Having an inspection performed by a qualified professional is a valuable part of the buying and selling process.

Finding your recreational getaway, the place where you plan to escape to with the family, can ironically be a high-stress purchasing decision. Hiring an inspector can help remove that stress by smoothing the buying process and ensuring that you can relax in your new cottage sooner. Likewise, if you’re selling, it’s good to know if there are any significant problems that could drive potential buyers away.

While most buildings go through lengthy permitting processes as they are built, this is not always the case. When buying a cottage, you should be aware that it may not have ever gone through a proper initial building inspection. In remote locations, especially, a cottage could be built outside of any town, city or municipal authorities, or built in an area where no municipality has authority. In these cases, the risk to the buyer is much higher, as the cottage may not meet standard building codes. In an instance like this, it is even more important to have your cottage inspected by a professional.

Having an inspection performed may pose some initial challenges. The inspection can be quite expensive, involving additional costs for the inspector’s extra travel time and expenses. However, a good inspector will pay for themselves during the first few minutes on your property. It can also be difficult to find someone willing to travel significant distances through rural areas; this should not deter you from having a professional inspection performed anyway. Ask your realtor, neighbours or other people from the area if they have used an inspector and, if so, whether they were happy with the service. The key at this stage is to make sure the inspectors referred are qualified.

To read the full story, pick up the January issue of Cottage magazine at your local newsstand.To get more great articles like this one, subscribe now.