You hope everyone would tell about any challenges a home has, but sometimes people simply don’t know. This is why you need to ask specific home inspection questions.
If you don’t ask these questions, you might miss important parts of your home inspection that will keep you out of trouble. Continue reading this article to learn more about the questions to ask your home inspector.
Home Inspection Questions 101
You’ve found the perfect home for you — but have you? Is the home truly perfect or are there hidden flaws? Here’s how you find out.
1. Why Should I Trust You?
You might not want to say this in so many words but you do want to ensure they have a valid home inspector’s license — and they can show it to you. If they forgot it in their car, you can wait for them to go get it.
Don’t work with an inspector that doesn’t have the proper identification and qualifications.
You can also ask them for references of people that use their services. The more trust you have for this person, the easier it will be to believe what they have to say.
2. How’s the Roof Look?
If the roof is bad, you’re looking at a major expense. It can be a home inspection nightmare if you miss out on something major like a hole in the roof.
Besides for a gaping hole, which is obviously a major problem, ask about the condition of the shingles. Does the inspector see a lot of wear and tear or do they look fresh?
While they are on the roof also ask them to check to see if there is any debris in the gutter or if there are any other signs of problems.
3. Does the House Have Good Insulation?
If the home you’re considering buying doesn’t have good insulation, you could pay more on energy costs in hot and cold seasons. The attic needs to have insulation that has an R-value of at least 60.
The higher the R-value number, the better you can expect the insulation to work.
4. How Bad Is This Problem?
If your home inspector points out a problem during the inspection, you shouldn’t immediately discount the property. Instead, ask how bad the problem is so you can figure out whether you need to move on or if it is a quick fix.
Even if the problem sounds major, like that of a health and safety problem, it could be a problem that only takes a couple of hundred dollars to fix.
5. Who Should I Call to Fix This Problem?
Finding the best people to fix the items on the home inspection might look like a daunting task to you. The good news is that home inspectors are often connected and know the best people to help you with the specific project that you need to be done.
Bring a notepad or get out your phone notes to take down information for any people that you need to ask for repairs.
6. If You Were Me, What Would You Fix First?
You may have a considerable list of projects to fix. If you find this is the case and you can’t figure out what to fix first, ask your inspector. Finding out what they would do first if it was their home gives you a good idea of how you should prioritize these projects.
7. Can You Show Me the Specific Problem Area?
Even if the home inspector tells you about a problem, you might not be able to tell what’s going on without them pointing it out to you. You aren’t being a bother if you ask them to take extra time to show you the problem.
If you’re going to buy this house, you need to see for yourself exactly what is going on and if you want to deal with the problem.
8. Can You Show Me How to Use That?
Do you see something in the house that you aren’t quite sure about? There’s no reason to figure it out yourself. Home inspectors are usually very helpful and happy to show off their expertise so you can learn how to use your new home.
9. How Does the Electrical Work Look?
Electrical work can not only take thousands of dollars to fix but it can take a long time to fix as well. If the house is an electrical nightmare, you may want to take a hard pass.
When you hear the inspector say there are electrical problems, make sure to clarify how major these problems are. You could even ask them for an idea of how long it would take to fix the problem and how much money it would cost.
Since they aren’t electricians, they may not be able to give you an exact amount but they may at least give you a ballpark idea.
10. How Is the Plumbing?
You don’t want to be without a toilet in your new home. Having your home inspector take time on checking the plumbing is important. If a pipe is acting up or there are signs the home flooded in the past, you need to find out what happened before you buy.
Finding Your Perfect Home
Knowing what home inspection questions to ask is a major part of finding your perfect home. Now that you’re equipped with this new information, you might be ready to book an inspection.
When you need a home inspection, reach out to us and we will be glad to help you.