Learn About Home Inspection Basics
Purchasing your home without performing a home inspection can be costly after the key has been handed.
Why concern yourself with a home inspection? After all, you’ve look at ever inch of the home and what can a home inspection tell you that the seller didn’t already disclosed.
No more how good the condition of the home you think it is, it’s a safe investment to get a detailed report from a professional home inspector, who has the training and certifications.
A home inspection is a non-invasive examination of the condition of a home. The home inspector prepares a written report and delivers it to you, the home buyer. The report will inform you about the conditions and the necessary repairs before closing on your home purchase.
The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.
Home Inspection Checklist
A home inspector will check:
- Roof
- Siding
- Foundations, Girders, Joists
- Property & Foundation Grade
- Gutter and Spout Systems (Water Control)
- Walks, Stoops, Patios
- Attic - Ventilation, Insulation, Framing, Sheathing
- Walls, Ceilings, Floors, Windows, and Doors
- Plumbing, Water Tank
- Electrical
- Heating and Cooling
- Built-in Kitchen Appliances
- Basement
Also, the inspector will check other aspects of buildings looking for improper building practices, items that require extensive repairs, items that are general maintenance issues, as well as some fire and safety issues.
A home inspection is not exhaustive and does not imply that every defect or problems will be discovered.
Home inspection excludes: code or zoning violations, permit research, property measurements or surveys, boundaries, easements or right of way, conditions of title, proximity to environmental hazards, noise interference, soil or geological conditions, well water systems or water quality, underground sewer lines and/or waste disposal systems, buried piping.
Home Inspector Professional Associations
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE)
National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)
