|
Are you confused about home inspectors?
We always advise our clients to hire a Certified Home Inspector or a structural Engineer to do an inspector on the home they buying before going to contract.
Questions to Ask a Home Inspector
- Do you have a current license?
- Do you carry professional errors and omission insurance? May I have a copy of the policy?
- What are your qualifications? Are you a member of the American Association of Home Inspectors?
- Do you provide any guarantees of your work?
- What specifically will the inspection cover?
- What type of report will I receive after the inspection?
- How long will the inspection take and how long will it take to receive the report?
- How much will the inspection cost and?
- Do you have a list of your past clients that I may speak with?
What Your Home Inspection Should Cover
Siding: Look for dents or buckling
Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage
Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate
Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping
Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts
Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall that is pulling away
Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room
Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation
Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating
Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating; Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors.
Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor-cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism
Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell
Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof
Septic Tanks (if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your familyDriveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains
How Comprehensive Is Your Home Warranty?
Check your home warranty policy to see which of the following items are covered. Also check to see if the policy covers the full replacement cost of an item.
- Plumbing Electrical Systems
- Water Heater
- Furnace Heating
- Ducts Water Pump
- Dishwasher/Stove/Cook-top/OvensMicrowave/RefrigeratorWasher/Dryer
- Swimming Pool (may be optional)
|
