relatively simple structures like, for example,1-Bedroom or 2-Bedroom units.
Familiarity and Flexibility
Unless you are just moving into your newly purchased or rented property, you are more likely to be familiar with the inner workings of your house. As such, you may have more knowledge about the property, its history and any issues that may have come up in the past. This sense of familiarity could help you identify existing defects and any potential issues that could arise in the future.
Moreover, a DIY inspection allows for flexibility throughout the entire process of searching for defects and finding solutions. You can do this at your own pace and when it is most convenient for you. You can also focus on areas in your property that you are personally concerned with first.
Learning Opportunity
In addition to this, conducting your own home defect inspection could be a very good learning opportunity that can equip you with a new set of skills and information on properties in Singapore, construction work and defects.
Concerns
While there are benefits to conducting a home defects check yourself, it is essential to note that a number of concerns could arise that might suggest the need for services from an expert. For instance, a DIY inspection will not come with the experience and expertise that professionals have, and this could lead to certain defects or issues being overlooked, especially for properties with complex structures and systems. Moreover, the process could become a lot more time-consuming for larger properties without a designated time or schedule to complete the inspection. Additionally, DIY home inspections might not be able to fulfil certain legal requirements that may be mentioned in a contract.
Hiring An Expert
Experience and Expertise
According to an article by the Straits Times, the demand for defect inspections in Singapore has significantly risen as more and more housing projects are completed after Covid-related delays. Due to the delays and rush to complete projects, homeowners are much more vigilant with their safety and defect checks. As a result of this, they are turning to professionals for help to ensure that their homes are in good condition.
Professionals who conduct defect inspections for properties are trained and have an expansive knowledge of the different types of defects that are found in a home and how they can be fixed. Moreover, these individuals typically have years of experience under their belt which ensures that no defects will go unnoticed.
Extra Safety
Getting an expert to check for any defects in your home can add a layer of safety to the entire process. Knowing that you have a qualified professional checking for all of the hidden defects in your property can help alleviate a lot of the stress that may come with defect checks. Furthermore, if you are getting an inspection done before signing a contract for your new property purchase, you may feel safer and more confident knowing that all the necessary steps to ensure a successful transaction have been taken.
Time Effeciency
Hiring an expert to inspect your home for any defects is a time-efficient option as compared to conducting one yourself. Once you have scheduled an appointment, the company conducting the check takes care of the entire process, from inspecting the property to documenting findings and listing potential solutions.
Concerns
Some considerations to take note of when you choose to hire professional services for your home defects check include the costs, the reputation of the company you are working with, additional services that they may offer and charge for, and insurance and liabilities in the case of any errors they make throughout the inspection.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding which option is the best one for you. There are benefits and concerns that come with both the DIY option and hiring professional services. Depending on what your budget is, your property type and the unique skills and concerns you may have, you can decide which option you will benefit from the most.
Closing Thoughts
Conducting a home defects check for your property is a crucial step to purchasing or renting a place for yourself and your family.
Hiring an expert can bring in specialised knowledge and a comprehensive assessment of the property. Moreover, this process can save time, comply with legalities and regulations, and may offer liability protection. Taking a DIY approach can be cost-effective, flexible and serve as a learning opportunity.
Whether you are a prospective homebuyer or a tenant moving into your new flat, understanding the importance of a home defects check and staying informed on what causes these defects and how they can be fixed will ensure you are safe on all fronts in your new home.
Feel free to contact us here if you have any concerns and would like professional guidance on your property journey. If you found this article insightful and would like to stay up-to-date on different real estate trends and helpful topics like this one, check out our work at PLB Insights.
As always, see you in the next one!
