Most real estate transactions will require building inspections in order to complete the sale of the property. Home inspectors are hired to evaluate all the factors in a structure that will effect the living conditions therein. A home inspection will include but is not limited to the heating and air conditioning systems, the drainage systems, the plumbing systems, the electrical system, and the structural and foundational elements. A home inspection will not include specific tests, such as toxic mold inspections or radon concentration tests. Since not all home inspection companies offer identical services, when hiring a home inspector, it is important to keep in mind a few key aspects of the home inspection trade.
First, all home inspectors should carry proof of licensure. Since it will attract business to display the fact a home inspection business is fully licensed, any home inspector that does readily produce proof of licensure should be considered suspect.
When hiring a home inspector, it is important to outline with the inspector which specific areas of the home will be covered by the inspection. This outline should be mutually agreed upon before any work has been done. Also, the points that were agreed to be covered should be reflected in the post-inspection report.
A home inspection should not be a walk through. The inspector should take notes on his observations. The notes should not make engineering judgments or evaluations, but should merely comment on the aspects of the living space that are visually observable, such as “there were cracks in the mortar work” or “there was mold on the basement wall”. The post inspection report should be presented to the client within a reasonable and business-like time frame, usually within three business days from the time of the inspection.
The extent of a home inspection may vary upon the season and the climate in the region. For instance, if a roof is covered with snow and ice, the inspector will not put his safety at risk.
Lastly, it is important to remember never to agree to a home inspection contract that only pays the inspector if the real estate transaction is completed. If the inspector knows that his payment is dependent upon a clean post inspection report, he will be less inclined to conduct a complete and unbiased inspection. Also, be wary of real estate agents who recommend the home inspector. Try to hire an impartial inspector to protect yourself from any unethical prearrangements among real estate professionals.
home-inspection
