How long does it take? Should buyers attend an inspection? Next steps after the home inspection What to expect at a home inspection As a home buyer, the home inspection is your last chance to uncover defects with the house — and potentially get the seller to pay for them — before sealing the deal.
After the physical inspection, the home inspector may take a couple of days to send the written report Buyers should attend the inspection so they can explore their new home in detail and ask questions during the process. This can give you much more information than the report alone. Some problems can be deal-breakers.
What do home inspectors look for? Here are some ways you can help: Leave keys for instance, for your electrical panel , and label where the inspector can find them Make sure all pilot lights are on for fireplaces and furnaces, even in summer, so the inspector can check the heating and other appliances Tidy your basement.
How to get a better report Inspectors are people, too. Who pays for a home inspection? How much is a home inspection? HomeAdvisor regularly publishes nationwide average costs for home inspections. Will there be follow-up costs? Careful buyers — or ones alerted to potential problems by the inspector — may want to commission further home inspection reports from specialists concerning the possible presence of: Radon Termite infestations Asbestos Lead piping or paint Mold Water damage Other safety issues Speaking of safety issues, lead and asbestos were commonly used in the construction of older homes but are banned from recently built homes.
How long does a home inspection take? The duration of an inspection varies widely, mostly depending on four factors: Home size Number of defects Thoroughness of the inspector The helpfulness of the owner when preparing for the inspection Having said that, expect somewhere between two and four hours unless there are exceptional circumstances. Why not? Few inspectors object. My report lists dozens of defects!
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It is also not a municipal inspection and does not verify local code compliance. It is important to note that no house is perfect. Every home inspection will identify issues with the property and the inspector will communicate the severity of the issues found. The home inspector's goal is to leave their clients with a deeper understanding of their prospective home, so the client can make a sound decision as they continue their home buying process.
The client should be fully aware of any issues, risks, or health concerns that may impact the client's decision. The inspector's role is not to tell the clients if they should buy the house or not, but to help the clients understand the full cost of ownership. If major problems are found, homebuyers may wish to negotiate with the seller to make repairs or cover their costs. In some cases, the homebuyer may be displeased with the service the home inspector provided.
This contingency provides that if a home inspection reveals significant defects, you can back out of your purchase offer , free of penalty, within a specific timeframe.
The potential problems a home can have must be pretty serious if they could allow you to walk away from such a significant contract. In some situations, realtors are also known to include home inspection clauses in contracts, such as those for a newly built residence. In new home construction, inspections generally cover:. Inspectors vary in experience, ability, and thoroughness, but a good inspector should examine certain home components and then produce a report covering their findings.
The typical inspection lasts two to three hours, and you should be present for the inspection to get a firsthand explanation of the inspector's findings and, if necessary, ask questions. Also, any problems the inspector uncovers will make more sense if you see them in person instead of relying solely on the snapshot photos in the report. The inspector should note:. An excellent inspector will even tell you about routine maintenance that should be performed, which can be a great help if you are a first-time homebuyer.
While it is impossible to list everything an inspector could check for, the following home inspection checklist for buyers should give you a general idea of what to expect. The inspector will complete a full inspection of the outside of the structure. This will include climbing into any crawlspaces under the home and using a ladder to reach and inspect the roof and other items. The inspector will check for damaged or missing siding, cracks, and whether the soil is in excessively close contact with the bottom of the house, which can invite wood-destroying insects.
However, the pest inspector yes, you might want to engage one of those too , not the home inspector, will check for actual damage from termites, etc. The inspector will let you know which problems are cosmetic and which could be more serious. If the foundation is not visible, and it usually is not, the inspector will not be able to examine it directly. Still, they can check for secondary evidence of foundation issues, like cracks or settling.
The inspector will let you know whether the grading slopes away from the house as it should. If it doesn't, water could get into the house and cause damage, and you will need to either change the slope of the yard or install a drainage system. The inspector will test the garage door for proper opening and closing, check the garage framing if it is visible, and determine if it is properly ventilated to prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
If the water heater is in the garage, the inspector will make sure it is installed high enough off the ground to minimize the risk of explosion from gasoline fumes mingling with the heater's flame. The inspector will check for areas where roof damage or poor installation could allow water to enter the home, such as loose, missing, or improperly secured shingles and cracked or damaged mastic around vents.
They will also check the condition of the gutters. Home inspectors also do not specifically check for termite damage, mold, asbestos, or water contamination. If you are concerned about these issues, ask your inspector for a heads up if they suspect any of these problems.
The inspector will also complete a thorough inspection of the interior of the home. They will inspect everything from the ceiling to the cabinets under the sink. The home inspector will check all faucets and showers, look for visible leaks and test the water pressure. They will also identify the kind of pipes the house has if any pipes are visible. The inspector may recommend a secondary inspection if the pipes are old to determine if or when they might need to be replaced and how much the work would cost.
The inspector will also identify the location of the home's main water shutoff valve. The inspector will identify the kind of wiring the home has, test all the outlets, and make sure there are functional ground fault circuit interrupters which can protect you from electrocution, electric shock, and electrical burns installed in areas like the bathrooms, kitchen, garage and outdoors. They will also check your electrical panel for any safety issues and check your electrical outlets to ensure they do not present a fire hazard.
The inspector will look at your HVAC system to estimate the age of the furnace and air conditioner, determine if they function properly, and recommend repairs or maintenance. An inspector can also give you an idea of the age of the home's ducting, whether it might have leaks, if your home has sufficient insulation to minimize your energy bills and whether there is any asbestos insulation.
The home inspector will identify the age of the heater and determine if it is properly installed and secured.
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