Part Two: What’s in a Home Inspection?

In the previous article, we talked about how vital home inspections are when investing in a home but you may be wondering ‘what exactly is in an inspection report?’

The inspector takes a comprehensive look at your home with a critical eye. Those loose boards or peeling paint that you may have missed in your excitement for finding the perfect house gets a once over by a professional. Then they give recommendations including the tasks that need to be completed, the location of the damage, photos, implications of the damage or missing item and the time frame that task should be completed in. 

 Because this is a ‘non-invasive’ inspection the inspector may recommend further evaluation by a professional when needed. Sometimes to really investigate potential issues specialized equipment may be needed for testing. An inspector, while knowledgeable about homes, may not have the necessary equipment or specialized expertise.

 There are several types of inspections from the Basic Home Inspections to in-depth specialized inspections that are specific to certain regions or property types. Examples are geological inspections for homes on slopes or even a dock inspection for riverfront properties.  Your real estate agent should be able to tell what type of inspections should be included with the home you are planning on purchasing.

 We always recommend a Basic Home Inspection that covers the roofing, exterior, electrical, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, interior walls, interior flooring, appliances, and garage. If your prospective home has additional features such as a pool or sauna you may look into hiring a company that specifically inspects those items.  You should also discuss add on inspections your inspector may offer such as, sewer line inspections or testing the home for lead-based paint.

 

 Typically these inspection reports can be 30+ pages, so do not be intimated. The inspector is being thorough, which is a good thing.  Many of the issues may be small defects including chipped paint and burnt out light bulbs. The inspector is just covering their bases and pointing out everything that needs to be addressed. Once you get the final report you can decide what action, if any, to take.