No matter if it’s for business or personal use, purchasing a home is undoubtedly an exciting time. However, certain steps must be taken to keep the positive course and lessen the potential loss risk. One of these steps is conducting a home inspection.
Are you currently in this situation and wondering how you will know when you’ve found the right home inspection service?
That’s where we come in. We’ve created a comprehensive explanation of why an inspection is important, how you will use the inspection, and, most importantly, how you will know when you have found the right home inspection service.
What is a Home Inspection?
Home inspectors perform a thankless job with a lot of ground covered, literally. They inspect every aspect of your home and the surrounding area to provide you with as much information as possible to aid in your home buying decision.
So what all do they look at? Inspectors go down the line starting from the ground up.
Note that it is important to be present at the home inspection and it is also very helpful to the inspector if you tell them any information you are already aware of so they can look into it further during the inspection.
Grounds
At the ground level, they check for current water issues or evidence of previous water problems. In the case of prior issues, they will investigate to see if any remediation actions have been taken.
Exterior
While outside, they will inspect walkways, stairs, walls, landscaping that may encroach on the foundation and cause damage. You name it, if it’s on the property they look at it. Next, they move to all exterior aspects of the home itself.
Is the home sound from all angles? This includes the foundation, porches, windows, door frames, the roof, gutters, the chimney, the brick or siding, etc.
Interior
Just as they did outside, they will inspect the structural aspects of the home from the inside. For example, they will look at if the walls are straight, insulated, and free of stains or cracks indicating damage. This is also the approach they take with the ceiling.
Another aspect of the inspection includes the heating and air conditioning units, the HVAC vent system, all switches and outlets, and more. There are codes that must be upheld and will be a requirement for the sale to continue.
In general, the home is looked over, then room-specific items are checked as well.
The bathrooms and the kitchen will be inspected thoroughly including plumbing, electrical, and appliances. Yes, if an oven is part of the agreement and it does not work, it is noted on the inspection report.
If the home has a basement, finished or unfinished, and a garage, these areas are included in the inspection as well. Some of the issues that might be found in these areas of the home are mold in either room or even improper fire-proofing in the garage.
Why Are Home Inspections Important?
There is more than meets the eye when looking at a home that you are not familiar with. This is especially true when you feel you’ve found the home of your dreams because you’re likely looking at the home through rose-colored glasses.
Everything may seem fine to the untrained, naked eye, but serious issues and hidden dangers can lurk beneath the surface.
That’s why you bring in the pros!
The inspection report will either give you the peace of mind, or as a buyer beware to walk away.
Using Your Home Inspection Report
The inspection report is your built-in negotiation tool because it is a fact-based explanation of findings that you can use to present the buyer with a counteroffer or contingencies.
Here are a few examples of how this looks:
If an electrical upgrade is required for the sale of the home, you can make the sale contingent on the seller completing the work OR you can ask for money off the sale price and you, as the buyer, will have the work done.
If you discover the water heater is nearing the end of its life, you can ask that it be replaced prior to closing OR you can ask for money off the sale price.
Deciding on a Home Inspection Service
Finding a home inspector is a process that involves finding potential companies, narrowing those companies down through research, then deciding who makes the final cut through vetting techniques.
Here’s a look at the steps to finding an inspector.
Phone a Friend
If you live in an area with friends, family, coworkers, or acquaintances, you may choose to ask them if they have used a home inspector and can recommend, or warn about, someone.
In some cases, you won’t have this phone a friend option, but you have your community. Reach out to your neighbors or your new community, social media is a wonderful resource for community feedback of all kinds.
Memberships and Certifications
When looking up a suggested inspector or inspection company, one of the most important aspects to look for is any education, memberships, or certifications that ensure a high-quality performance standard.
For example, the American Society of Home Inspectors is one of the certifications you will come across. This is an excellent sign of a properly trained, professional inspector.
Free Samples
Free samples aren’t just for the grocery store. Samples are also a great tool you can use to vet home inspection companies. Look for a sample report on their website.
This simple resource will give you a look at exactly what the inspector will provide to you with a real-life example. If you’re not satisfied with the sample, you know that particular inspection service is not what you are looking for.
Interview to Hire
At this point, you have a lot of information. The next step is to contact the professionals you are interested in, let them tell you what they offer and ask questions!
What is their home inspection process? What is the cost? How long will it take? Nothing is a stupid question.
From here, you choose who you feel confident in and comfortable with.
Home Sweet Home Inspection Results
For affordable, reliable home inspection service above the rest, you can count on Class Home Inspection.
Don’t take our word for it, see for yourself! Take a look at our website to find out more about our highly-trained inspectors and what we offer!