| Doesn't the Home Inspector find everything? | | | | Remember above where I said this is a "visual" |
| The Home inspector is a "Generalist". This means that | | | | inspection? Visual is the key word! If the Inspector |
| they are giving you a general overview of the | | | | cannot see or access something, it will not be |
| condition of the property based on a "visual" | | | | reported on. The Inspector will usually include |
| inspection. Their inspection is not in-depth or | | | | information indicating if something could not be |
| exhaustive in any area but it is thorough and covers | | | | accessed and why. There are a couple of areas |
| all the major systems of the home. This is due to a | | | | where this applies: |
| number of factors: | | | | - The underground portion of the sewer line, |
| - Most Home Inspectors follow a set of "Standards | | | | especially the portion that runs from the house out |
| of Practice" (SoPs) that dictate what is inspected, | | | | to the city street or to the septic tank in the case |
| what is NOT inspected and how it is reported. These | | | | of a private sewage disposal system. |
| standards should be made available to you at the | | | | - The interior of any fireplace flues and chimneys. |
| time of the Inspection. | | | | - Inside walls or ceilings, behind tile and wall paper or |
| - To do an in-depth evaluation of all the items and | | | | behind areas blocked or obscured by the sellers |
| systems involved in a typical home inspection would | | | | furniture or stored items. (like in attics or garages and |
| take many hours and cost much more than than | | | | basements) These areas are the target of some of |
| most would be willing to pay. | | | | those "specialty inspections" performed by experts in |
| - Many times, depending on the condition of the | | | | those particular areas with specialized (and expensive) |
| property, this exhaustive a level of inspection is not | | | | equipment. |
| called for. | | | | These areas are a given. They should be given a high |
| Think of the Home Inspector as being like the | | | | priority for further evaluation. |
| Primary Care Physician for your new home. He will do | | | | Additional areas of more in-depth evaluation by an |
| a general, visual inspection of the major components | | | | expert are; the electrical system, roofing, plumbing |
| of the home and suggest additional, in-depth | | | | HVAC and foundation. |
| evaluation by a specialist in that particular system or | | | | If the Home Inspector finds significant or life |
| component. You most likely do not need a full-on | | | | threatening issues in these areas they will |
| roofing, electrical, plumbing, foundation and HVAC | | | | recommend additional evaluation by a licensed |
| inspection. You might, but probably not. In the long | | | | contractor specialist. |
| run, this saves you money. Additional inspections cost | | | | So now you know what to expect of the Home |
| money. From $50 to $350 or more each. Mold | | | | Inspector and their inspection and that he is not |
| inspections cost a lot more in many cases. | | | | necessarily the last Inspector you will see. |