PREPARING FOR YOUR HOME INSPECTION
  • Gathering together pertinent information
Gather together pertinent information about the home that may be useful to the Inspector, when you meet him for the Inspection. These items could include the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Data sheet, which gives the square footage of the house, the year it was built, and other important information; a copy of the Seller’s Disclosure Statement, which can be helpful when trying to establish historical continuity; copies of any previous Home Inspections; and any other useful information you may have. The more information that your Home Inspector has about the property he is inspecting, the better he is able to do his job.
  • Prepare Questions
Make a list of any questions or concerns you have about the house, based upon your initial visit. If you are not familiar with the workings of a particular type of system or appliance in the house, note this as well. Are you planning to remodel after you move in? Maybe enlarge a room and move some walls but are not sure whether or not you can? Make note of this, too. Share your questions and concerns with your Inspector, when you meet at the property. Remember, this is your Inspection! The purpose of the Inspection is not only to identify potential significant defects, but also to answer questions you may have about the operation and maintenance of the components in the house.

  • Pad and Pencil
Be sure to bring something to take notes with. Your inspector will likely share valuable insights into the workings of your home, that may be worth noting. You may also wish to record measurement of room sizes, floor layout, lot layout, etc.

Some Sellers’ will not permit pictures to be taken of the inside of the home, unless prior permission is granted. If you want to take pictures, you should have your Realtor contact the Seller for permission, prior to the inspection.

  • Consider Optional Testing
In addition to a general Home Inspection, you should be aware that optional testing in certain specific areas, is often desirable. Pest Inspections, Lead Paint Testing, Asbestos Testing, etc., are several of the more commonly requested additional tests. Under regular circumstances we should be able to coordinate any additional testing for you. These optional tests are not included in our standard fee, so be sure to ask about the extra costs involved.

Be sure to contact us in advance so we can prepare and coordinate the additional tests for you. If you plan on having any of these tests performed as a part of the general Home Inspection, often times they must be agreed upon ahead of time, and written into your Purchase Agreement with the Seller. You should contact your Realtor or your Attorney, to be sure that the specific additional test(s) you want performed is specified in your Purchase Agreement.

  • What if I am unable to attend the inspection?
Obviously, being able to walk through the house and talk face-to-face with the Inspector is the best option. However, there are many times, due to various circumstances, where a buyer cannot be physically present for the Home Inspection. This is a frequent occurrence, and there are several steps you can take to help ensure that the information you need is conveyed to you in an accurate and timely manner.

If you can’t personally be present at the Home Inspection then:
  1. Have a friend or relative join the Inspector at the home. Convey to them any specific questions or concerns you have, so they can relay this information to the Inspector. Have them take notes for you. Always try to talk to your Inspector by telephone after the Home Inspection!
  2. Talk to your Inspector by telephone after the Home Inspection. It is important to connect with your Inspector verbally, as soon after the Inspection as possible. He will be able to review his notes with you, and summarize what the major issues are (if any), and what areas are in need of near term maintenance. This first-hand information is invaluable in giving you a clear picture of the condition of your home. You need to be made aware of any potentially significant defects, as soon as possible.
  3. Your Realtor can assist by accompanying the Home Inspector, taking notes for you.
 
  • Should the seller be home during the inspection?
Generally, no. There are some things that work, and then there are some things that don’t work. Having the Seller present during an Inspection is something that often does not work! A professional Home Inspection, by its very design, is intended to be thorough and complete. Often times a Seller can become defensive because he feels the privacy of his home is being invaded. Sometimes a Seller can even become angry, if defects are found, or areas of "do-it-yourself" renovations are noted.

Remember, this is your inspection. This is the time for you and the Inspector to look at the house, and be able to freely discuss what you are seeing without fear of hurting someone’s (the Seller’s) feelings. When a Home Inspection is scheduled, it is important to emphasize this to your Realtor.

If you happen to be purchasing a home without the services of a Realtor, then the responsibility of interacting directly with the Seller, will be totally up to you. It can sometimes be difficult asking a Seller not to be present, during the Inspection. After all, this is still his home. We have found, however, that if at all possible, it is the best route to take.

DURING THE INSPECTION...
  • Important Points
    1. Be sure and try to personally attend the Inspection.
      A typical Home Inspection takes between 1½ to three hours. It is well worth being able to learn first hand, about the home and its systems.
    2. The Home Inspector will be fully equipped...
      with all the necessary tools and testing equipment needed to perform a full inspection (ladder, flashlight, electronic testing equipment for carbon monoxide, electrical circuit analyzer, moisture meter, level, etc.).
    3. Follow the Inspector and ask questions.
      Remember, this is your Inspection! No question is unimportant, or foolish. Learn as much as you can.
    4. Be sure that all the major components are evaluated.
      All of the accessible components in the house should be evaluated, unless specifically stipulated by your Inspector. You should not expect the Inspector to test certain specialty items such as water treatment systems, central alarm systems, lawn sprinkling systems, swimming pools and hot tubs, etc. If any such exist in the home, contact us to see if an outside specialist should be called in to evaluate them.
    5. Obtain a Repair Items List.
      At the conclusion of the Inspection you or your Realtor, will receive a verbal list of any major defects. This way you have the information you need to make an informed decision about your purchase, as soon as the Inspection is completed. The full written copy of the Inspection Report should follow shortly thereafter.

AFTER THE INSPECTION...
You should know
~ The condition of the home you are purchasing (including positive and negative aspects).
~ What repairs are needed, as well as the relative urgency of the repairs. You also should know a proper course of corrective action to take if repairs are needed.
~ If there are any unsafe conditions that have the potential to affect you.

You should expect
~ A clearly written, easy to understand Home Inspection Report. First, the Report should clearly identify any potential significant defects that will affect your buying decision. Second, it should clearly identify any areas in need of near term repairs, or any components that are reaching the end of their useful life span.
~ The Home Inspector to answer any questions you have about the report.
~ The Home Inspector to be a resource as to future questions you may have. 

You should not expect
~ The Home Inspector to offer to repair or replace, for a fee, any defects noted in the inspection. This would be a definite conflict of interest, which would then tend to cast doubt on the Home Inspectors findings.

904.310.4006 or ​303.325.6438  [email protected]