What to Expect from Your Home Inspection
When it is time to get a home inspection on the house that you are almost ready to buy, you’ll want to know exactly what’s going to happen.
This is important so that you can ask as many questions as possible and have the process go smoothly on your end!
This is what you should expect from your home inspection!
First Steps
Your home inspector will arrive at the house will all of the equipment and tools that they need to perform the inspection and any added services that you may have requested, such as a radon test.
Inspectors typically do more than one inspection per day, so they will be prompt and there at the exact time that the inspection is scheduled for. This is not only to respect their time, but also yours and the homeowner’s, so make sure that you arrive at the home early!
General Info
Home inspections typically last around 2 to 3 hours, so prepare to be there for at least 3 hours. Depending on the size and age of the home, it can be shorter or longer.
The inspector will need to look at everything both inside and outside of the home, which is why their thorough examination takes longer.
You should come ready to ask questions that you have thought about regarding the home so that you can ask while they are looking at the home.
It is recommended that you walk through the home with them while they are inspecting.
- This is a great time to see where components of the home are!
- Inspectors typically like to discuss certain things with the buyer, pointing out defects that they see.
- This is also a great time for them to educate you about things within the house, such as where the electrical box is and how it should look and function, etc.
- You can inquire about certain findings and get clarity on what they are and what that means in relation to whether the house is a good fit for you.
What the Inspector Looks At
Home inspectors are general experts, meaning that they know a lot about the entirety of homes and the components that are within them.
However, they are not specific experts, such as an electrician or a plumber, which means that they can tell if something is not working properly but potentially be unsure of the exact reason why.
Home inspections are also a non-invasive examination, which means that they are testing and visually assessing the home, but are not going to physically tear things apart.
- For example, they might notice a wet spot on a wall, which they can infer means there may be a mold issue.
- They can do an air sample to see if there are mold spores in the air, but will not tear open the drywall to physically see if there is mold behind it.
- This varies depending on whether they are a certified specialist or not, in which case they may look deeper into the issue.
However, generally speaking their job is to determine if there is a problem or not, and to assess the situation and determine whether it will require extensive repairs or not.
Inspections Include These Major Components:
- Interior
- Exterior
- Physical structure
- Mechanical systems
- Electrical systems
- Roof
- HVAC system
- Major appliances & their connectivity
- Insulation
- Plumbing
- Garage & exterior storage areas
Overall, getting a home inspection is meant to give you – as the buyer – a more indepth and professional insight into your potential new home purchase.
Their job is to give you peace of mind that the home is safe and functional, and to bring awareness to major problems that could be costly and unsafe.