It takes time to hire a home inspector to examine a house before you buy it, but the effort invested could save you a lot of money. So what exactly does a home inspection company look for in a home?
A home inspector can look for significant faults that may require repair. First impressions can be misleading even if a house appears in excellent shape.
What should one check when inspecting a new home?
The answer is a lot.
Sean Skirrow, executive director of Dream Home Inspections, educates potential homebuyers and has inspected thousands of homes across Florida; he says, "we have thousands of different topics on our list that home inspectors are expected to look at."
A home inspection can also greatly assist a buyer: You can renegotiate with the seller to get some issues fixed or to drop the price as long as your offer includes a house inspection contingency. You can walk away from the purchase with your deposit in hand if the issues are too much for a home buyer to handle (for example, a foundation that needs repair or a roof that is about to cave in). In any case, it benefits potential buyers equally.
A typical checklist for house inspectors
A checklist of potential issues related to your real estate is included in a home inspection. Here is an example of a typical home examination; albeit we won't include all 1,600; however, we will include some of the most important. Remember, if you have special requests for your home inspection, it is imperative to inform us during the initial phone consultation so that we can provide your desired results and meet your expectations, as there are many frequently asked home inspection questions.
Grounds: To begin the examination, home inspectors search for any potential water problems, including any standing puddles, improper grading, or broken downspouts. They check the landscape to determine if the trees and bushes are healthy (an arborist may provide a more thorough evaluation). They review the paths, retaining walls, outbuildings, and railings.
Structure: Is the foundation of the home sturdy? Are the sides straight? Are the door and window frames consecutive? This inspection section is crucial for a buyer considering an older home.
Roof: Defects in the roof, such as attic shingles, flashing, and fascia, which can all lead to ceiling drips and leaks in crawl spaces, loose gutters, and issues with chimneys and skylights, are all areas that a house inspector will look for.
Exterior: A home inspection looks for cracks, rot, or decay in the siding and attic, as well as brickwork in the basement, stucco, dent or bowing vinyl siding, blistering or flaking paint, and proper clearance between siding, soil, and earth, which should be at least 6 inches to prevent moisture damage (although soil and earth can be in contact with the cement foundation).
Doors, windows, and trim: Windows and doors need to be in good functioning order if you want to keep warmth in, cold out, and energy costs down. The inspector will check to verify if the glass is intact, the caulking is solid and secure, and the frames are secure and free from rot.
Interior spaces: Leaning walls that suggest poor construction, stained ceilings that can signal water issues, suitable insulation behind the walls, and a lack of heating vents that could result in a cold, drafty room are all concerns inspectors are concerned about.
Kitchen: Inspectors make sure there are no leaks under the sink, that cabinet doors and drawers open and close correctly, that range hood fans vent to the outside, and that electrical outlets within 6 feet of a sink have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection.
Bathrooms: Checking to ensure the toilets are flushing is the objective here. The check verifies that drains are working correctly, showers are spraying, and tubs are fixed securely.
Plumbing: Inspectors assess water heaters, pipelines, drains, and the pressure and temperature of the water. In addition to plumbing problems, they might check for water damage.
Electrical systems: Inspectors will examine the condition of the electrical panels and visible wiring, the functionality of light switches and HVAC systems, and the number of outlets in each room.
What can you do to assist the house inspector?
Bring all concerns you may have to the home inspector before the inspection so that he can watch for any potential issues. Give your inspector advance notice of any damage that the seller has disclosed if they have.
Being with the home inspector as he performs the home inspection is another wise decision. Understanding this new house, its systems, and potential issues is in your best interest. For instance, a home inspector can introduce you to the plumbing's shut-off water valves, electrical panels, and air conditioning and ventilation switches (which the seller may need to learn to operate or forget to show you). If the inspector notices a problem, he can demonstrate precisely how the issue is occurring, explain what it means, and suggest a solution. Additionally, this information will be helpful to you both before and after the purchase.
Local Home Inspection Company.
Suppose you reside in the Daytona Beach area. Or any other Flagler County or Volusia County locations of Florida, contact us. We are local, professional, and licensed and can arm you with the needed knowledge of your home purchase.