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Everything You Need to Know About a Home Inspection
Did you know that about 65.5% of Americans own homes? Owning a home is a dream that most people work towards their entire lives, not to mention it is a huge investment. This is why conducting a home inspection is so crucial for buyers and sellers alike, because they are designed to protect people from physical danger or financial emergencies.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about getting a home inspection.
What Does an Inspection Entail?
A home inspection is an evaluation of a property’s physical structure including the foundation all the way to the rooftop. The purpose of the inspection is to find any repairs or replacement needs so that the owner and buyer are aware of any issues that could change the home’s value.
There are some certified professionals that offer additional inspection services such as radon testing or asbestos testing. If there are positive results radon mitigation may have to occur to ensure the house is safe. Keep in mind that inspections are not pass or fail, and ultimately the buyer has to decide if the issues found are worth purchasing or if they want to negotiate.
How Long Will It Take?
Inspections can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete. You should receive the inspection report in about one to two days including all of the findings, photos, and recommendations. Homeowners are welcome and encouraged to be present when inspections happen.
Inspection Checklist
What is and isn’t included in home inspections depends on the property and who is conducting the inspection. Typically, these are the areas that are listed in the standards of practice for ASHI guidelines. Here are some of the features that are and aren’t included in inspections:
Standard Checklist
In general, these are some of the areas that will be inspected in your home:
- Structural components like foundation, floor, walls, and ceiling
- Exterior structures like wall coverings, doors, decks, balconies, or driveways
- Interior including steps, cabinets, doors, and windows
- Systematic components like basic plumbing, electric, heating or cooling, foundation, kitchen, and laundry
Exclusions From Inspection
Here are some of the things that the ASHI excludes from what is a strata inspection report:
- Features on the exterior of the house including screening, shutters, awnings, or break walls
- Swimming pools, sports courts, or docs
- Specialty testing including radon, asbestos, lead paint, mold, or pests
- Interior features like paint, flooring, or appliances
Get a Home Inspection Today
If you are looking to sell or buy a house make sure that you protect yourself by conducting a home inspection. You can ask friends and family or real estate agents to give you a good recommendation on who to hire to complete the exam. If you have an inspection contingency in your contract you have the chance to cancel in the case that your seller won’t budge on needed repairs found.
Check out our blog for more great information on home and lifestyle tips and tricks.
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
