Home Inspections are Important

Building codes continually evolve to enhance the safety and energy efficiency of residences. Nevertheless, homes built in the past few decades pose significant challenges for homeowners. These challenges often remain concealed and can incur both substantial expenses and harm to your family's well-being, as exemplified by issues like mold infestations. As a result, it is important to conduct a thorough home inspection before committing to any investment.

The provided image showcases a residence in Prince Rupert that was constructed within the last 30 to 50 years. While it might appear satisfactory at first glance, underlying the visible exterior is a foundation built using inappropriate materials like dirt, stumps, and sand. This foundation lacks proper water drainage, foundation footings, and foundation walls. Such outdated construction methods, which are now considered unacceptable, carry significant risks. Thus, when contemplating a home investment, it is vital to be cognizant of potential concealed challenges.

Based on a study focused on Northern BC, including Prince Rupert, the housing inventory in this region tends to be older in comparison to other communities. Census data revealed that more than three-quarters (76.3%) of the housing inventory in Prince Rupert was a minimum of 35 years old, constructed in or before 1980, with over a third of homes exceeding 50 years in age. Only a small fraction, constituting less than 2% of the housing inventory, was built since 2001. Given the age of these homes, 15% of the analyzed properties necessitated "major repair." However, the percentage of households dwelling in substandard housing, according to the National Occupancy Standards, was below the average for British Columbia.