Home Inspection FAQs for House Buyers

What is a home inspection? How does it work?

Home inspection is a comprehensive examination that measures the condition of a residence, including its major structures, components, and systems. This is usually done as part of real estate negotiations so buyers can know the quality and integrity of their desired house before they make the purchase. The process must always adhere to certain standards in the field, but the inspectors at work may have their own home inspection checklist which they may add or integrate to this general guideline.

In any case, whatever is included in these standards must be discussed with the client before carrying out the inspection job, so all concerned parties are well-informed of the work’s scope. Afterward, the inspector would provide a written report of their findings along with recommendations and some photos, if necessary.

Is home inspection worth it?

Definitely! Buying a new house is a huge investment and, understandably, would cost a lot of money. Therefore, it’s important for house buyers to be sure of the quality of the home they’re going to purchase. If you opt for a home inspection before buying a house, then your inspector would be able to discover and record flaws in the structure that may or may not be easily detected during a regular walk-through or tour of the house. And with that, a home buyer would be able to know and prepare for which parts of the house need repairs. The service keeps you from being “fooled” into buying a seemingly beautiful house that may have underlying structural concerns.

How much do home inspections cost?

Inspection services don’t have a fixed price. The cost would largely depend on the scale of the examination, the local market, the region, and many other variables. Before the inspection, all these elements that could affect the examination’s costs and outcomes should be laid out and discussed beforehand. If you would like to get a quote of our rates and services, simply head over to our Contact page and send us a message.

How long do home inspections usually take?

The process would depend on the size, age, and area of the home to be inspected. The home inspector’s internal protocols would also affect this. Some jobs take up to 3 hours, but this may become even longer if the home inspection includes more square feet of area and outbuildings, and if supplemental services, such as additional testing for mold, lead, or asbestos, are required.

When should I have a home inspection done?

During a real estate negotiation, home inspection usually takes place after the property’s price has been agreed upon, but hasn’t been closed and finalized yet. However, there are rare cases when the inspection is scheduled to take place after the deal is closed.

Does home inspection affect appraisal?

Home appraisal and home inspection are two extremely different processes with their own goals and priorities. The appraiser usually prioritizes the home’s value based on its outward desirability (curb appeal, neighbors, location, etc.), while the inspector looks for structural conditions to inform the home’s buyer about any existing and possible future problems.

What’s a qualified home inspector like?

Regulations for home inspectors are pretty loose for some localities, which means that anyone can claim to be one. But those who are truly qualified hold licenses and certifications from authoritative organizations in the field. These are proofs of their skills, training, and experiences. So for guaranteed service, you should only hire licensed inspectors.

What happens if problems are found during the inspection?

Problems can range from easy fixes, such as dirty air filters, to extreme ones, such as wood-damaging pest infestations. Whatever the case, the inspection report and the inspectors themselves must make the potential home buyer understand the severity of the damages and how they should be addressed. On that note, most real estate negotiations should be closed with the buyer already knowledgeable of all their new property’s defects.