Home Inspection 101: What to Expect From Your Home Inspection
It’s always a wise idea to have a home inspected before you finalize your purchase. Almost any home you consider is bound to have an issue or two, but you definitely don’t want those issues to be large ones — problems that could potentially throw a monkey wrench into your new homeowner’s budget!
Still, not everybody knows what a good home inspection covers, what to expect or what action (if any) to take once you’ve gotten your home inspection report. Let’s start with the basics …
What is a Home Inspection?
In general terms, a home inspection is an objective visual look at a home’s structure and systems, from top to bottom. It’s not designed to put a value on the home, nor will it offer a “fix” for any issues or problems found. It may not catch every little thing (no home is perfect, after all!), but it will point out flaws or problems that could be costly to repair or could affect how much you think the home you’re considering purchasing is actually worth.
What Does it Cover?
A home inspection covers many aspects of both the home you’re considering and the grounds it sits on. For example, the home inspector will take a look at the grounds including the driveway and walkways to check for gaps, cracks, drainage issues, etc. It will also examine the home’s exterior from top to bottom including things like
- Ground & Exterior
- Walkways, decks, driveways, Decks, siding & foundation
- Roofing
- Soffits and fascias
- Gutters, downspouts and flashing
- Flues
- Chimney’s
- Garage
- Kitchen appliances
- Basement and or Crawlspace
- Structure/Foundation
- Windows and doors
- Bathrooms
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Heating and Air Conditioning
and more. The report will list the materials that make up each of these components and note any issues or problems found with them. (For example, if there are cracks in the foundation, that will be noted along with their location and recommendations for repair.)
Other Services to Consider
You might want to consider a few other, more specialized inspections as well, including
since major issues involving any of these things could be very expensive to repair, and failing to repair them could spell big trouble down the road for you and your family’s health and finances.
Should You Attend the Inspection?
If you can, it’s a good idea to be present at the inspection since it gives you an opportunity to ask questions and view a potential problem first-hand. You’ll also get a better idea of what it’ll take to maintain the home, should you buy it.
After the Inspection
One of the reasons you have a potential new home inspected is to be sure you’re getting a home that delivers what it advertises and is worth the price that the seller is asking for it. If your home inspector finds a major problem — let’s say the chimney needs repointing or the heating system is on its proverbial “last leg”, you’ll want to consider whether to lower your offer in light of the issue, or stipulate that the seller repair the damaged items or systems before finalizing the sale.
With a new mortgage and the other costs involved in home ownership, you probably won’t want to have to deal with any major repairs yourself. Speak with your realtor about your options for proceeding.
The Importance of Good Customer Service
The home inspection company you select should be “there” for you before, during and after the inspection to answer any questions you might have about the process itself or the report you receive after the inspection is complete. If you’re looking for a customer-service oriented home inspection company in the St. Louis Metro East region of Illinois, look no further than Rigid Inspections, LLC.
I’m Zac Knoblauch, and I’m a Certified Inspector through AHIT (American Home Inspectors Training Institute), a licensed home inspector in the state of Illinois (license #450.011629) an ASHI Inspector (American Society of Home Inspectors, Member #260507) and Certified Master Inspector with InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors).
I’ll provide you with a comprehensive home inspection report after thoroughly inspecting your (about to be!) new home, and I’ll gladly help with any questions you might have before, during, or after the inspection. Contact me today if you have any questions!