A home inspection is a buyer’s way to test drive the condition of a home before signing off on the final paperwork. Think of a home inspection like a Carfax report on the house, but in real time. It’s the chance for a buyer to hire someone on their behalf to go through each section of the home with a fine tooth comb. It’s an important step of the process, so you want to make sure you have the right person inspecting the home on your behalf. Here are a few questions you don’t want to pass up asking your home inspector before you hire them.
WHAT GETS INSPECTED?
If you don’t know what a home inspector looks for then it’s quite easy to overlook this step in the buying process. A home inspector will check everything from the roof to the foundation, both interior, exterior and everything that falls between that. That’s over 1600 feature in a home! As important as it is to know what they look at, it is equally important to know what they don’t.
WHAT DOES NOT GET INSPECTED
It’s safe to say that a home inspector’s duty is to look at everything that is visible without altering any walls or structures. So they are not required to cut holes in the wall to see what’s behind it if an area is not accessible by the attic. They can however flag certain areas in their report to encourage you to hire a professional to have a closer look (for example an HVAC professional or licensed electrician).
WHAT DO YOU CHARGE FOR AN INSPECTION
A home inspectors rate can vary, as a few things are taken into consideration such as size of house, the market, and his/her experience. Typically you can count on spending between $300-$600. Be wary of inspectors who charge less then in that range. Remember your inspector is essentially the eyes that can see beyond the dream of owning the home. He/she will be objective which is not only what you want, but worth every dime you pay them.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A HOME INSPECTOR AND HOW MANY INSPECTIONS HAVE YOU DONE?
The length of time they have been an inspector isn’t as important as how many Inspections have they completed. The experience will far outweigh the length of time in the industry.
CAN I JOIN YOU WHILE YOU ARE INSPECTING THE HOME?
This should always be a YES. Walking through the inspection is so valuable. You can ask questions on the spot instead of when you are reading through the report. In addition, it’s much easier to learn the houses systems while checking if they are working properly then with a manual after the fact. Plan to be there. This helps you avoid any future confusion about the report.
HOW LONG DOES A HOME INSPECTION TAKE?
This all depends on how big your house is, but if you plan to be there, block off at least 3-4 hrs. Your home inspector will give you a better time range, but alot of this depends on the condition of the home. You can be assured that these are booked while the sellers are not around. So you can feel free to ask questions along the way without the seller looking over your shoulder.
IS THERE A SAMPLE REPORT I CAN SEE BEFOREHAND?
This is another big YES. As a new buyer it can be overwhelming to look at your own report and can often spook you out of buying the home altogether. By seeing a sample report before hand, an inspector can explain what some of the recommended repairs were on that specific report. NOTE: as much as this report tells you, it is not like a crystal ball. Inspectors can’t tell you what will happen in the future but can only report the current status of the home. So seeing a sample will give you a picture of what to expect in your own report.
A qualified and experienced home inspector is essentially an unbiased set of eyes on the quality of maintenance and condition of a house. The power of this report can help you in the negotiation process. I am happy to connect you with a quality home inspector. In my experience, those who invested in this process have never regretted it.
- Article written by the Guzman Team