A home inspection is one of the most crucial things to do when buying a house. It may be useful to know what you can expect if this is the first time that your property has been inspected by professionals. You might be wondering what a home inspection covers, how much it costs and what you should look out for. You will have a better chance of success if you go into the process more informed.
What is a home inspection and what does it cover?
A home inspection in Gwinnett is simply a quick examination of the current state of a house. A home inspection is designed to detect any issues with the structure or functionality of the home. Home inspections are usually conducted by property inspectors who have been hired by homebuyers.
Inspectors vary in terms of their experience, abilities and thoroughness. However, a good one will examine the key features and components of the house before producing a written report. It is recommended that you attend the entire inspection, which can last between two and three hours. You will better understand the issues that the inspector is trying to communicate to you if you are able to see them.
What should a good home inspection cover?
Although every home inspection will be different, there are some essentials that all property inspectors should check for:
- Ceilings must be flat and free from stains/cracks.
- The exterior walls should be painted with a thick coat that does not peel, and free of any major stains or damaged siding. The bottoms of walls that are close to the soil may indicate a termite infestation.
- If your home has a Basement it should be well insulated, and there should not be any signs of foundation weakness or water damage.
- Check the yard for drainage. Water should not be able to enter your house.
- A roof must be functional and stable. It should also have shingles that are not damaged. Vents, gutters and chimneys should all be functional.
- All Windows must be aligned correctly and drip caps should be installed. It is best to use stormproof windows.
- Doors should be free from rot and decay
- The bathroom must have all fixtures fully functional (sink, toilets, baths, etc.). The bathroom should have a functioning exhaust fan.
- Attic must be well ventilated, and should show no signs that water has leaked or caused damage.
- The circuit breaker, and the electrical system grounding must be compliant with code. Outlets must be functional.
- The garage must have a good foundation, a garage opener that works, and an electrical system with outlets and circuits up to code. Ceilings, walls and floors must not be damaged. The water heater in the garage must be placed high enough to avoid an explosion if gasoline fumes mix with the flame of the heater.
- Smoke Detectors must be present and functional in all locations.
- In the home, there should be running. The temperature of the water should be controlled and adequate. Pipes should be free of leaks or damage.
- The kitchen should be equipped with functional appliances. The kitchen should be well insulated and have functional appliances (stove, fridge, dishwasher etc.).
- All heating and cooling should be in good working order and without damage.
What does a home inspection NOT cover?
A home inspection is only a superficial search. These inspections are usually limited to the most obvious problems and may not address deeper issues. A property inspector may not be aware of the damage to your home’s foundation (below the flooring).
The inspection will not include the interior of walls, pipes, chimneys, sewer lines or behind electrical panels. Also, they will not include termite damage inspections, mold tests, or asbestos checks. These services are offered by some home inspectors as an additional fee. However, they are not required.
When your property inspector suspects that there is a problem with the home, he or she will usually not make a specific recommendation. The majority of inspectors have a list of professionals to whom they can refer for specific problems. These experts may charge you extra fees for their services.
Why you need a home inspection before closing on your house
A home inspection will allow you to discover major issues with the property prior to closing a deal. You may end up paying more for a foundation crack or an unstable roof than you expected.
Some sellers will even let you add home inspections to your contract as contingency. You can walk away from the deal if the property fails to pass the home inspection. You can go a step farther and ask the seller to cover the repair costs, or you can adjust the price to include the cost of repairs.
The reports are also a valuable resource for first time buyers. The report will show which items are in need of repair and which ones need to be replaced. The report should also indicate which items have passed inspection, but still need to be closely monitored in the future.
How to conduct a home inspection
The Home Inspection
To conduct a successful inspection, the first step is to choose the right inspector. While it may be tempting, doing some research before hiring an inspector can make all the difference. You should compare the qualifications, experience, and technical abilities of each candidate to find the best fit for your company and needs.
Ask the inspector if they are a member of the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors, or any other groups similar. If your inspector belongs to an industry association, they will be bound by specific codes and standards. This can serve as proof of their expertise and competency.
Ask your inspector what is covered and not covered in their assessment. You can ask your inspector to explain what they will and won’t cover in their assessment. Take pictures of any damage or defects.
After the Home Inspection
Upon completion of the inspection, certain violations may require repairs. Safety issues, structural defects and/or violations of building codes may be included. You will have a number of options as a buyer.
You can walk away from a sale if the damage is too severe if an inspection clause has been included in the contract. You can decide to proceed with the sale, but you may also choose to demand that the seller make repairs (if this is part of the contract), or pay for them yourself.
The Final Walkthrough
The final walkthrough occurs 24 hours prior to the closing date of the sale. This is not a home-inspection, nor is this the time to negotiate. The final walkthrough’s goal is to make sure that the property is in the same condition as you agreed it would be when you bought it. The property should have already been cleaned and any agreed-upon repair work should be completed.
Check the walls, ceilings and floors. Run the heating and air conditioning units. Test all of the doors and windows.
You may be able walk away from a purchase if the property doesn’t meet the conditions agreed upon during the final walkthrough. Bring a camera to document any defects, damages, or unfulfilled contracts.
While important, the home inspection process can be difficult. You may be a first time home buyer or simply need some extra help. Consider working with a mortgage broker. You can save a lot of time and hassle by working with a broker to negotiate repairs or reimbursements from the seller.
