Hiring a home inspector to take a look at a house before you purchase it or put in an offer, may take some time but it will save you an unexpected expense in the long run. You may find yourself wondering - what exactly do home inspectors look for during an inspection?
Licensed and trained home inspectors look for minor to major flaws that may require some attention or an immediate need to be fixed. Even if the house looks perfect, like it was taken out of a magazine, one thing to keep in mind is that appearances can be deceiving.
A home inspection can help the buyer in a big way. In certain markets the home inspection report can be used to help negotiate the price. In todays current market it can be used as more of a budgetary tool. It will help you decide if the issues found would be worth it for you to move forward on the property or to look elsewhere.
If you have access to disclosed damage forms from the seller, it would be a good idea to give your inspector that information. Furthermore, if you have some concerns already in mind, it would also be important to let your inspector know about that as well. We would then pay extra attention to those specified areas.
A big part of Inspekt Pro's home inspection experience is that we invite you to come join us for a full walk through after the completion of the inspection. We use the walk through portion to educate you on the systems of the home and potential problems that are present or could arise.
We will let you know where the electrical panels are, the air conditioning and ventilation switches, and shut off valves for water and natural gas. Along with all of this we explain our findings with possible solutions. Most of the issues we find during a home inspection can be fixed. We also have a network of trades people we can refer you to. This information will not only help you before you buy the property but also moving forward into the future.
This is a breakdown of the systems we inspect:
Grounds: Home inspectors start the inspection by looking for current or future water issues such as standing puddles and faulty grading or downspouts. We inspect landscaping to see if trees and shrubs are in good condition (an arborist will give you a more detailed assessment), and evaluate pathways, retaining walls, and railings.
Structure: Is the house foundation solid? Are the sides straight? Are the window and door frames square? This part of the inspection is particularly important to a buyer who is considering an older house.
Roof: A home inspection looks for defects related to the roof, including attic shingles, flashing, and fascia (all of which can cause ceiling drips and leaks in crawl spaces), loose gutters and defects in chimneys and skylights. If it is safe we will always walk a roof but if unsafe we have other means of getting the job done.
Exterior: A home inspection checks for siding and attic cracks, rot, or decay, cracking or flaking masonry near the basement, cracks in stucco, dents or bowing in vinyl, blistering or flaking paint and adequate clearing between siding and earth.
Windows, doors, trim: If you want to keep heat in, cold out, and energy bills low, windows and doors must be in good working condition. The inspector will see if frames are secure and without rot, ensure caulking is solid and secure, and glass is undamaged.
Interior rooms: Inspectors are concerned about leaning walls that indicate faulty framing; stained ceilings that could point to water problems; adequate insulation behind the walls; and insufficient heating vents that could make a room cold and drafty.
Kitchen: Inspectors make sure range hood fans vent to the outside; ground-fault circuit interrupter protection exists for electrical outlets within 6 feet of a sink; no leaks occur under the sink; and cabinet doors and drawers operate properly.
Bathrooms: The goal here is to inspect toilets to see that they are flushing. The inspection also makes sure drains are draining, showers are spraying, and tubs are securely fastened.
Plumbing: Inspectors are evaluating pipes, drains, water heaters, and water pressure and temperature. Beyond plumbing issues they may also look for water damage.
Electrical systems: Inspectors will check if the visible wiring and electrical panels are in good shape, light switches and the HVAC systems work correctly, and there are enough outlets in each room.
Hopefully this information will help you make the right decision about getting a home inspection regardless of the size or age of the home. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions.
Info@inspektpro.ca www.inspektpro.ca or 16043082156
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