What is a Home Inspector?

Home Inspector Inspects the Cabinet Sink

WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTOR

is a specialist that conducts inspections on residential properties in order to check compliance and makes an evaluation for any potential hazard as well as structural defects. Part of what they inspect are the following:
– interior infrastructure
– exterior infrastructure
– plumbing and electrical systems
– thermal inspection inside the house
– etc.
Afterward, home inspectors communicate with the potential home buyer(s), and realtors all issues discovered with the property as well as recommendations for any needed repair and items for improvement.
A detailed report is presented to the potential homeowner which contains all information during the inspection which are extensive photos, videos, and inspection notes of observations. The inspector’s goal is to be able to give the buyer a clear picture of the house’s current state as completely as possible and provide the homeowner with more information before purchasing the property.
Home inspectors are required by law in some states to undergo a minimum amount of classroom training and passing the state exam in order to gain a home inspector’s license.

How long does it take to conduct a house inspection?

The length of an examination varies greatly, and is primarily determined by four factors:

  1. Size of a house
  2. The number of flaws
  3. The inspector’s thoroughness
  4. The owner’s assistance in preparing for the inspection

As a property seller, what to expect from a home inspection

As a home seller, it’s in your best interest to make everything on the home inspection checklist accessible quickly and easily. Here are a few things you can do to help:
  1. Leave keys (for example, for your electrical panel) and indicate where they may be found by the inspector.
  2. Even in the summer, make sure all pilot lights for fireplaces and furnaces are turned on so the inspector can assess the heating and other appliances.
  3. Clean up your basement. There should be a clear path down the stairs to your furnace/HVAC unit/water heater, as well as anything else that needs to be inspected.
  4. Maintain the same level of cleanliness in your attic as you do in your basement.
  5. Clear important places in your yard to provide the inspector access to your crawl space, drainage access points, or septic tank.
  6. Have the utilities reconnected if the house is uninhabited and the utilities have been turned off

Taking on critical issues

If your home inspector finds any safety or structural problems, you’ll have to make a more difficult decision: Should you buy the house?
If you wish to take the next step, you’ll need:
  • Additional inspections – Home inspectors aren’t always experts in every facet of home development. A professional, such as a structural engineer, should analyze the home’s condition to determine what work and costs will be required to correct the issues.
  • Negotiating — As a condition of purchasing the home, you’ll need to require repairs. If you agree to buy the house in its current state, the seller may agree to drop the price. Alternatively, the seller may agree to address the issues before closing.
  • Following up — If the home required major repairs, such as foundation raising or water diversion, have the professional who diagnosed the problem return to inspect the work.

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