| Whenever a house is bought or sold a home | | | | Roofs: A home inspection company will check a roof |
| inspection is a common practice that alerts both | | | | to see if there are any old or deteriorated shingles; |
| homeowners and buyers to the condition of the | | | | as well as any leaks. Homeowners can gauge |
| property in question. | | | | whether or not a roof should be replaced. Usually tar |
| When you are in need of a home inspection in | | | | and gravel roofs last about 15 years, where wood |
| Canada or the US, you should choose only those | | | | shakes have an average life span of 20-25 years. |
| who incorporate the Standards of Practice of ASHI | | | | Structural Damage: The overall condition of main |
| CAHPI (American Society of Home Inspectors | | | | structures in the house is also analyzed during a |
| Canadian Association of Home and Property | | | | home inspection. Foundation walls are looked at. Floor |
| Inspectors). | | | | joists and rafters are of importance, as are window |
| Home inspectors will enter a home and analyze all of | | | | and door headers. Older houses are checked for |
| the major components that make up a house | | | | sagging and settlement issues. |
| purchase. This is a valuable tool for both buyers and | | | | Heating Systems: The heat distribution pipes or ducts |
| homeowners. Buyers will be able to make informed | | | | are some of things checked during a home inspection. |
| decisions on making an offer on a piece of property. | | | | A buyer will also want to know if operating controls |
| Homeowners will know the sort of repairs or | | | | are in good condition, as well as the condition of the |
| enhancements that their home needs in order to | | | | chimney. |
| secure a sale. Home inspection companies will | | | | Electrical Wiring: During a home inspection, the |
| calculate the livability, safety and overall condition of | | | | condition of the electrical wiring throughout the house |
| a home. Visual tools are used to make the | | | | is a concern. Wire connections and power overload |
| assessments. | | | | prevention are some of the aspects an inspector will |
| Home inspection visits usually take about 3 hours in | | | | take note of. |
| order to arrive at a proper assessment. Depending on | | | | Water in the Basement: When water has entered |
| how old or large a house is, it may take longer or | | | | the basement or crawl space of a home, a host of |
| less time to complete. Homebuyers will truly benefit | | | | property problems are soon to follow. This includes |
| from attending the inspection. Although a written | | | | mold and/or frame rot. Home inspectors are |
| report is furnished upon completion, it doesn't | | | | especially keen on detecting these problems, which |
| compare to the hands-on, up-front experience of | | | | are quite visible through discoloration, musty smells, |
| going through the house with the home inspection | | | | mildew and water leak stains. |
| representative. | | | | Choosing an Home Inspection company |
| Requirements of a Home Inspection Representative | | | | The average fee for a home inspection is between |
| Your home inspector should have a working, | | | | $350-$450, but the information received from an |
| extensive knowledge of all the important parts of a | | | | inspector is priceless. It could be the turning point |
| home. This includes the electrical and plumbing | | | | between a sale and a buyer going back to searching |
| systems, as well as heating and cooling apparatuses. | | | | for the perfect home. The number of home |
| The roof and attic area will be inspected, as well as | | | | inspection representatives is vast. There are home |
| all of the interior and exterior structures, including the | | | | inspectors in that offer a lower price, but you must |
| condition of the walls. | | | | beware of their credentials. |
| A home inspection representative will have taken | | | | The best way to determine their competence is to |
| courses to provide you with a proper analysis, as well | | | | request references. Sometimes, contacting past |
| as possess the necessary tools to complete | | | | clients will give you insight as to how capable a |
| inspections. These home inspection assessments can | | | | potential home inspector is. When you are ready to |
| be used to gauge the amount of money it will take | | | | begin your search, keep the following questions on |
| to conduct repairs on a new home purchase. All of | | | | hand: |
| the gathered information is taken into account when | | | | 1) How long have you been in the home inspection |
| placing a real estate offer. Qualified home inspectors | | | | business? |
| are able to detect the flaws of a home that are not | | | | 2) How many home inspections have you completed? |
| easily recognizable to the untrained eye. Below, you | | | | 3) What qualifications do you possess? |
| will find what to expect when an home inspector | | | | 4) How long does it take for you to inspect a home? |
| conducts a review of the inner and outer areas of a | | | | 5) How much do your services cost? |
| house: | | | | 6) Can I come along with you on the inspection? |
| Plumbing: While conducting a home inspection, old | | | | 7) Are wood stoves and fireplaces inspected? |
| piping materials, faulty fixtures, water pumps and | | | | 8) Can you approximate costs for potential repairs? |
| water heaters are some of the concerns that an | | | | 9) What are the hours and days of your availability? |
| inspector will focus on. Plumbing defects are one of | | | | 10) Can you provide references of inspections you |
| the main issues a homeowner and/or buyers will face | | | | have done in the past? |
| in terms of repairs. | | | | |