What Is A Home Inspector?

A home inspection is a professional, complete visual examination of the all the systems and physical structural elements of a home.

The home inspector is hired to identify existing or potential problems that would affect a purchasers buying decision.

Why Do I Need A Home Inspection?

A home is one of the largest purchases of a persons life most people will ever make.

It Is important to find out as much as possible about the home you are under contract on before you sign your life away and own it (or in the most cases the bank does).

It is important to avoid costly surprise repairs and problems with your new home. Have you ever seen the movie Money Pit with Tom Hanks and Shelly Long? Case and point.

The inspector will also advise you of what maintenance is required to keep your home in top condition. The inspector will also give you a clear picture of the many systems and structural elements that make up the property.

One of the important things a seller can do is to have a home inspection to point out any potential problems that might be uncovered later by the buyers inspector. Finding these issues early will allow you to fix / address them before listing your home.

The more unknowns a house has, the more skeptical a buyer will be. A skeptical buyer equals 1. No Offers 2. Decreased Purchase Price 3. The home being taken off the market and then the deal falls apart.

What Does A Home Inspection Include?

The 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, roof, foundation, attic and visible insulation, walls, doors, windows and all visible structures.

 

Do I Need To Be There For A Home Inspection?

No, you aren’t required to be there for the inspection. But we highly recommend that you be present. It’s a valuable learning experience for most people and will help you get the most benefit from the inspection. By following the inspector 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 Does A Home Inspection Take?

The time will vary depending on both the size and condition of the home. For most homes, 3 hours is pretty typical. But for larger homes, or homes in poor condition, it may take longer.

Does A New Construction Home Need An Inspection?

Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. We can spot potential problems early, while they are still easy to correct. It’s especially valuable to arrange an inspection before the interior walls are finished. 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?

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. We’ve inspected thousands of homes. We are not only familiar with all the systems of a home, and how they work and need to be maintained, but we also know what to look for to tell us that they are getting ready to fail. 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?

Our report will tell you the condition of the house, including needed repairs and expenses. 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. Or 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 The Inspector Fix The Problems During The Inspection?

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 condition of the home.

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