About Us

About BuildFax

BuildFax is a product of BUILDERadius, Inc. We.ve been working to improve communication between building departments, contractors and the public since 1999.

About BUILDERadius, Inc.

Based in Asheville, BUILDERadius, Inc. is a North Carolina .C. corporation that was formed in January 1999 with the specific aim of developing new technology to improve the communication between local building authorities and the citizens they serve. This has included cutting-edge building department software and an online contractor and homeowner interface used by building departments around the country.

In 2006, BUILDERadius launched BuildFax, a data services division specializing in the building industry. In brief, BuildFax compiles building permit and inspection data and individual contractor records from cities and counties across the US into a single searchable database that includes many unique variables that are unavailable from any other single source provider. Clients can access and receive this data in a variety of formats, based on their specific needs.

How to use your BuildFax Property History Report

Congratulations! You have just completed a very important step in the purchasing and/or selling process. This report will help you make a more informed decision. You may be also saying to yourself "Great, I've got this BuildFax report, now what?" Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

If you are buying:

  1. Check your report against a visual inspection of the property.
  2. Does there appear to be remodeling done, but no matching permit listed on your report?
    • Ask the current owner for an explanation.
    • Contact the local building department to verify that either a permit was not needed orthat a permit was issued and just not recorded
    • Request that your home inspector take a closer look at the work

If you are selling:

  1. Check your report against a visual inspection of the property. Verify that the contractors you hired did in fact obtain the proper permits and inspections.
  2. If your BuildFax Property History Report does not indicate that permits were issued, check with your contractor and request copies of the permits. You should also contact your local building department.
  3. If you performed work yourself, or hired a contractor who did not obtain permits you should be prepared with an explanation (i.e. documentation proving permits were not required.)

But why does all this matter?

For most of us, buying a home is the single largest investment we will ever make. When everything goes right it can be a great experience but, if problems arise, it can be devastating.

When shopping for a new home, consumers generally investigate each property they are considering, but many people fail to check the remodeling and construction permit and inspection history and this can be a big mistake. In order to save themselves time and money, homeowners and contractors sometimes do remodeling or other construction work on a house without getting the proper permits and inspections. Others are simply unaware that the work they are doing impacts the safety of the structure and, therefore, must be permitted and inspected. This non-permitted, uninspected work may be unsafe and can result in several big problems for the homeowner (including you, if you buy the property) down the road.

Your Home is a Major Investment

The Federal Housing Finance Board recently reported that, in October 2004, the average purchase price of a single-family home exceeded $264,000. For under $10, a BuildFax Property History Report can help you avoid buying a money pit that may end up needing thousands of dollars worth of unexpected structural repairs.

Make a More Informed Offer

When you tour a home, work that was completed without permits and inspections probably won't be obvious. A BuildFax Property History Report can reveal hidden issues that you can use to negotiate a lower price - or you may decide to avoid the property altogether.

Uncover Problems That Could Stop the Sale

When you try to purchase a property that includes unpermitted remodeling or other construction work, you may face an unexpectedly low property appraisal value, lenders who are reluctant to issue a mortgage for the property, insurance representatives who are unwilling or even unable to insure the structure, and other costly delays that can even put a stop to the closing. Information provided in a BuildFax Property History Report can help you avoid these kinds of surprises that are likely to be trouble.

Home Inspections Don't Catch Everything

Even the most exhaustive home inspection won't uncover everything and professional home inspectors frequently advise homebuyers to look up a property's remodeling and construction history before buying. Getting a BuildFax Property History Report in addition to a Certified Home Inspection is a great way to cover all your bases.

Avoid Complications When You Are Ready to Remodel

If non-permitted, uninspected work exists in the home you buy, you could face unexpected complications and expenses when you later decide to remodel. For instance, you may have to have the original work inspected and brought up to code before you can start your intended project. This can be both time consuming and costly. Get a BuildFax Property History Report so that someone else's shortcut doesn't become your roadblock.

Safety First!

The permit and inspection process is designed to ensure that remodeling and other construction work meets the recognized safety and durability specifications required by your local building codes. Work done without the proper permits and inspections may be unsafe, and buying a property with this kind of "skeleton in the closet" puts your family members at risk. Don't just assume that your new home will be safe- check it out with a BuildFax Property History Report.