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What is a Home Inspection? What is a Home Inspection? Back to top A home inspection is a professional, limited visual examination of the systems and accessible structural elements of a home. Our emphasis is on identifying the current conditions of the structure and systems. Why do I need a Home Inspection? Back to top A home is the largest purchase most people will ever make. It only makes sense to find out as much as you can about the house you are interested in before you buy. That way you can reduce the risk of unknown repairs and problems with your new home. A professional inspection will give you a clear picture of the many systems and structural elements that make up the property. If you are selling your home, a listing inspection will point out any potential problems that might be uncovered later by the buyers' inspector. Finding them early will allow you to address them before listing your home, making for a faster and smoother sale. What does a Home Inspection include? Back to top Our standard inspection report covers all the major systems and structural elements of the house. This includes the condition of the homes' heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing and electrical systems, water heater, roof, foundation, structure, attic and visible insulation, walls, doors, windows, range, oven, and built-in dishwasher. Do I need to be there during the Inspection? Back to top No, you aren't required to be there for the inspection. But we highly recommend that you be present or at least come at the end of the inspection for a summary of the findings. It's a valuable learning experience for most people and will help you get the most benefit from the inspection. If you choose to attend the inspection, you can ask questions directly and the inspector can explain maintenance tips for specific areas. We feel you'll be able to best understand the finished report and get the most benefit from it by having been there during the inspection. How long will the Inspection take? Back to top The time will vary depending on both the size and condition of the home. For most homes up to about 2500 square feet, 3-4 hours is pretty typical. But for larger homes, or homes in poor condition, it will take longer. Does a newly constructed home need an Inspection? Back to top Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. We can spot potential problems early while they are still easy to correct. As building professionals, we may find problem areas where the builder has taken shortcuts or not done good work. Why can't I do the Inspection myself? Back to top Chances are that even if you are very familiar with home construction, you still don't have the knowledge, training, and experience of a professional Home Inspector. I have inspected over 6000 homes in the past 25 years. I am familiar with all the systems of a home, and how they work and need to be maintained. I also know how to to determine if a system or component is nearing the end of its useful life. But beyond the technical expertise and experience a professional inspector brings, it is important to remember that the inspector remains an impartial third party. If you are involved in buying or selling a house, it's impossible for you to remain completely unemotional about the house, and this may cloud your judgment. The professional inspector will provide an objective outside reporting of the facts. What if the Inspection uncovers problems? Back to top Our report will tell you the current condition of the house. No house is going to be perfect. It is up to you to decide how any problems the inspection uncovers might affect your decision to purchase. If major problems are discovered, you may want to try negotiating with the seller to have them repaired before closing the deal. Perhaps the seller will lower the price or offer more favorable contract terms. In the end, the decision rests with you. But knowing about potential problems before you buy gives you the power to negotiate and make the best decisions. Will you fix the problems you find during the Inspection? Back to top No. The code of ethics of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) prohibits its members from doing repair work on properties they inspect. This assures that there will never be any conflict of interest by the inspector. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective third-party report on the current condition of the home. |