Thinking of purchasing a new home? It’s always a good idea to hire a home inspector to make sure it’s in good condition. Home inspectors can provide invaluable information about the condition of your home and can alert you to any potential problems before you sign on the dotted line. However, it’s important to know what home inspectors can and cannot do so you know what to expect before you hire one. In this article, we’ll cover what home inspectors can and cannot do, so you can make an informed decision about hiring a home inspector and make sure your home is safe and sound.
What is a home inspector?
A home inspector is a third-party professional who conducts a thorough inspection of a home so you can make an informed decision about purchasing it. A home inspector will thoroughly examine the condition of a house from top to bottom, inside and outside. They will inspect the roof, floors, foundation, wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, gutters, and more. An experienced home inspector can spot potential issues that you might miss and help you avoid purchasing a money pit. After the inspection, the inspector will prepare a detailed report with photos and a list of any concerns or issues they find. The inspector will tell you how serious the issues are and how they might impact you as the homeowner going forward. For example, they might say the roof has some minor leaks, but it’s not something you need to worry about right now. Or they might say the roof is in bad shape and needs to be replaced soon.
What can a home inspector do?
A home inspector will examine your home and make sure it’s in good condition and safe to live in. They will carefully examine the entire house and look for signs of potential problems. For example, they will check the roof, floors, and foundation for any signs of damage. If they find any issues, they will make a note of them in the inspection report so you can fix them before you move in. In addition to inspecting the house, an experienced home inspector will give you advice on how to fix any issues they find so you can protect your investment and make sure your home is safe and sound. For example, if there’s some minor roof damage, an inspector might advise you to have it fixed because it could become more serious in the future. They can also help you understand what causes each issue and how to prevent it from becoming a more serious problem in the future.
What can’t a home inspector do?
A home inspector can discover almost every issue with your home, but there are a few things they cannot do. An inspector cannot tell you whether or not the home is habitable or livable. For example, if the inspector finds evidence of termite damage, they cannot tell you how bad the problem is or whether the house is safe to live in. Likewise, if an inspector finds evidence of mold, they cannot tell you whether or not it’s toxic and how badly it needs to be treated. For these issues, you’ll need to hire a different type of professional. A home inspector can tell you about many other potential problems, but they cannot recommend a specific solution for each issue. For example, if the roof needs to be replaced, an inspector can tell you that, but they cannot tell you which roofing company to call or how much the replacement will cost. You’ll need to do some additional research to find out how to move forward.
How to hire a home inspector
Before you hire a home inspector, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right one. Finding the right inspector can be difficult, so here are some tips for finding a good home inspector for your house: Experience – When hiring a home inspector, make sure they have a lot of experience and have inspected lots of homes. The more experience an inspector has, the more likely they are to uncover issues you need to know about before you purchase a house. Licensing and insurance – Make sure the inspector you hire is properly licensed and insured. This protects you and the inspector in case something goes wrong during the inspection. Reviews – When hiring a home inspector, don’t just go with the first inspector you talk to. Take the time to talk to at least three different inspectors and find out which one you feel most comfortable with. Once you’ve narrowed the field, look up reviews for each inspector and find out what others think about working with them.
How to prepare for a home inspection
If you’re getting ready to have your house inspected, there are a few things you can do to make sure the inspection goes smoothly. First, make sure the house is clean. Any clutter or mess will make the inspector work harder and may cause them to miss important issues. In addition, make sure you have all the necessary utilities turned on. For example, if your inspector wants to check the electricity and there’s no power running to the house, they won’t be able to do their job properly. Finally, make sure you have all the appropriate paperwork on hand. For example, if the inspector wants to run a water quality test and you don’t have the information, the inspection will be delayed.
Important questions to ask a home inspector
When interviewing home inspectors, make sure you ask them these important questions: – How long have you been inspecting homes? – The longer an inspector has been inspecting homes, the more likely they are to find issues. – Are you familiar with homes like mine? – If you’re buying a new house, you’ll want to make sure the inspector is familiar with the model you’re buying. If you’re buying a used house, you’ll want to make sure the inspector is familiar with the model. – What issues do you expect to find on this house? – You can use this question to see if the inspector has done their research on your house and to see what issues they expect to find.
What to do if an inspector finds something wrong
If the inspector finds something wrong with your house, don’t panic. You can’t see the future and you can’t know everything about a house before buying it. Instead, you should use the inspector’s findings to negotiate a lower price or get the seller to fix the issues before the sale goes through. For example, if the inspector finds evidence of termite damage and you want to buy the house anyway, talk to the seller about reducing the price or getting them to pay for the repairs. If the seller won’t work with you and you still want to buy the house, you have a few options: – Hire a second inspector to re-inspect the house. The original inspector may have missed something and you need to know what issues are actually present. – Hire a different type of contractor to examine the house. For example, if an electrician tells you there’s a problem with the wiring, you’ll want to have a different electrician look at the house and tell you if the first guy was wrong. – Ask a friend who is knowledgeable about these things to take a look. You can’t always trust the contractor who gives you a bad inspection. Likewise, your friend may be more sympathetic to your situation and willing to help you out.
The cost of a home inspection
Home inspection costs vary depending on the size and location of your house, the inspector you hire, and the company they work for. A standard home inspection will cost between $300 and $500, while a termite inspection will cost a few hundred dollars more. If you’re purchasing a new home, you may be able to get the seller to cover part or all of the cost. You can also ask your real estate agent if they have any recommendations on home inspectors. Before you hire an inspector, make sure you know how much the inspection will cost and have the money available. Inspections happen quickly, so you don’t have time to run to the bank to get a cash advance.
Final thoughts on home inspections
No matter how diligent you are, it’s impossible to know everything about a house before you buy it. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a home inspector to make sure the house is in good condition and safe to live in.
