The value of a Home Inspection can sometimes be underestimated or misunderstood. Although the cost of the inspection is paid by the interested buyer, it can save us thousands of dollars in unwanted repairs. The job of the home inspector concentrates on the structure of the house and on pointing out safety concerns. They follow a visual inspection, meaning they can only inspect what’s visible without having to follow any type of destructive testing. When you make a written offer on a home, insist that the contract state that the offer is contingent on a home inspection conducted by a qualified inspector.

A professional home inspector should, at a minimum, inspect the following items:

·     Exterior Home Site

·     Building Foundation

·     Exterior Home Walls

·     Roof Coverings, Flashings & Gutters

·     Roof Support Structure

·     Attic

·     Basement

·     Insulation Quality

·     Garage

·     Electrical

·     Visible Interior and Exterior Plumbing

·     Central Air and Heating System

·     Interior Condition of the Home

Some questions to ask a home inspector:

1.   May I please see your home inspector’s license? If they don’t have their license handy, you might want to call another inspector to do the job.

2.   How soon can receive a report?  If the inspector says within 10 days . Forget it.  It should not take him/her more than 5 calendar days.

3.   Feel free to ask about the drainage around the exterior of the home,

4.   how to help keep your basement dryer,

5.   how to prolong the useful life of the roofing  and if there are problems with the roofing and or siding. 

6.   You may also ask the home inspector about the functionality of specific equipment.

For your protection, get a home inspection.

Good Luck!