Hiring a home inspector is one of the most basic forms of due diligence when it comes to dealing with a property. There are plenty of good reasons for conducting a home inspection, including buying, selling, seeking insurance, obtaining a loan, and executing an estate. Customers often want to know how far inspections are likely to go. As such, here's what home inspectors usually cover.
A Broad View of the House's Condition
A home inspection represents the most general view of what's going on with a house. Home inspectors will check the condition of the structure as it is visible. That means, for example, an inspector will look for cracks in the foundation, but they're not going to provide a detailed engineering study. Likewise, they'll look at the condition of the roof, but they're not going to climb on the roof and check the shingle and chimney.
You should view a home inspection as a sweep of the house. If the inspector sees something like a saddleback in the roof, you'll need to contact a roofing contractor to conduct a more detailed inspection.
Common Problems that Degrade Value
One big feature of an inspection is that the inspector will look for anything that will quickly degrade the value of the house. These are often problems that represent quick fixes that new buyers don't want to deal with unless the house is a fixer-upper. For example, most prospective buyers don't want to see leaking faucets in a house. As such, an inspector will check things like the faucets, showerheads, and toilets to make sure they're not running needlessly. It's a little fix for you or a contractor to handle, but it can make the house significantly more sellable.
Typically, a home inspection also includes checking the condition of the doors and windows. Do they have flaking paint and loose hinges, for example? If there are spots where the inspector can feel airflow, they may encourage you to hire a contractor to perform a more rigorous infrared inspection.
Big Systems
A home inspector will also want to check all of the big systems in a house. This covers things like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Once more, they can't provide the level of understanding that a technician can. However, they can confirm that something like the zone A/C system is working properly. If there is a problem, they will tell you to contact an appropriate contractor.
Time
Most inspections take between two and four hours. An inspector will produce a report outlining what the house's condition is. You can enter this into your records for due diligence. Contact a home inspector to learn more.
Share25 August 2021
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