Home Inspections - A Question and Answer Guide

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Home Inspections - A Question and Answer Guide -

A home inspection is an assessment of visible and accessible systems and components of a home (plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, structure, roof, etc.) and is designed to give the customer (buyer, seller, or house) a better understanding of the general condition of the house. Most of the time it comes to a buyer who requires a check of the house he or she is serious about buying. A home inspection provides data so that decisions about the purchase can be confirmed or challenged, and may discover serious and / or expensive to repair defects that the seller / owner may not be aware of. It is not an evaluation of the property value; nor does it address the cost of repairs. It does not guarantee that the house complies with local building codes or to protect a customer in case of an inspected element fails in the future. [Note: Warranties can be purchased to cover many items.] A home inspection should not be considered an evaluation "technically exhaustive", but rather an evaluation of the property on the day that is inspected, taking into account normal wear and tear for the age and location of the house. A home inspection may also include, for additional fees, radon gas testing, water analysis, energy audits, pest inspections, swimming pool inspections, and several other specific items that may be indigenous to the region of the country where the inspection. Start inspections are also used (less often) by a seller before listing the property to see if there are hidden problems that are not aware of, and even by homeowners who simply want to take care for their homes, avoid surprises, and maintain the investment at home the highest possible value.

The major results pay attention to a home inspection are:

1. The major defects, such as large differential cracks in the foundation; the level or lead structure; No bridges installed or supported properly, etc. These are items that are expensive to repair, which we classify as elements that require more than 2% of the purchase price for the repair.

2. Things that could lead to serious defects - a flashing roof leak that could get larger, damaged downspouts that could cause the backup and water intrusion, or of a supporting beam that has not been linked to the properly structure.

3. a safety hazard, such as an electrical system to view, the lack of GFCI (ground fault) in kitchens and bathrooms, the lack of safety railing on more than 30 inches from the ground bridges etc.

your inspector will advise you on what to do about these problems. He / she may recommend evaluation - and certainly serious issues will be - by professionals licensed or certified specialists who are in bad areas. For example, the inspector recommend that you call a construction engineer license if they find sections of the house that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a serious structural weakness.

home inspections are done only by a buyer after signing a contract, right?

This is not true! As you will see when you read about, a home inspection can be used for intermediate controls in new building, as a maintenance tool by a current homeowner, a proactive technique by sellers to make their home more salable, and customers who want to determine the status of the potential venue.

The vendors, in particular, can benefit from getting a home inspection before listing the house. Here are just some of the advantages to the seller:

· The seller knows the house! The home inspector will be able to get answers to his / her questions about the history of any problems they find.

· A home inspection will help the seller to be more objective when it comes to defining a fair price on the way home.

· The seller can take the report and make it a marketing piece for the home.

· The seller is notified of any safety problems found in the home before opening to tour open house.

· The seller can do the repairs rather pleasant to be in a race after the contract is signed.

Why should I get a home inspection

Your new home has dozens of systems and more than 10,000 shares -? Heating and cooling ventilation and appliances. When these systems and devices work together, you experience the comfort, energy savings and durability. weak links of the system, however, can produce assorted problems that lead to a loss of value and duration of the reduced components. Want to buy a used car without a qualified mechanic look at it? Your home is much more complicated, and have a background check that is documented in a report of weapons with substantial information on which to make decisions.

Why can not I control myself ?

The majority of homebuyers do not have the knowledge, skills and objectivity required to inspect a home run. By using the services of a professional home inspector, gain a better understanding of the condition of the property; especially if all the elements do not "work as expected" or "adversely affect the habitability of the dwelling" or "warrant further investigation" by a specialist. Please note that the home inspector is a generalist and is widely trained in every home system.

Why can not ask a member of family that is at hand, or which is a contractor to inspect my new home?

Even if your niece or aunt may be very skilled, he or she is not trained or experienced in a professional home inspections and usually lack the specialized test equipment and knowledge necessary for a control. Home Inspection Training and skills are a distinct, licensed profession that employs rigorous standards of practice. Most business owners and others in the industry to hire a professional home inspector to inspect their homes when buying a home!

How much does a home inspection?

This is often the first question but the answer minimally says the quality of control. Rates are based by size, age and various other aspects of the house. inspection fees by a professional home inspector certificate typically starts under $ 300. The average price for a 2,000 square foot home is at the national level of about $ 350- $ 375. What you should pay attention to is not the fee, but the qualifications of your inspector. It is nationally certified (NHIE passed the exam)? I have been certified, if necessary?

How long does the inspection?

This depends on the size and condition of the house. Usually you can calculate 1.2 hours for every 1,000 square feet. For example, a 2,500 square foot home would take about three hours. If the company also produces the relationship in your home, it will have an additional 30-50 minutes.

do all rentals require a home inspection?

Yes and No. Although not required by law in most states, we believe that any buyer does not obtain a home inspection is doing them a disservice. They can be costly and unpleasant surprises after moving into the house and suffer from sore financial head that could easily be avoided.

I should be at the inspection?

It 'a great idea for you to be present during the inspection - if you're a buyer, seller, or house. With you there, the inspector can show any defects and explain their importance, as well as point out the maintenance features that will be useful in the future. If you can not be there, it's not a problem since the report you receive will be very detailed. If you're not present, then you should be sure to ask your inspector to explain anything that is not clear in the report. Also read the inspection agreement carefully so you understand what is covered and what is not covered in control. If there is a problem with the control or the relationship, you should raise issues quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you want the inspector to return after inspection to show things, this can be arranged and it is a good idea, however, they will pay for the time of the Commissioner on a detailed procedure, as this was not included in original service.

If the seller attend the home inspection that was ordered by the buyer?

The seller will be welcome at the time of control (it is still their home) although they should understand that the inspector is working for the buyer. The conversation that the inspector has with the buyer can be upsetting to the seller if the seller was not aware of the elements to be emphasized, or the seller may be too emotional about possible defects. This is one reason why the seller might want to consider getting their inspection before listing the house.

Can a house fail a home inspection?

No. A home inspection is an examination of the current state of your future home. It is not an evaluation, which determines the market value, or the municipal inspection, which verifies compliance with local regulations. A home inspector, therefore, can not pass or fail a house. The inspector objectively describe the physical condition of the house and choose which elements need repair or replacement.

What is included in control?

The following list is not exhaustive. Not all of these can be in control you get, but the inspector will be followed by a standard checklist for the home:
· Site drainage and grading
· Driveway
· Entry steps, handrails
· Decks
· masonry
· landscape (as it relates to home)
· retaining walls
· Roofing, gutters, chimneys and attic
· Eaves, soffits and fascia
· walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
· Foundation, basements, and crawlspaces
· garage, garage walls, floor, and door operation
· kitchen appliances (dishwasher, range / oven / hob / cooker, microwave, disposal, garbage disposal)
· Laundry appliances (washer and dryer)
· ceilings, walls, floors
· kitchen countertops, floors, and cabinets
· Windows and window seals
· interior doors and hardware
· plumbing and fixtures
· electrical system, panels, input conductors
· electrical grounding, GFCI, outlets
· of smoke (fire) detectors
· ventilation systems and insulation
· heating and control
· pipelines and distribution systems
· fireplaces
· Air conditioning and controls
· heat and controls
pumps · security elements as a means of exit, TPRV valves, railings, etc.

Other elements that are not part of the standard control can be added at an additional cost:
· Radon test gas
· Water Quality testing
· Termite Inspection (usually performed by a separate company)
· gas leak test line (normally carried out by the gas company)
· sprayer system testing
· Pool and Spa inspection
· Mold Screening (sometimes performed by a separate company)
· septic inspection system (usually performed by a separate company)
· alarm system ( usually performed by a separate company)

it is advisable to get a radon test if your future house falls into a country area with known radon infiltration, since it produces radon gas second only to smoking tumor cigarette and it can be easily mitigated with the installation of a ventilation system. It also recommends a water test to make sure you do not have bacteria in the water supply. The water can also be tested for radon.

What is not included in control?

Most people assume that everything is thoroughly inspected the inspection day. This misconception has caused many a homebuyer to be angry with them inspector. The controls that we are not exhaustive and there is a good reason for that. If you hired someone with the licenses for heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, engineering, etc. to inspect your home, it would take about 14 hours and cost about $ 2,000! He 'much more practical to hire a professional inspector who has a general knowledge of home systems, knows what to look for and can recommend further checks by a specialist, if necessary. Your inspector is also following very specific guidelines as he / she inspects your home. These are either national guidelines (ASHI - American Society of Home Inspectors, InterNACHI - International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) or state guidelines. These guidelines are carefully written to protect both your home and the inspector. Here are some examples: We are headed not to turn the system on if they were out at the time of control (security reasons); It is not allowed to move furniture (could damage something); not allowed to turn on the water if it is off (possible flooding), and not allowed to break through a sealed attic hatch (damage). The downside of this practice is that, no operating control, can not see under the furniture, and not get into the attic or crawl space, you could lose the identification of a problem. However, put into perspective, the chances of losing something serious because this is quite low, and the guideline is about security and not to damage anything in the house is good. There are other elements that 95% of the inspectors consider out a normal control, and these include the inspection most of the things that are not bolted down (installed in the house), as electronics, low voltage lighting, stoves , portable air conditioners, or specialized systems such as water purifiers, alarm systems, etc.

what if there are things that you can not Check (like snow on the roof)?

It so happens that some days the weather interfere with complete control at home! There is not much we can do about this either. If there is snow on the roof we will tell you we were able to visit him. Of course we will be looking at vigils and the attic, and all other areas where we can get an idea of ​​the condition, but we will write in the report that we were unable to inspect the roof. It is not practical for us to come back another day once the snow melts, because we have full schedules. However, you can usually pay a small fee an inspector to return and inspect one or two items were not able to control when they were there for the first time. That's just the way things go. If you ask the inspector for a re -Inspection, who usually inspect items then no additional charge (beyond the new inspection quota).

Will the inspector to walk on the roof?

The inspector will walk on the roof if it is safe, affordable and strong enough so that there is no damage done to it by walking on it. Some roofs - such as slate and tiles should not be walked on. Sometimes due to poor weather conditions, extremely steep roofs, or very high ceilings, the inspector will not be able to walk on the roof. The inspector will try to get to the edge, though, and you can also use a pair of binoculars where accessibility is a problem. They will also look at the roof from the upper windows if this is possible. There is a lot the inspector may determine from visual inspection by a staircase and floor, and will be able to tell much from inside the attic on the condition of the roof as well.

If I have my house tested for radon ? What exactly is Radon?

In many areas of the country, the answer is a definite yes. You can ask your real estate agent about this or go to the Internet for a map of radon in the country. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive that was formed during the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Radon comes from the ground and can seep into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon gas can also contaminate well water.

Health officials have determined that radon gas is a serious carcinogen that can cause lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoking. The only way to find out if your house contains radon gas is to perform a radon measurement test, your home inspector can do. Make sure that the person conducting the test was trained at the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or Radon National Council for Security (NRSB) standard.

What about a new house? you need a home inspection?

Yes! In fact, we find many more problems, some very serious, in newly built houses in houses that have been living for years. This is not due to negligence of the manufacturer - he / she has done the best job they could with subcontractors and planning - it's just that there are so many systems in a home, it is almost impossible to inspect all, and correct it before the certificate occupancy is issued. Then, for some reason, the subcontractors do not want to work on the way home, and the final details and employment are missed. It is advisable to get several inspections to professional house near the completion phases of the house to find out all you should be okay. If the home is still new, but it sat for a while 'before the sale, it is even more important to get a home inspection. We saw the water lines do not hooked, not hooked hydraulic lines, sewer lines do not hooked, not Vents connected, and a variety of other serious problems, but easily correctable!

I'm having a house built. The manufacturer assures me that will control everything . I have to have an independent inspector to make periodic inspections?

Absolutely! No matter how good the manufacturer is, he / she will miss things. They are so concerned with the house, they get so close to their work, as well as subcontractors, that important elements can, and will, overlooked. Have a professional inspector to do at least 4-6 intermediate inspections. They will be worth their weight in gold.

What is the pre-inspection agreement?

Most service professionals have a service contract, and home inspection is no different. In fact, there is enough confusion about what a home inspection should provide that the agreement is even more important. Some homeowners who get a home inspection expect everything to be perfect in the home after repairs. This is not the case! Imagine receiving a call from a homeowner, a year after saying the toilet is not Flushing - recalls that the inspection is a point in time snapshot. The inspector in the inspection contract is clear about what the inspection provides and the things that are not covered, as well as what you should do if you are not satisfied with the services. Do we really believe that reviewing this first hand you will understand much more about the inspection and happier with the results. A home inspection does not prevent the risk of future problems, nor does it guarantee that all problems will be found.

What kind of relationship I will come next inspection?

There are many versions of a "relationship", as there are inspection companies. guidelines require that the inspector deliver a written report to the client. This can range from a list of hand-written control that has multiple print copies without images and four long pages to a computer generated report professionally produced with digital images which is 35 pages long and can be converted into Adobe PDF format for 'filing and emailing. Be sure to check with your inspector about the relationship he or she uses. We recommend the report generated by the computer, since the checklist is more detailed and easier for home / buyer / seller to detail the problems with the photographs. In this modern age, we hear reports must be accessible web and e-mailable to match the more of us are using technology.

There are some great things that you can use the ratio for addition to the wealth of information that simply gives you on your new home:

· Use the report as a checklist and guide the contractor to make repairs and improvements or get estimates and quotes from multiple companies.

· Use the report as a budgetary instrument with the recommendations of the inspector and the remaining expected life of components to keep the property in perfect shape.

· If you are a vendor, use the report to make repairs and improvements, increasing the value of the home and impress the buyers. Then they re-inspection and use this second report as a marketing tool for potential buyers.

· Use the report as a "punch list" of a new inspection and as a basis for ongoing maintenance.

will be the relationship that can be sent either by email or available as an Adobe PDF file?

Yes. As discussed in the last question, you probably want your inspector to use the latest reporting technology.

And if you think that the inspector missed something ?

Inspectors are human, and yes, they do lose objects. However, they habitually use tools and advanced techniques to reduce the chance that they will lose something. This includes lists of fine-grained control, reference manuals, lists of basic computer, and an ever-methodical fact-the-same-way to physically move around your home. This is one of the reasons why an inspector may miss an item when they are interrupted. The inspector will have a way together to regain control if this happens. If, at the end, something is missing, call the inspector and discuss it. You can justify the inspector to return to see something you've found. Remember, the inspector is doing the best job they can do, and probably has not lost his voice because they were lax in their technique or did not care.

What if the inspector tells me I should have a professional engineer or a licensed plumber or other contractor professional to look at something that they found? This is not "passing the buck" ?

you may be disappointed that further investigations are necessary, but, we believe, your inspector is doing exactly what they should do. Purpose of the visit is to discover defects that affect the safety and functioning of the house; the inspector is a generalist, not a specialist. Our code of ethics, as well as the national and state guidelines dictate that only contractors who are licensed in their specialty field should work on these systems and areas. When they tell you that you need a specialist, there may be, bigger problem more critical that you need to know. If you move into the house without getting these areas checked by a qualified specialist, it might be some nasty surprises and expensive. The inspector does not want to cause more expense or worry about either, so that when they do recommend further assessments are being serious about protecting you and your investment.

Will the inspector to provide a guarantee on items inspected?

Most inspectors do not give the owner of the home warranty on the inspected items. Remember, a home inspection is a visual examination on a particular day, and the inspector can not foresee what problems might arise over time after inspection. However, some inspectors are now including a home warranty of the largest warranty companies in America - American Home Warranty Corporation, as well as others, the items inspected for 60 or 0 days. This is a great deal, and the agreement may be extended after the initial period for a relatively small amount of money.

do most inspection companies offer money-back guarantees ?

Most inspection companies do not offer a satisfaction guarantee nor do they mention in their advertisements. It 's always a good thing if you can get extra services at no additional cost from the parent company, and of course, a guarantee of satisfaction is an indication of a superior customer service. They usually have to call the monitoring company immediately after the inspection and viewing reports to tell them they are not met. If you are not satisfied with the services, you should talk to the commissioner before and let him / her solve the problem (s) you are not satisfied with the first, as the inspector is trying to make an honest living, just like the rest of us, and it is not failing on purpose.

What if my relationship back with nothing really bad at home? Should I ask for my money back

No, do not ask for the money back -? You've just got great news! Now you can complete your purchase home with peace of mind on the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. You will get valuable information about your new home from the report of Commissioner, and wants to keep such information for future reference. More importantly, you can feel confident that you are making an informed purchase decision.

What if the inspection reveals serious weaknesses?

If the inspection reveals serious flaws in the house (you define a serious flaw as something that will cost more than 2% of the purchase price to fix) then pat yourself on the back for getting a 'inspection. You just saved a lot of money. Of course it is disappointing, even agonizing, to find out that your well-designed home is now a house problem, but now we know the facts, and can either negotiate with the seller, or move on. We recommend the house so much that it will be worth it to negotiate the price and then do the repairs. Imagine, though, if I had not gotten the inspection - you would have had some very unpleasant surprises.

Can I ask my house inspector to perform repairs?

You can, but if your inspector is ethical, he / she refuses, and properly so; it is a conflict of interest for the person who has checked your home for even repair it! Inspectors are specifically excluded from this practice by the licensing authority, and it is a good practice - an inspector must remain completely impartial when he or she inspects your home.

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