Best Advertisement Home Inspection
We have had other inspections in the past and we were not very impressed with the inspector we hired and he only found minor problems. We ended up not buying the home because it did not appraise for the asking price. After we got our offer accepted on the second home we found, we decided not to use one of the inspectors on the list we were given and we did some research online
extremely punctual, thorough, professional, patient, detailed, polite, and honest. John personally walked me through, and talked through every single item in their detailed inspection report. This included the various solutions to items found.
The house we were looking at was being sold “as is” so a good inspector was very important to us as we knew the house would need work.
including every square inch of the attic and roof. He was very thorough finding even the tiniest of details. Afterwards he gave us a printed report
hired him to inspect the renovated historic home we recently purchased, and his thorough inspection and detailed report gave us the peace of mind we needed prior to buying a house with many older features as well as modern upgrades
Consumers’ Guide to Home Inspections
Advice for people hiring a home inspector:
This article gives tips on getting the most from a licensed professional ASHI (or other association) home inspection, who attends, what services to order, handling conflicts of interest, real estate agent attendance, property owner attendance, water and septic testing, termite reports, lead paint, radon, other advice for home buyers about attending the home inspection and choosing tests and services, and some typical fees.
What is Included in a Professional Home Inspection
The Home Inspection: the inspector will examine (essentially visually) the physical condition of the building and its mechanical systems and at other conditions that may affect the building (such as site drainage) and will provide a written report.
A Written Home Inspection Report: There is too much information, some of it possibly involving significant cost or important safety findings, for any professional to provide an “oral only” home inspection. The inspection findings must be provided in writing. We use the Home Reference Book which is delivered at the end of the inspection. Other inspectors may provide a typed narrative report or an annotated “checklist” report. Any report form can be acceptable provided it is clear, thorough, and sufficiently detailed.
Watch out: A so called home inspection “report” which is a simple “ok” or “not ok” checklist, or a sort of “inventory” (Asphalt shingle roof, vinyl siding, concrete block foundation) is really just an “inventory” of building material types. As an inspection for costly or dangerous defects such a report is totally inadequate and does not meet the standards of practice for the profession.
All home inspection findings will be written in your report. What the inspector tells you orally at the inspection must agree exactly with what’s written in your report, and vice versa. If you receive an oral warning of something costly or unsafe, that information should appear clearly in the written report too.
Ancillary tests which are not required by the home inspection standards of practice may nonetheless be offered by your inspector, such as water or septic testing, or a termite or radon inspection or test. These are discussed below.
Time and Attention at the Property: You should accompany the inspector (me) and look, listen, and ask questions. Be prepared to spend 3-4 hours at the property. Be sure your real estate agent knows how long you expect to be at the property and that they let the property owners know as well.
The time required to inspect a building is not fixed. But if I were inspecting an easy one-family house in good condition, and if I were working alone, with no one to ask questions or chat with, it would still take me at least 2 1/2 hours simply to direct my attention to every item and system on a building that needs my consideration.
If I allow for the presence of my client who will have questions or who needs to hear explanations, the process is easily 3 hours or longer for a detailed, thorough, inspection.
The time required to inspect properly depends not only on building size but on the age and complexity of the structure and its mechanical systems as well as the ease or difficulty of access to various systems and components. But if your inspector is scheduling inspections at odd times like “11:15 to 12:10” or if the inspector is spending an hour and a half at a property, unless it’s a very small and simple structure, you might wonder what shortcuts are being taken.
A home inspection fee: Fees for the inspection and any other services are usually payable at the site, usually by personal check. An invoice will be provided. Readers should be sure to see HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY for PROFESSIONAL SERVICES? where we explain the costs of hiring a too-cheap home inspector or any other service.
Follow-up consulting: In our professional home inspection or environmental inspection and testing practice, there is no fee for follow-up questions in clarification of the inspection report. In fact we like you to call to ask questions – it increases the value of our service, and the feedback makes us better at our job. Some inspectors feel differently and may discourage follow-up conversations or email. An inspector who knows your property and who is committed to protecting your interest should be willing to discuss the report or even future problems that may come up.
Home Inspections: A Checklist for Buyer Confidence
A home inspection is an important part of the homebuying process. In some states, sellers do their own home inspection, typically with a professional home inspector that they hire, and then buyers can do an optional inspection once a home is under contract. In other places, the seller is only responsible to provide disclosures. Someone on the buyer’s team arranges the inspection with a professional inspector of their choice, with the goal of resolving all issues before closing.
A home inspection checklist has a lot in common with a disclosures checklist, but not everything. That’s why even in states where it’s not mandatory, sellers often choose to get their own inspection. That way they know before beginning to show their house what’s damaged or in disrepair, and they can take any necessary steps to fix the issues before they derail a sale.
The professional home inspector
Home inspectors complete coursework of between 40 and 140 hours, depending on the state. They often get hands-on training from an accredited program. Individuals then are required to pass an exam and complete an application. Most states also require home inspectors to be licensed.
Getting a home inspection as a seller
As a seller, you are not always required to do a home inspection prior to putting your house on the market. The rules vary according to where you are. However, if you decide to have an inspection, it makes sense to hire a professional inspector instead of trying to do your own.
Why do a home inspection as a seller?
If a home inspection is not required in your area, the reason to still do it is twofold: First, you’ll then know ahead of time the condition of systems and structural components in your home. There won’t be any surprises when the buyer’s home inspection arrives.
What To Expect During A Home Inspection
When you buy a home, it can feel like the list of things to do is never-ending. A home inspection is one of the many important things that will be at the top of your to-do list.
While you’ve seen the house you’re about to buy, a home inspection brings in a neutral third party to give you a professional assessment of certain things in the home. It can help you identify issues you may have missed and avoid possible surprises in the future. Above all, it can help you become a more informed home buyer.
What Is A Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a visual inspection of a property. It’s kind of like an annual check-up at the doctor. It’s used to make sure everything is working properly and it can be useful to spot things that might eventually become a problem. A home inspector looks at a number of different items in a home and gives a professional opinion on the status.
A home inspector’s report should highlight whether there are any problems that were visible, repairs that are needed, and potential risks that the inspector wasn’t able to see.
What Do Home Inspectors Look For?
During a home inspection the inspector will look at areas that are easily accessible and able to be inspected visually. That includes the roof, basement, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, HVAC system, plumbing, and electrical system. A home inspection may also include other elements, so ask exactly what will be included in the home inspection.
A BUYER’S GUIDE TO HOME INSPECTION
The home inspection isn’t a step homebuyers should skip. Foregoing the home inspection could cost buyers lots of money later. You wouldn’t want to buy a $300,000 house and later discover a huge defect that will cost thousands of dollars to repair. A home inspection is like the doctor’s checkup you get covering major systems and diagnosing problems. Many states require sellers to provide buyers with property condition disclosure forms, but it’s a good idea to hire an independent home inspector.
HOME INSPECTION BASICS
A home inspection is a detailed report prepared by a home inspector about the condition of home systems, deterioration, and recommendations. The inspection could take between 2 and 5 hours and may cost between $250 and $500. Many buyers attend home inspections so they can better understand the issues, ask questions, and learn more about the house and its major systems.
THE WHY OF HOME INSPECTIONS
Buyers often order home inspections to ensure the major systems are in good condition and that there are no serious, expensive defects. Sellers might order a pre-listing inspection to identify major problems that need to be fixed before the house is put on the market. Common in most sales contracts, a home inspection contingency makes a sales conditional upon the outcome of the home inspection report. A home inspection is also a good way to identify repairs to request and to learn about the elements and systems of a house.
ELEMENTS OF A HOME INSPECTION
The home inspector will examine major elements of a house, ensuring proper operation of systems, observing the condition, and noting damage. A typical home inspection report will cover:
The exterior: Roof, driveway, walkways, steps, doors, decks, and siding among other elements.
The structure: Foundation and framing. The inspector determines whether the foundation and framing are sound and the building skeleton can withstand the elements.
The interior: Windows and doors; ceilings, walls, and floors; attic and basement.
Plumbing and electrical systems:
Water supply, heating, and drainage
Service entrance wires, breakers and fuses, and control panels
Heating, cooling, and ventilation/insulation
WHAT’S NOT COVERED?
Home inspectors won’t necessarily consider all possible issues because their expertise is in general home condition and major systems. Specialists may be needed for:
Pests
Rodents
Lead
Mold
Radon
Formaldehyde
Asbestos