During an inspection, a home inspector will check out the house from top to bottom, evaluating the condition of everything from the foundation to the roof.
The inspection usually takes place with the buyer or seller present and often takes several hours to complete.
How long the inspection takes depends on the size of the home and its overall condition. A larger house or a house that has many issues will usually require a longer inspection than a small home or a home that has few problems.
Home Improvement
Before you purchase a home, a home inspection yields important information. However, they can also assist you in making selections following the house closing.
Future repair scheduling and planning may be aided by the information in your home inspection report.
You’ll know to start making plans for upgrading the HVAC system in the upcoming years if the report, for instance, stated that it was 15 years old and had an inefficient blower.
Purchase agreement
When a buyer schedules a home inspection, it usually happens soon after the buyer and seller sign a purchase agreement and the seller accepts the buyer’s offer. A contingency clause for inspections should be included in the contract by your real estate agent.
The clause provides you with the opportunity to arrange an inspection and specifies when it must be done, for example, within seven days after the parties’ signature on the purchase agreement.
Your home inspection may help you determine what level of protection to purchase if you would like to purchase a home warranty to safeguard the systems in your house.
Certain warranties allow you to select which of your home’s systems to have covered. The weakest systems in your house should be visible during your assessment.
Flaws in the house
Numerous flaws are listed in most reports. A few defect lists have three or more entries. This is due to the fact that there is no such thing as a flawless house, particularly if it is many decades old.
Instead of focusing too much on the length of the inspector’s list of issues, consider how serious each problem is.
Even if you know there are problems, many of them—like loose doorknobs or cracks in the paved driveway—are so small that you won’t bother correcting them right immediately.
However, some problems—like those involving the home’s physical structure or safety concerns like lead pipes or faulty furnace or water heater installation—can be deal-breakers.
Getting a better house inspection
You probably just got your house ready for a showing, so it’s already in almost ideal shape. But scan the area for any fresh flaws. Get things fixed beforehand if a glass pane has cracked or a shingle has fallen off the roof.
Similarly, obtain a professional service for your HVAC system or furnace if it is temperamental or needs maintenance.
Now is not the time to undertake costly projects. However, you might as well take advantage of any potential fast victories.
It is possible that your buyer may attempt to negotiate a lower price by utilizing any negative findings from the inspection report. Who knows? Perhaps even some money will be saved.
Making repairs before inspection
Naturally, no one is looking for perfection. One rarely comes across a flawless house inspection report. Additionally, it’s possible that the pricing reflects the issues you have negotiated over.
Cherry-picking minor issues that are quick, simple, and affordable to resolve, however, can significantly reduce the number of flaws that a report reveals. And the more likely it is that your sale will close without a hitch, the shorter that list is.
Follow up costs
Concerning safety, it should be noted that while lead and asbestos were widely utilized in the building of older buildings, they are not permitted in newly constructed dwellings.
Prospective purchasers could also demand a camera service check of the plumbing system, including the sewer pipes.
When a home is thought to be at risk, some licensed home inspectors will suggest asbestos testing and offer extra services like radon testing.
FAQs
-
What happens during the inspection process?
Answer: An inspector will take a look at the home’s structure, including the roof, plumbing, windows, doors, foundation, and basement or crawlspace. The inspector will also test the home’s systems, including the electrical, plumbing, and heating/cooling systems.
-
How is the inspection done?
Answer: A safety inspection involves a thorough scrutiny of the workplace to: Identify and record potential health and safety hazards. Review safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, first aid kits, safety shoes, protective gear, etc.) Examine the effectiveness of your workplace safety practices.
-
What is checklist in inspection?
Answer: An inspection checklist, when used properly, is an assurance that a particular piece of equipment has been inspected. As each item on the checklist is ticked off, the person doing the inspection is verifying that each component of the equipment is in correct working order.
Conclusion
In the event that a seller has accepted your offer and acknowledged the need for a home inspection contingency, reserve a few hours on the day of the inspection to provide the inspector ample time to complete their work and to allow you to witness as much of the procedure as possible.
While you are not need to be present at the house when the inspection is taking place, it is normally advised.
If you decide to purchase the property, having a guided tour of the property with the inspector will help you better understand any faults and their potential impact on your comfort and safety.