Before you buy a house, get it inspected by a certified home inspector. Yes, we hear you: “Buying a property is already costly! Why would I pay hundreds more if I didn’t have to?” Why do a house inspection and is it worth the money?
TAKEAWAYS
It helps purchasers to learn about big and small faults with a house before acquiring it.
Many lenders won’t finance a home without one.
Mold or defective wiring that might cause a major fire can be discovered during a home inspection.
After a house inspection, most buyers have a seven-day opportunity to back out.
Buying a house requires a comprehensive assessment.
Home inspectors check at electricity, plumbing, roofing, HVAC, and foundations, among other things.
The Home Inspection Risk
A home inspection allows a buyer to detect serious flaws with a house before closing. A house inspection is crucial because it may be utilized as a contract contingency. If a property inspection shows major problems, you can withdraw your purchase offer without penalty within a certain deadline. If you can walk away from such a large deal, the faults with the house must be severe.
Realtors have been known to add house inspection provisions in contracts for newly built homes. New house inspections often cover:
Checking foundations before pouring concrete (once poured, very little can be changed).
Checking the structure and mechanics before drywalling.
Inspection: The completed home is inspected thoroughly.
Inspecting a House
Inspectors differ in experience, talent, and thoroughness, but a qualified inspector should check specific home components and then create a report. The inspection typically lasts two to three hours, and you should be there to hear the inspector’s findings and, if required, ask questions. The inspector’s findings will also make more sense if you see them in person rather than relying simply on the report’s snapshot photographs.
NOTES FOR INSPECTORS
- Safety issues, severe defects, or minor defects
- When to replace vs. repair or service
- Items that are suitable for now but need to be watched
- If you are a first-time purchaser, a competent inspection will even warn you about basic upkeep.
However, the following house inspection checklist for purchasers should give you a broad sense of what to expect.
EXTERIOR
The inspector will check the structure from the outside. This includes crawlspace inspections and utilizing a ladder to check the roof and other objects.
Damaged or missing siding, fissures, and excessive soil contact with the bottom of the house might encourage wood-destroying insects. However, it is the pest inspector, not the house inspector, who will look for termite damage, etc. If there are any severe problems, the inspector will let you know.
The inspector will be unable to check the foundation directly if it is not visible. In the meanwhile, they might look for cracks or settling.
Grading
The inspector will tell you if the grade slopes away from the home. The slope of the yard must be changed or a drainage system must be installed if water gets into the home.
The inspector will examine for appropriate opening and shutting of the garage door, garage framework, and ventilation (to prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning). Because gasoline fumes might ignite a water heater’s flame, the inspector will check sure it is positioned high enough off the ground.
The inspector will look for loose, missing, or incorrectly fastened shingles, cracked or broken mastic around vents, and loose, missing, or improperly secured shingles. They will also inspect the gutters.
Interior Check
The inspector will also check the interior of the home. Every inch of your home will be examined by him.
This includes checking all faucets and showers for leaks and water pressure. If any pipes are visible, they will indicate the type. An older pipe could require a secondary inspection to determine if and when it needs to be replaced, as well as the cost. The inspector will also locate the main water shutdown valve.
The inspector will identify the kind of wiring in the home, test all outlets, and ensure that there are functioning ground fault circuit interrupters placed in locations such as the bathrooms, kitchen, garage, and outside. They will also inspect your electrical panel for safety concerns and your electrical outlets for fire hazards.
The inspector will examine your HVAC system to assess its age, performance, and propose repairs or maintenance. An inspector can also tell you whether your home’s ductwork is old, if it has leaks, if it has enough insulation to save energy expenses, and if it contains asbestos insulation.
The home inspector will assess the heater’s age and installation and security. The inspector will also tell you how old it is and how many years it has remaining.
The inspector will occasionally test the kitchen equipment that come with the home, but not usually. If you wish to keep them, ask which ones are missing so you may test them yourself.
The inspector will check for appropriate venting. Dryer exhaust systems that aren’t well-maintained might cause fires.
Fire Inspection
A fire inspector will check the wall of an attached garage to ensure it is fire-rated and has not been damaged in any manner. Fire alarms will also be tested.
Bathrooms
This includes apparent leaks, securely guarded toilets, and appropriate ventilation. Mold and mildew may grow in a bathroom without a window or a ventilation fan, and moisture can damage wood cabinetry.
Home Inspection Excluded Items
A home inspection can’t find everything wrong with a house; it simply looks for visual clues. For example, if the home’s doors don’t shut correctly or the floors are tilted, the foundation may have a crack, but a home inspector can’t determine for sure without removing all of the flooring.
Inspectors will not look at:
- Sewage lines or pipes
- Chimneys
- Electric panels
Aside from that, most inspectors are generalists who would propose hiring an expert to verify the issue and give you an estimate of the cost to remedy it. Hiring more inspectors will cost more money.
They also do not look for termite damage, site contamination or mold or asbestos engineering issues. If they have cause to suspect, they’ll probably warn you. Some inspectors will recommend asbestos testing if your house looks to be at danger.
Pests, radon, and lead may be discovered following the examination.
Inspection
After your house inspection, you have various options:
Provided the faults are too severe or expensive to remedy, you can walk away from the purchase if the contract includes an inspection clause.
Ask the seller to repair any issues, or ask for a cash credit at closing to remedy them yourself. A home inspection may pay for itself many times over.
This is especially true if the property is bank-owned or being sold as-is. Once you buy the property, you may seek quotes for repairs and prioritize them based on cost.
Is It Worth It?
The cost of hiring a home inspector ranges between $300-500, depending on the size of the home and location.
Of course, It can get higher if the general inspection results in the need for more specialist inspectors. Ask how an inspector charges.
Keep things in perspective. An inspection is:
Not the only factor. Maybe you’re willing to fix up the house with these issues. The inspection will tell you how many to complete.
Never free of difficulties. A house inspection will always identify a flaw. Even new homes have small flaws that must be addressed.
Not about fixing everything. Nobody will cure everything for you. You can’t expect all of them to be resolved.
Questionnaires for Home Inspection
Is a Home Inspection Mandatory?
A house inspection does not obligate you to remedy anything. Electrical difficulties, water damage, structural issues, broken roofs, HVAC issues, inadequate plumbing, or pest infestations such as rats, mice, or insects may prevent funding.
Do You Counter Offer After a Home Inspection?
Your broker can negotiate any necessary repairs with the sellers, or you can urge them to decrease the price so you can address any issues yourself. However, a buyer should be aware that the seller is not required to remedy anything after receiving quotations from local contractors.
Why Have a Home Inspection?
Ask the inspector what they will and will not investigate during the inspection. Ask them about a drooping roof, faulty electricity, or rusty or slow-flowing water from the taps. Inquire about the severity of any issues during the inspection and inquire about any unfamiliar features of the property, such as a fireplace or an oil burner.
Can a buyer back out after a home inspection?
Many home inspection conditions are seven-day based. You have seven days to back out after signing the purchase agreement and the inspection.
Getting Ready for a Home Inspection
Clear the basement entry and any clutter to provide simple access to the property. Are shingles falling off your roof? Then it’s time to correct them. Make sure all taps, toilets, and external and interior lighting function. Take care of leaks and water damage, and if you have a pest or bug infestation, call in a specialist before the inspection.
What Does a Mold Inspection Cost?
Mold inspections can cost as much as $1000 or as low as $295. It depends depend on the inspection, the size, and location of the home.
Why Hire a Home Inspector?
To become a home inspector, you must meet the state’s criteria. Each state has its own rules and regulations. You must complete home inspection coursework, work experience, and a state exam to get licensed.
Conclusion
A house inspection will take some time and money, but you’ll be pleased you did it. After the inspection, you may be able to convince the present owners to address problems before you move in—or avoid buying a money pit. When it comes to new house building, it’s critical.
As a first-time homeowner, an inspection may provide you with a crash lesson in house maintenance and a checklist of issues that require addressed. A home inspection can save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run.
