Why do you need a Home Inspection?

The purchase of a home is probably the largest single investment you will ever make.  It’s a big decision and you want to be an informed and educated consumer making a smart decision.  Whether you are buying a newly constructed or existing house, you want to know what to expect.

An experienced professional home inspector can guide you by providing a report, identifying any significant defects or safety issues, as well as direction on repairs and maintenance.

Many times an inspection can save a buyer hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs!

Most consumers are not able to judge the professional qualifications and experience of a home inspector and can be too easily impressed by a good sales pitch or contrived testimonials.

 

The home inspector's best training doesn't come from a book; it comes from field experience.  Neither warranties nor insurance policies can take the place of the knowledge and experience gained from such hands-on education and that's what makes a truly qualified home inspector.

 

A qualified home inspector is a generalist who knows how a home's many systems and components work together and how they stand the test of time.

 

An inspector involved in new home construction should also be CABO or IRC (building code) certified.

Existing or Older Homes

The majority of home inspections performed are requested by buyers.  Check your contract to see what provisions there are for having a home inspection and the length of time to get it done. 

Sellers may also want to have their home inspected before putting it on the market.  Many times there are defects or problems the homeowner is unaware of which could interfere with the sales transaction.  Even if a homeowner is not planning to sell their house, it would be a good investment to hire a home inspector to evaluate its condition.

New Home Inspections

Many new home builders and their agents will try to convince you that you don’t need a home inspection because it has been inspected by the county or municipal inspectors and you will be getting a home warranty.  The truth is, that because of the workloads, most municipal inspectors and, in many cases, the builders themselves do not have the time to provide extended thorough inspections.

State and municipal codes establish minimum standards for which to build a house.  New construction should be evaluated not only for building code compliance but also for function, safety and proper installation of the many components.

It is also very important to have an inspection clause in your contract which doesn’t restrict your choice to hire a qualified home inspector!

Types of New Home Inspections

Foundation:  A visual inspection of soil conditions, footings, foundation walls, slabs, drainage systems and reinforcing steel.

 

Framing: It is very important to have the framing structure inspected prior to the installation of the drywall.  This is the only time to evaluate the proper installation of the framing components and to determine that the structural loads are transferred properly to the foundation or slab. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC components which are normally hidden behind drywall can also be evaluated at this time.

 

Final Inspection: A complete visual inspection, evaluation and report on the completed house which also includes valuable maintenance tips.  Ideally it would be best to have the house totally completed with all utilities turned on for this inspection.  

Warranty Inspections

Most builders provide a one year warranty period for your house in which they will repair known defects.  It makes good sense to have an inspection before this time is up to evaluate the condition and performance of the house and its components.  Homeowners are usually aware of any cosmetic defects but many times defects are present that most homeowners aren’t aware of.  It is especially important to have a warranty inspection if you didn’t have an inspection during the construction process.  Getting the builder to fix any problems under the warranty could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in expensive repairs. 

Consulting

Many times homeowners need an inspection or an expert opinion on specific areas or problems. This could include:

·        evaluation of decks

·        remodeling projects

·        basement finishing

·        leaks or moisture problems

·        any areas of concern regarding your house

Safety and Maintenance Evaluations

This evaluation inspection helps you make a list of items which require attention or repair for the proper performance and safety of your home.