I'm buying an existing home, not building a new one. What do I look for during the home inspection?
This is a big one! Fact is, most traditional home inspectors are trained to look for problems with your HVAC systems, plumbing, or concrete foundation, and having those systems functioning properly is important. But normal home inspectors do not have the expertise necessary to check out a log home. Some things are simple - are there any cracks in the caulking or chinking? Is there any stain that is peeling or flaking? You'll know that some sort of finishing work may be necessary. But what about potential rot? Are there issues with the logs themselves? There are simply too many questions that can't be answered by a DIY inspection checklist.
The best and safest thing to do would be to have a specialty log home finishing contractor do a thorough review of the logs, the condition of the stain and sealants, and give you an opinion on what needs to be done, if anything. Many finishing contractors are happy to do this for a small fee, much like your home inspector. Similar to a home inspector, they'll be able to give you an idea of what work needs to be done and what it'll cost to do it.
Published on: January 9th, 2019
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