What to Expect from a Home Inspection
Inspections: For New Home Buying or Trying to Reduce Utility Bills
What is a home inspector? A person trained and licensed to evaluate all systems in the home. He checks the structural integrity, looks for foundation problems, the roof (including shingles, trusses or rafters, ridge vents, whirlybirds, and soffit vents). He also checks the rest of the home in detail.
When is a Home Inspector Hired?
The home inspector might be hired by a home buyer or seller after agreeing on a price, but before closing with the realtor or real estate agent. This is when the selling party seeking to alleviate any concerns over the home's integrity. Another case is when someone wants to tweak the home's energy efficiency.
The Home Inspection Checklist
Home inspectors usually evaluate the same things but may choose to do them in a particular order. The following is typical:
- General external visual inspection – The inspector will walk around the house, checking the roof peak, looking for dipping spots which may identify structural or foundation problems. Then he should be expected to use his ladder to climb onto the roof to inspect the ridge vents in detail, along with flashing around bath vent pipes, in the valleys, around roof ventilation systems, and around skylights. He will also note the general condition of the shingles and estimate the expected life they have left.
- Follow-up External Home Inspection – This is an extension of the general inspection. It includes looking at the type and state of the home's siding or brick veneer, the condition of any landscaping lighting and sprinkler systems, and the condition of the sidewalks and driveways within the property lines. If the circuit breaker box is located outside, he will evaluate this also.
Interior Home Inspections
At this point, the inspector will move into the home's interior to continue.
- He'll look for cracked drywall and sticking windows and doors which indicates foundation damage.
- He will make a general plumbing overview of faucets, showers, toilets, sinks, and the garbage disposal. It should be noted that sewer inspections aren't included generally.
Attic Energy Efficiency
A check is done to determine if the recommended amount of attic insulation is present. The condition of the roof framing is graded. It's becoming increasingly popular to note whether a radiant barrier foil installation or painting has been done.
Focus on the Electrical System
The home's electrical system is integral, and its condition makes a difference in a home's resale value. There was a time when aluminum wiring was used extensively. Buying a home equipped this way is a mistake, and evaluating this is on the checklist.
The home's electrical also inspection involves bathroom exhaust fans, ceiling fans, operational analysis of receptacles, determining whether the kitchen and bathrooms meet electrical code with respect to using CGFI receptacles, and lighting fixtures in general.
This inspection involves bathroom exhaust fans, ceiling fans, operational analysis of receptacles, whether the kitchen and bathrooms meet electrical code with respect to using CGFI receptacles, and lighting fixtures in general.
Included in this part of the inspection is the functionality of the major appliances, such as the water heater (or tankless water heater), dishwasher, range and oven, dishwasher, and the condition of the home's smoke detectors.
And, the Results of the Home Inspection Are...
As soon as the inspection is finished, the inspector will give the homeowner (or hopeful homeowner) the final result report, which will identify problem items and will make recommendations for improvements.
Home Inspector
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