Condo and co-op inspections in NYC

Why inspect an apartment?

In a co-op or condo, you usually own and repair what's inside your walls: the electrical from the panel onward, plumbing fixtures and branch lines, the HVAC unit serving your apartment, windows in many buildings, appliances and finishes. Problems there are yours from day one.

An inspection also gives you a look at the building you're buying into. Water stains in the hallway ceiling, a tired boiler room, or a deteriorating façade can all point toward assessments down the line. Read those findings alongside the offering plan, financials and board minutes your attorney collects.

What's different about NYC apartments

• Through-wall and window AC sleeves that leak into the wall below.
• Radiators and riser pipes: valves, leaks, and the condensation and mold that often come with them.
• Electrical panels that were never upgraded when the kitchen was renovated.
• Bathroom renovations with failing shower pans or no exhaust fan, which leads to hidden water damage and mold.
• Washer/dryer hookups the building may not allow, and venting that doesn't meet code.
• Prior leaks from upstairs, which thermal imaging is very good at finding.

Building access

Many buildings ask for a certificate of insurance or advance notice before a contractor visits. We can provide a COI naming the building and managing agent, so tell us when you book.

What we inspect

• Unit electrical panel and outlets
• Plumbing fixtures, valves and visible pipes
• Water heater, if in-unit
• Heating: radiators, fan coils or heat pumps
• Air conditioning sleeves and units
• Windows, doors and locks
• Floors, walls and ceilings, for prior leaks
• Kitchen appliances
• Bathroom exhaust and moisture
• Washer/dryer connections and venting
• Smoke and CO detectors
• Visible common areas and building conditions

Questions