Can you tell the difference between an abandoned termite trail and an active one? Do you know what the dusty white film on the surface of a masonry wall means? What about mildew or moss growing on the outside of your foundation wall — what do you suppose causes that? Why does one spot in your kitchen floor squeak when you walk on it?

INSPECTING YOUR OWN PROPERTY

Begin your project planning by taking an inventory of your property. Inspect everything, top to toe, very carefully. Make a list of all of the unusual stuff you find. The mortar between the bricks may be soft and crumbly. The boxing around your roof may show signs of rot. There may be stains in your bedroom ceiling that indicate you’ve got a roof leak. The retaining wall in the garden may not be perfectly plumb any more.

There are home inspection manuals on the market that will help you. Do the inspection twice. You’ll find lots of things the second time around that you missed the first time.

USING A PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTOR

If your inspection skills are not strong, engage a professional property inspector. You can find a good inspector by contacting other professionals who use inspectors all the time. Try calling property insurance claims adjusters, appraisers, realtors, and bankers that make home improvement loans.

THE REPORT

Once you’ve found a good inspector, ask for a report that will give you an assessment of the condition of every detail of your house, a suggestion about how to repair any damages, and a price for that suggested repair.

OMISSIONS

Watch out for the disclaimers in the inspector’s contract form. Many inspectors won’t be responsible for inspecting anything that’s not easily observed. They won’t move furniture, won’t climb up onto the roof, and won’t crawl under your home to inspect the floor framing. Don’t accept this. Either negotiate a complete inspection, or find someone else who will do a thorough job.

REVIEW THE FINDINGS

When you get the report, review it with the inspector as you walk around the property. Be sure you understand it before you pay for it. If you don’t, you’ll have wasted your money.

INCLUDE REPAIRS IN YOUR REMODELING PROJECT

The inspections report will be the foundation (so to speak) of your renovation plan. If you do nothing else, you will want to make the repairs this report proposes. Be sure you have adequate information in the finished report to begin figuring out your costs.

MORE INFORMATION

You’ll find lots more information about the home remodeling process in Managing a Renovation: Staying in Charge and Out of Trouble, our friendly and comprehensive homeowner’s guide to remodeling project management. Download the table of contents and a sample chapter, or go to the order form to purchase it.

We offer ready-to-use construction forms, including a complete remodeling contract, in our Bookstore, as well. Have a look.

And, you may want to look at our list of More Resources for some great design ideas.

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