Frequently Asked Questions
Here we have put some answers to commonly asked questions about home inspections and what you should expect when you get a home inspection. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.
WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION?A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from roof to foundation. An inspector typically spends between two to three hours evaluating a home, and may recommend further evaluation if problems or symptoms are discovered.
One of the best ways to understand about a home's condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. They will determine the components that are not performing properly as well as items that are beyond their useful life or are unsafe. They will also identify areas where repairs may be needed or where there may have been problems in the past. Inspections are intended to provide the client with a better understanding of property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection.
WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE?A standard home inspection summarizes findings from a visual inspection of the condition of the subject homes heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems; roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; foundation, basement, and the visible structures of the home.
WHY DO I NEED A HOME INSPECTION?For many people, their home will be the greatest investment they ever make. The decision to purchase a home is made with many factors in mind: Schools, proximity to work place, neighborhood, size and style of home etc. The average person is unable to determine on their own the existence of unknown problems that may exist in the home. These problems can cost a significant amount of money that the buyer maybe unprepared to spend. A professional home inspector is trained to observe these potential problems and report them so the buyer can make a more educated decision in the purchase of the home. This type of inspection is your best protection against buying a home needing repairs which you are unable to afford.
WHAT WILL IT COST?Inspection fees for a typical single family home vary by size and features of the property, and age of the home. Additionally, services such as septic inspections and radon testing may be warranted depending upon the individual property.
CAN I DO IT MYSELF?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. A professional home inspector has the experience, depth of knowledge and training to make an unbiased and informed report of the condition of a property. An inspector is familiar with the many elements of home construction, their proper installation and maintenance. An inspector understands how the home's systems and components are intended to function together, as well as how and why they fail and knows what to look for and is uniquely suited to interpret what their findings reveal about the condition of the property.
Most buyers find it difficult to remain objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may affect their judgment. For the most accurate information about the condition of a home, always obtain an impartial third-party opinion by an expert in the field of home inspection.
No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies compliance to local codes and standards. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house. A home inspection describes the physical condition of a property and indicates what may need repair or replacement.
WHAT IS THE HOME INSPECTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR?
Any professional inspection firm will have an agreement for you to read and sign. This agreement will spell out the company's capabilities and their limitations. Do not assume you know what the inspector can do for you based on what you hope or want him to do for you. Their are limitations. Inspectors are there to limit your risk in the purchase of a home However, they cannot eliminate that risk. Keep in mind that the inspection is limited to what can be visually observed at the time of the inspection. Generally, their function is to observe and evaluate the major systems of the home and report to you the conditions they observe that exist on the day of the inspection. When problems are found the inspector will either offer recommendations of how to repair or recommend you get further evaluation by someone who specializes in that field. An inspector cannot predict the condition of a system five years from now, or even what condition it will be in the next day. To put it simply, anything that breaks was working the day before it broke; a furnace working the day of the inspection may develop a problem between then and the date you move in . There are also limitations to the depth of evaluation a home inspector can perform. There are components to systems that are not visible without dismantling the system. Home inspectors do not perform this kind of testing. The inspector can evaluate only what is visible.
WHAT WILL THE INSPECTIONS COVER?
There are generally over 200 items observed throughout an inspection, it would be too lengthy to try to mention them all. Below is a summary version of what is inspected.
Interior:
foundations, water seepage into basements, framing, crawl spaces (when safely accessible), electrical, heating and air conditioning, plumbing (water, waste and water heating), visible well equipment, laundry, kitchens/baths, interior surfaces (doors, walls, ceilings, etc.), fireplaces, attic framing including ventilation and insulation.
siding and trim, roof (We will walk on most roofs depending on slope height and weather.), gutters/leader, windows/skylights/doors, chimneys/flashing, steps and walks, decks, patios, and porches, retaining walls, vegetation, driveways/garages, grade.
WHAT TYPE OF REPORT SHOULD I EXPECT?
The report will include the findings of what condition the major systems of the home were found in. Reports themselves can vary. Using our automated software combined with field computer and printer we can generate your report promptly on-site. The report is organized with an inspection check list, a summary report of deficiencies found, along with digital pictures to support the recommendations.
WHEN DO I CALL IN THE HOME INSPECTOR?
Before you sign the contract or purchase agreement, make your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms to which both the buyer and seller are obligated. Contact a home inspector immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Home inspectors are aware of the time constraints involved in purchase agreements and most are available to conduct the required inspection within a few days.
DO I HAVE TO BE THERE?
While it is not necessary for you to be present, it is always recommended that you make time to join the inspector for their visit. This allows you to observe the inspector, ask questions as you learn about the condition of the home, how its systems work, and how to maintain them. After you have seen the property with the inspector, you will find the written report easier to understand.
WHAT IF THE REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS?
No house is perfect. When the inspector identifies problems, it does not indicate you should not buy the house. His findings serve to educate you in advance of the purchase about the condition of the property. A seller may adjust the purchase price or contract terms if major problems are discovered during an inspection. If your budget is tight, or if you do not want to be involved in future repair work, this information will be extremely valuable.
IF THE HOUSE PROVES TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION, DID I REALLY NEED AN INSPECTION?
Yes. Now you can complete your home purchase with confidence about the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. From the inspection, you will have learned many things about your new home, and will want to keep that information for future reference.
DO I NEED A HOUSE INSPECTION WHEN MY BANK IS HAVING THE HOUSE APPRAISED?
Yes! A house appraisal is an independent evaluation of the current market value of a house or property. In general, the purpose of an appraisal is to set the current value of a house so that a lender may determine how much it can loan to the buyer. The appraiser looks at similar properties in the area and the prices at which they were sold to set the value of the house.
A house inspector conducts a thorough evaluation of the house's major systems and structural integrity. Whereas the appraiser is typically working for the bank, the house inspector is working for you. The house inspector identifies items that need replacement or repair prior to closing, which can save you thousands of dollars.
U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) requires buyers sign a "Consumer Notice" advising them to get a house inspection in addition to a house appraisal before purchasing a house with a FHA mortgage. Additionally, HUD now allows home-buyers to include the costs of appraisal and inspection in their FHA mortgage.
