Inspector for Brownstone
My husband and I are getting ready to make an offer on a brownstone. We want an inspector to do a walk-through with us beforehand. Can anyone recommend an inspector? Also, what does this cost? I am completely clueless. Thanks all!
My husband and I are getting ready to make an offer on a brownstone. We want an inspector to do a walk-through with us beforehand. Can anyone recommend an inspector? Also, what does this cost? I am completely clueless. Thanks all!
I second Mopar. Go with Heimer. They include a cost breakdown at the end for repairs.
Did our 2-family on a Monday morning, received a 101-pages report by email on Wednesday; 2 hard copies on Thursday. Negotiated with seller’s agent Fri night and Sat morning. Clinched a reasonable 9.5% reduction over asking price.
Well worth the money. Plus it gives a nice roadmap as to what the priorities are for the property.
I agree wait until you have an offer in to pay for an inspection. If things are a real wreck, maybe ask a contractor or two to give you an idea of fix up cost. Why spend almost $1,000 on a house that is not yours?
PS, we also submitted our offer first (contigent upon inspection and financing), had it accepted, then condicted the inspection and negotiated down significantly based on the findings.
We also recommend Matthew Barnett. He just performed an inspection for us on a house we’re purchasing in Crown Heights and was very helpful in explaining the necessary repairs to us (as first time homeowners). I think it cost $750.
In sure there are a lot of good experienced inspectors. We used old house inspection, they were great (i think its under $1000) and we still call them to get recommendations on subs or work we need done from time to time when we have no idea who to call. For us they were not alarmists, but at the same time most of these guys know you may be using their opinions to negotiate a contract. Old house also does its own rehab projects which is nice because they put their own money on the line with fixing all this stuff so they know very well what it costs to repair / upgrade etc.
After the offer was accepted, also used John at AVT. He was professional and straightforward. Think his fee was about $500.
I second first medallion’s point: Unless the place is in shockingly poor condition (needs to be rehabbed) and you need an estimate of the work needed to get a valuation, you may want to have an accepted offer from the owner before you hire an inspector.
Matthew Barnett at Accurate Building Inspectors is also an engineer and knows central Brooklyn brownstone properties like the back of his hand.
I used him 12 years ago and continue to recommend him and I haven’t heard anyone say anything less of his ability or his advice and analysis of turn of the century buildings.
Here is the link to his contact information:
http://www.accuratebuilding.com/about_us/matthew_barnett.html
Thank you everyone–much appreciated! Will keep you posted!