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A
must have if
hiring a contractor!
 
 
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WHAT IS A HOME
INSPECTION?
By Michael Plank
A home inspection is defined as an objective visual examination of the
physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation.
In layman’s terms, having a home inspected is akin to giving it a physical
check-up. If problems or symptoms are found, the inspector may recommend further
evaluation.
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As a home buyer/seller or real estate professional, you have a right to know
exactly what a typical real estate inspection is. The following information
should give you a better understanding of exactly what your inspector should
(and should not) do for you during the course of a home inspection.
First and foremost, an inspection is a visual survey of those easily accessible
areas that an inspector can clearly see. No destructive testing or dismantling
is done during the course of an inspection, hence an inspector can only tell a
client exactly what was clearly in evidence at the time and date of the
inspection. |
The inspectors eyes are not any better than the buyers, except that the
inspector is trained to look for specific tell-tale signs and clues that may
lead to the discovery of actual or potential defects or deficiencies.
Find a Pre-Screened Home Inspector Contractor in Your Area
Inspectors base their inspections on the current industry standards provided to
them by their professional societies. These Standards tell what the inspector
will and can do, as well as what the inspector will not do. Many inspectors give
a copy of the standards to their clients. If your inspector has not given you a
copy, ask for one, or Click Here and look for your home inspectors
association.
The Industry Standards clearly spell out specific areas in which the inspector
must identify various defects and deficiencies, as well as identifying the
specific systems, components and items that are being inspected. There are many
excluded areas noted in the standards that the inspector does not have to report
on, for example; private water and sewer systems, solar systems, security
systems, etc.
The inspector is not limited by the standards and if the inspector wishes to
include additional inspection services (typically for an extra fee) then he/she
may perform as many specific inspection procedures as the client may request.
Some of these additional services may include wood-boring insect inspection,
radon testing, or a variety of environmental testing, etc.
Most inspectors will not give definitive cost estimates for repairs and
replacements since the costs can vary greatly from one contractor to another.
Inspectors typically will tell clients to secure three reliable quotes from
those contractors performing the type of repairs in question.
Life expectancies are another area that most inspectors try not to get involved
in. Every system and component in a building will have a typical life
expectancy. Some items and units may well exceed those expected life spans,
while others may fail much sooner than anticipated. An inspector may indicate to
a client, general life expectancies, but should never give exact time spans for
the above noted reasons.
The average time for an inspection on a typical 3-bedroom home usually takes 2
to 4 hours, depending upon the number of bathrooms, kitchens, fireplaces,
attics, etc., that have to be inspected. Inspections that take less than two
hours typically are considered strictly cursory, "walk-through" inspections and
provide the client with less information than a full inspection.
Many inspectors belong to national inspection organizations such as ISHI, ASHI,
and NAHI. These national organizations provide guidelines for inspectors to
perform their inspections.
All inspectors provide clients with reports. The least desirable type of report
would be an oral report, as they do not protect the client, and leave the
inspector open for misinterpretation and liability. Written reports are far more
desirable, and come in a variety of styles and formats.
The following are some of the more common types of written reports:
1. Checklist with comments
2. Rating System with comments
3. Narrative report with either a checklist or rating system
4. Pure Narrative report
Four key areas of most home/building inspections cover the exterior, the
basement or crawlspace areas, the attic or crawlspace areas and the living
areas. Inspectors typically will spend sufficient time in all of these areas to
visually look for a host of red flags, telltale clues and signs or defects and
deficiencies. As the inspector completes a system, major component or area,
he/she will then discuss the findings with the clients, noting both the positive
and negative features.
The inspected areas of a home/building will consist of all of the major visible
and accessible electro-mechanical systems as well as the major visible and
accessible structural systems and components of a building as they appeared and
functioned at the time and date of the inspection.
To locate a home inspector near you go to the American Home Inspector Directory
a national database of home inspectors. Their directory list home inspection
companies by state or zip code. Search for you home inspector is free. They have
members from ASHI, NAHI. ISHA and independent inspection organizations.
About the Author:
Article submitted by the American Home Inspector Directory
http://www.americanhomeinspectordirectory.com/
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