What comes in a home inspection report? The home inspection report covers all systems of the home. A home inspector inspects all major accessible elements of a home. The inspection report should point out...
A home inspector inspects all major accessible elements of a home. The inspection report should point out all the positive and negative elements, as well as necessary maintenance information for the future. Each item should be rated and include estimated ages, life spans of the appliances, and manufacturers of the products. The reports are expected to give a homeowner peace of mind. Some findings can be easily and even cheaply corrected, while other problems are expensive to fix. The report is a tool to help a buyer become well informed when deciding to purchase a home or not. A home is the biggest investment a person will ever make, so a buyer should make sure it is an educated and well-informed decision.
An inspection typically costs $250-$500 per report. The report will cover all the systems of the home and built in appliances, says John Crampton, owner and founder of Crampton Inspection Service. He started his home inspection business eight years ago. The report should include heating system, central air-conditioning system, interior plumbing and electrical systems, roof, attic, insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, foundation, basement, and other visible aspects of a home. An inspector should look at the landscape as well to verify if the ground has adequate drainage. It is important for the inspector to look at outside drainage around the house and give an opinion if the drainage is ruining the foundation. Extra items can be looked at such as the fence, pool, and hot tub for an added fee. The inspector should also look at windows, doors, and garage doors. "We open all of them to make sure they are working properly," says Crampton. "We check safety items in the home as well." According to Doityourself.com, buyers have the right to be present during inspections, but a seller can require that the inspection be done by appointment only. The inspector hired should be ASHI certified and have liability insurance for errors and omissions.
Electrical and plumbing systems are looked at as well. Electrical systems and equipment is checked to ensure that they function properly and comply with electrical codes and standards. Security systems, wiring, and lighting are checked to ensure they work properly. Electrical wiring is inspected for heating and air conditioning systems, appliances, and other components. Plumbing, disposal systems, water supply, plumbing fixtures, traps, drains, and waste systems are examined and rated too.
One should also consider if the home is in a natural hazard area. According to Consumer-action.org, a natural hazard includes: hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, fires, lava flows, earthquakes, and landslides. If so, this should be taken into consideration before buying a home. A natural hazard report costs extra, but will be worth the investment to inform a buyer what they are buying.
"In any transaction, especially home purchases, buyers must do everything they can to avoid negative consequences," says the website. "Before the sale closes, buyers have the right to stipulate contingencies in the sales contract, conduct independent inspections, ask questions, and take every possible measure to protect themselves and their investments."
