If you’re not familiar with home inspections, then you might have a lot of questions about what gets inspected, how thorough the inspectors are, why you even need one, and what you can expect if you’re walking with an inspector through the house you’re hoping to buy.
There’s a lot to know about home inspection, and your questions deserve answers.
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is an event that is basically exactly what the name implies: A home inspector walks through the home, looking at and testing specific elements and features of the house, and then provides a detailed report about anything that needs to be repaired.
Why would I want a home inspection?
An inspection is a good idea anytime you want a full rundown on any issues or problems with your house. It will inform you of items to keep an eye on, items that may need routine maintenance, or serious problems that could save you from purchasing a nightmare.
What does the home inspector look at?
There are six essential parts of an inspection that you can expect every inspector to hit. They are:
- the roof and attic,
- the basement and foundation,
- the plumbing,
- the electrical setup,
- the heating or air conditioning systems,
- the interior of the house,
- the exterior of the house.
Depending on where you live and what common problems tend to manifest in the homes, you might also want to think about hiring a pest inspector, a sewer line inspector, or even ask about an engineering report to evaluate the home and plot’s structure and stability.
And in areas where radon is prevalent, or where there’s a lot of humidity, you may also want to ask about radon or mold testing (some home inspectors do this as an add-on part of the package).
How much does it cost?
The price of the home inspection is going to depend on the size of the house. You can typically expect to spend around $400 on a home inspection, but smaller properties (less than 1,000 square feet) might cost only $300, whereas larger homes (more than 2,000 square feet) cost upwards of $500 to inspect. Ask an inspector or your real estate agent in your area what they usually cost to get a closer estimate.
Do you need an inspector for a new house?
It’s always a good idea to get a home inspection, even in a brand-new house. You don’t want to find out there’s a problem after you move in, and an inspection is the best way to figure that out. So follow the “trust, but verify” process with your builder: Trust that they did their very best to get your home in the best condition possible … then verify that they did just that with an official inspection. I have been through many new construction inspections and have found small things like a window that doesn't open properly, or larger things like forgotten insulation in the attic.
Should you attend the inspection?
It’s usually a smart idea for the buyer to at least attend part of the inspection in case they have questions for the inspector or want to follow up on any notes the inspector makes. Inspectors today use new technologies that allow them to include photos of any issues or potential problems, but there’s nothing like being there in person to better understand exactly what’s wrong and how to fix it.
What happens if a problem is uncovered?
If there is anything wrong with the home you’re about to buy, there are options. Usually when this happens, the buyers and the sellers start negotiating again for the seller to make repairs or credit money for the buyer to make repairs later. During the inspection period buyers also have the option to back out if they feel the home has too many issues for them to handle.
If everyone can come to an agreement that suits everybody, then the sale can move forward.
