Inspection  FAQ

Do I need a home inspection?

The short answer is, yes. Buying a new home is an expensive investment, possibly the largest one you’ll ever make. A home inspection brings more clarity to what it is that you’re buying and will help to mitigate the risk involved in such a purchase.

There are many potential problems that could either go unnoticed, or could lead to bigger problems, that a home inspector is trained to uncover.

Can I inspect the home myself?

I very strongly advise against attempting to perform the property inspection yourself, for a number of reasons. Even if you do have a lot of experience with the systems of a home, it is still advised to hire a professional home inspector. Here are some reasons to hire a trained and certified professional:

1. It’s far too easy to become emotionally attached to a home. It’s very important to have an objective party perform the inspection to provide a professional, unbiased assessment.

2. A professional home inspector has been trained to look for specific issues, and is familiar with a wide variety of situations.

3. A good home inspector knows the difference between major and minor issues, and which minor issues can lead to major problems down the road.

How long does a home inspection take?

A home inspection can vary greatly, depending on the size of the home and number of issues discovered. When receiving a home inspection, it is important that your inspector focuses on the details. An inspection that takes less than 2 hours is generally not thorough enough to be useful.

When you request your inspection, I can give you a better idea as to how long the process will take.

May I attend the inspection?

Absolutely! While your presence is not required, I strongly encourage you to come along for the inspection. You’ll have a much better idea of the condition of the home when you can see any issues first-hand.

You’ll be able to benefit a lot more from the inspector’s experience and knowledge if you are present at the inspection. You can ask questions and receive home maintenance tips — especially helpful for first-time home buyers.

If I’m selling a house, should I get a pre-listing home inspection?

Yes, there are many positive outcomes for you as a seller to have a pre-listing inspection. You’re more likely to have a quick sale if the house has already been properly inspected. You can opt to provide potential buyers with a copy of the inspection report, or you can address any issues before listing the house for sale. Major problems discovered during a home inspection may result in serious transaction delays. If you know about these problems ahead of time, you’ll be in a better position for a smooth transaction.

As the seller, there a few things you can do to prepare for the inspection. Being prepared will help the inspection go smoothly and increase your home’s appeal to potential buyers. Be sure to apply these steps:

1. Cleanup
This may be stating the obvious, but it’s imperative that your house is as clean as possible. Not only does this increase your home’s appeal, but it also helps the inspector by making it easier to move around and access various areas of interest.

2. Utilities are Connected
Utilities need to be connected so the inspector can test things like water flow, electrical outlets, water heaters, furnace, air conditioning, and so on. Without the utilities connected, the home inspector will have no choice but to either reschedule or suggest inspection by a specialist.

3. Appliances are Connected and Working
Appliances that are not connected to water, power, oil, or gas cannot be turned on by the home inspector. All appliances should be working properly, and abandoned appliances should be removed.

4. Brush and Other Exterior Obstructions
In the Winter, try to provide a path around your house. In the Summer, clear away any overgrowth or dead branches that come into contact with the home.

5. House Number
This may seem silly, but make sure the house number is visible from the street. People are going to need to check out the house, so you’ll want to make sure they can find it without any trouble.