Table of Contents
What is included in a home inspection? Structural components (floors, walls, ceilings, stairs). Exterior components (siding, attached decks, porches). Roof. Plumbing. Heating and air conditioning. Major appliances. Ventilation. Insulation.
Is it necessary for a buyer to inspect a home?
A home inspection contingency allows buyers to learn about major and minor issues with a home before purchasing it. Many lenders won’t offer financing on a home without an inspection. Home inspections can uncover potentially life-threatening problems like mold or faulty wiring that could cause a significant fire.
What should I look for when inspecting a house?
A home inspection checklist for buyers ❏ Oil tank. If you’re buying a house that is heated using oil and intend keep it that way, this might not be a big deal. ❏ HVAC system. ❏ Roof. ❏ Structural integrity of the chimney. ❏ Water drainage and disbursement. ❏ Electricity system. ❏ Foundation. ❏ Quality of the flooring.
What are home inspectors not allowed to do?
A home inspector is not allowed to determine the presence of potentially hazardous materials such as lead-based paint, asbestos, radon, or mold without proper laboratory testing to justify their findings. Most home inspectors provide ancillary services for a fee over and above the standard home inspection.
How long does a home inspection take?
It depends upon the size of the home and the number of rooms. An average inspection takes about 2-2½ hours (1-1½ hours for a condo). The time is well-spent considering there are more than 500 components in the average home.
What is a 4 point inspection?
A 4-point inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house or condominium, reviewing four major systems: roofing, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. This specific inspection is requested by homeowners insurance companies before someone can renew or be eligible for their desired coverage plan.
What questions should I ask a home inspector?
Questions to ask during home inspection: What to ask a home inspector ‘What do you check? ‘ ‘What don’t you check? ‘What do you charge for a home inspection? ‘How long have you been doing this? ‘Can I come along during the inspection? ‘How long will the inspection take? ‘Can I see a sample report? ‘What does that mean?.
Do home inspectors look in closets?
Home inspectors need access to attics, crawl spaces, basements, closets, and circuit breakers. Sometimes people like to hide a fuse box with shelving or other décor, but inspectors need to take the cover off to take a look inside.
Should I be nervous about my home inspection?
Although such nervousness is normal, a little knowledge and preparation will go a long way toward a successful outcome. Fix problem areas before you list your home. This may seem obvious, but if there are repairs that would make you hesitate as a buyer, go ahead and fix them. Your home will show better, too.
Are home inspections required in PA?
While a license is not required to become a home inspector in Pennsylvania, the home inspection profession is regulated by the state. The law requires home inspectors to: Become a full member of a national, non-profit home inspection association that requires 100-inspections for full membership.
What happens when a follow up inspection is needed?
Follow-up inspection means an inspection performed after a repair has been completed in order to determine the effectiveness of the repair. This type of inspections is typically more focused on the progress that has been made in respect of non-compliant areas identified in the initial inspection.
What makes a home uninsurable?
In the housing market, an uninsurable property is one that the FHA refuses to insure. Most often, this is due to the home being in unlivable condition and/or needing extensive repairs.
What is mitigation report?
A wind mitigation report informs the insurance company of a home’s construction in order to determine its stability in the event of strong winds. A homeowner with windstorm insurance can often submit the results of this report to their insurer and obtain discounts on their windstorm insurance.
What is WDO damage?
WDO is an acronym for Wood Destroying Organisms. The most common types found in Northern California are the Drywood Termite, Subterranean Termite, and the Carpenter Ant. Dry rot or fungus damage are also WDO’s that should be looked out for and are more common than termites.
What is sample inspection report?
The Initial Sample Inspection Report (ISIR) is an important part of the sampling process as it documents the results of the tests at the “initial sample”.
Do home inspectors look under rugs?
Although home inspectors are not required by the standards of the State of Florida and national home inspector associations to inspect carpeting or remove it to inspect the structure below, we typically do lift up and look under any small area rugs that appear to be in an odd location to examine the floor underneath Aug 28, 2018.
Do inspectors look in cabinets?
3. Kitchen Cabinets. This is often considered an optional item for house inspectors to check. Still, many times house inspectors will take a look at the kitchen cabinets to make sure doors open properly, there is no mold or mildew inside, and that lights and outlets around them work.
How should a seller prepare for a home inspection?
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare for the inspection. Provide open access to areas that need to be checked. Clear the perimeter. Check the roof. Keep a clean house. Replace any bulbs that are out. Make sure your toilets are functioning properly. Put in a fresh furnace return filter.
How do you deal with inspectors?
Tips For Dealing With Inspectors Tip #1: Designate a Contact Person. Tip #2: Have a Response Plan. Tip #3: Ask Inspector for ID and Business Card. Tip #4: Ask for Representative during Formal Questioning. Tip #5: Be Cooperative. Tip #6: Take Detailed Notes.
