Condominiums
Condo Inspection
In a condo you own the inside and share the rest. We inspect what is yours, and report what we can see of what is not, because the common elements are what turn into assessments.
What it is
You are buying the inside, and a share of everything else
A condominium splits responsibility in two. Inside your unit is yours. The roof, the structure, the exterior walls and usually the grounds belong to the association. A condo inspection concentrates on what you own and control, then reports on the common elements we can see, because those drive your dues and your special assessments.
That second half matters more than people expect. A unit can be in good order while the building it sits in is heading for a major assessment. Knowing that before you close changes what the purchase is actually worth.
Inside the unit
- Electrical panel or subpanel, receptacles, switches and visible wiring
- Plumbing fixtures, supply and drainage, and the water heater
- Heating and cooling equipment serving the unit, including any through wall or mini split system
- Windows, doors, balcony or patio access and interior finishes
- Appliances included in the sale
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Evidence of past or present moisture, which in stacked units often comes from above
Common elements we report on
- Roof and exterior cladding where they can be viewed
- Entry areas, stairs, walkways and railings
- Visible structural and drainage conditions
- Shared mechanical spaces where access is permitted
Why it is different
What makes a condo inspection its own thing
Access is the first difference. Roof hatches, mechanical rooms and crawl spaces are often controlled by the association, and that has to be arranged in advance rather than on the morning.
Shared systems are the second. Water heaters, HVAC and plumbing stacks may be individual, shared, or some of both, and the documents do not always make that obvious. Where a system is shared, a failure is not just your repair and not just your schedule.
The third is that the most useful information about a condo is not always in the building. Read the association documents alongside the inspection report: reserve balances, recent and planned assessments, and minutes discussing roofing, siding, plumbing or elevator work. We will tell you what we saw; the documents tell you what the association already knows about.
Schedule your inspection
Online booking, or call the office for your market and talk to a person.
See it in practice
Common questions
Condo questions
Does a condo inspection cost less than a house inspection?
It is usually a smaller scope because you are not inspecting an entire roof, foundation and yard. Call us with the unit size and building and we will quote it properly rather than guess here.
Do I need to arrange access to anything in advance?
Often yes. Mechanical rooms, roof access and crawl spaces are commonly controlled by the association or the management company. Tell us when you book and we will tell you what to request so the day is not wasted.
Should I still inspect if the building is brand new?
Yes. New buildings have the same workmanship issues as new houses, and in a stacked building a defect in one unit becomes a problem in another. See our new construction inspection page.
Will you inspect the roof of the building?
We report on what can be safely viewed. On a low rise building that is often a good look. On a mid or high rise it may be limited to what is visible from the ground or from permitted access points, and the report will say plainly what was and was not inspected.
What about mold or moisture between units?
Water in a stacked building frequently originates above the unit being inspected. We document what we find and where it points. If testing is warranted we offer mold testing as a separate service.
Can you inspect a townhome instead?
Yes, and a townhome usually sits closer to a standard house inspection because you typically own the structure and roof over your own unit. Tell us which it is when you book.
Ready to schedule?
Schedule online in a couple of minutes, or call and we will talk it through first.