FAQs about Home Inspection
What is a home inspection?
Ahomeinspectionobjectivelyexaminesahouse’sphysicalstructureandsystems,fromthe rooftothefoundation.Onaverage,asingle-familyhomeinspectionusuallytakes2-4hours tocomplete,thoughthisisheavilydependentonthehome’ssizeandcondition.Afterthe inspectionprocess,theinspectorwillsendtheclientaninspectionreport(oftenwithin2448hours)thatcoverstheirfindings,completewithpictures,analysis,and recommendations.
What does a home inspection include?
Thestandardhomeinspector’sreportwillcovertheconditionofthehome’sheating system;centralairconditioningsystem(temperaturepermitting);interiorplumbing system;electricalsystem;theroof,attic,andvisibleinsulation;walls,ceilings,floors, windowsanddoors;andthefoundation,basementandstructuralcomponents.ASHI publishesaStandardofPracticeandCodeofEthicsoutliningwhattoexpectinthehome inspectionreport.
Itisimportanttonotethattheremaybesomeexceptions.Ifcertainareasareinaccessible (lockeddoor,tenant’sbelongingsintheway)orunsafeconditions(severelysteeproofs, poorstructuralintegrity),theinspectorwillexplainthesituationandnotethattheycould notassessthatspecificareaorsystem.
Why do homebuyers need a home inspection?
Buyingahomeisasignificantinvestmentandmightbethelargestoneahomebuyerever makes.It’srecommendedthathomebuyersgainasmuchknowledgeaspossibleaboutthe propertybeforepurchasingit.Athoroughhomeinspectioncanrevealanysignificant repairsneeded,potentialoversightsbythebuilder,orgeneralmaintenancerequiredto keepthepropertyingoodcondition.Bygoingthroughtheinspectionprocess,homebuyers canbetterunderstandthepropertytheyareconsideringandconfidentlymakeinformed decisions.Additionally,ifahomeownerplanstoselltheirproperty,ahomeinspectioncan identifyanyrepairsneededtoimprovethehome’ssellingcondition.
Do the homebuyers have to be there?
Althoughthehomebuyerdoesn'tneedtobepresentduringthehomeinspection,itishighly recommended.Manyhomebuyersfindittobeavaluableandworthwhileexperience.Being presentduringtheinspectionallowsthehomebuyertoobservetheinspector’sfindings andaskquestionsastheyarise.Interactingwiththeinspectorduringtheinspectioncan providehomebuyerswithinvaluableinformationtohelpthemmakeinformeddecisions abouttheirinvestment.
Can a house fail a home inspection?
Aprofessionalhomeinspectionisanexaminationandobjectiveassessmentofthecurrent conditionofahouse.Ahomeinspectorwillnotpassorfailahousebutratherdescribeits physicalconditionandindicatewhatcomponentsandsystemsmayneedmajorrepairor replacement.Ahomeinspectionisnotanappraisalandwillnotdeterminethehome's marketvalue.Itisalsonotamunicipalinspectionanddoesnotverifylocalcode compliance.