Building inspections and pest inspections are two important aspects of home ownership. They help you avoid major health and safety hazards as well as minor issues that can cause problems down the road.
Here’s everything you need to know about building and pest inspections, including how they work, what to expect on your inspection day, and why you should schedule one before buying a new house.
What Is A Home Inspection?
A home inspection is an in-depth analysis of a property by trained professionals who inspect every aspect of the house for signs of structural damage, electrical or plumbing issues, fire hazards, roof leaks, termite infestation, mold, moisture, radon gas and more.
During this process, an inspector will typically perform three main categories of tasks. These include:
- Structural Inspections
This involves testing the strength of walls, floors, ceiling beams, etc., to see if they have any signs of deterioration. It also includes a visual analysis of other parts of the structure such as windows, doors, floor joists and foundation. If there are any signs of structural weakness, it could result in severe damage to the house, so the inspector will recommend repairs before moving forward with the sale.
- Electrical and Plumbing Inspections
These involve checking outlets, wiring, switches, fuses, circuit breakers, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning units, refrigerators, electric stoves, and other appliances. Any significant electrical or plumbing issue will be noted during this part of the inspection.
- Fire Safety Inspections
Inspectors will inspect all areas around fireplaces, woodstoves, chimneys, flues, ductwork, smoke detectors, and other fire safety items. In addition, they will check for proper use of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and other fire safety equipment.
When preparing for a home inspection, it’s a good idea to do some research on the area where you plan to buy. This way, you’ll be able to identify any potential problems ahead of time.
You might also want to make arrangements for the day of the inspection. For instance, it’s not uncommon for inspectors to come back multiple times over the course of their report. So, if possible, try to find someone familiar with the area where you’re looking to buy.
Building and pest inspections are having some common types and those we will discuss here. One more thing which we will talk about here is the importance of pest inspections for your own buildings. So if you have any of these questions you can read this article to get a better understanding of it. Read this article very carefully before your first test.
Why Do You Need A Home Inspection?
Home inspections are important because they give prospective buyers an accurate picture of the house’s condition without relying solely on a seller’s word.
For example, let’s say the seller tells you that the house has been inspected and found to be structurally sound. But after moving into the house, you discover cracks in the basement wall. Or maybe you notice a leaky pipe under the kitchen sink, which you never saw before. Even though the seller claims the pipes were fixed, there’s no way to know for sure unless you do your own inspection first.
Home inspections also provide peace of mind. If anything does go wrong with the house, you’ll have proof in writing that it was identified and repaired prior to closing. That means you won’t end up paying out thousands of dollars for unnecessary repairs when you move into the house.
If the house has termites, pests or other serious issues, these are things that most people don’t consider until they’ve already moved in. By conducting a home inspection, an inspector can catch those problems early enough to prevent them from becoming big issues before you close on the deal.
How To Schedule A Home Inspection
There are many reputable companies that offer home inspections. The key to finding the right company is to ask friends and family about their experiences with local contractors. You can also look online for reviews and ratings to get a feel for the quality of work provided by different companies.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of candidates, contact each one directly to arrange a date and time for the inspection. Be sure to ask questions about the types of services you’ll receive, what kind of documentation they’ll produce, what your responsibilities will be during the inspection, and who’s going to pay for it.
After scheduling an appointment, be sure to meet the inspector at the location he/she recommends. If you like the looks of a particular place, then take him/her there instead of driving all over town. Also, bring along a notebook and pen to capture any details about the house that you may forget to write down later.
Here’s a short checklist of things to bring along when meeting the inspector:
- Your ID (just in case)
- Proof of insurance
- Photocopies of all contracts
- Photocopy of your credit history
- Copies of bank statements and tax returns
- List of personal belongings at current residence (if applicable)
- Copy of your lease agreement
- Payment receipts for all major expenses while living in the house
- Information about any pets
- Photos of your children
- Names and phone numbers of references
When you arrive for the inspection, you’ll be asked to complete a survey detailing your expectations and any concerns you have about the house. After the inspection is complete, you’ll receive a written report summarizing its findings. Finally, you’ll sign off on it and return it to the inspector.
To save money, consider using the same contractor for both inspections. Doing so allows you to compare notes and ensures that the two reports contain the same information.
Even if you decide to hire a separate contractor for the second inspection, you should have everything ready beforehand so that you can go through everything together. Otherwise, you’ll spend extra time waiting for the inspector to finish his report before getting started on yours.
