What Does a Home Inspection Include?
You know you need a home inspection before you close the deal on your new house. That’s just good business. But do you know what a professional home inspection should include? Here’s what we look at:
Structure: The home’s structure is like a skeleton. It should be able to stand up to weather, gravity, and the earth around it. This includes the foundation and the framing.
Exterior: We’ll look at sidewalks, driveways, steps, windows, doors, siding, trim, surface drainage, porches, decks, and balconies.
Roofing: We check out the condition of your roof to determine its age, the roof draining systems, shingles, and see if there are loose gutters or downspouts. You’ll also be informed about the condition of skylights and chimneys as well as the potential for pooling water.
Plumbing: We’ll thoroughly examine the water supply and drainage systems, water heating equipment, and fuel storage systems. Drainage pumps and sump pumps also fall under this category. Poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots, or corrosion can indicate larger problems so we look at these things too. Water testing and a well and septic system inspection are available separately.
Electrical: You’ll be informed of the condition of service entrance wires, service panels, breakers and fuses, and disconnects.
Heating and Air Conditioning: The vents, flues, and chimneys are inspected and we’ll tell you the age of the water heater and whether the size is adequate for the house. We inspect all the central air and through-wall cooling equipment.
Interiors: We take a close look at walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, steps, stairways, railings, countertops, cabinets, and garage systems. These areas can reveal leaks, insect damage, rot, and construction defects. A thorough wood-boring pest inspection can also be conducted.
Ventilation and Insulation: We check for adequate insulation and ventilation in the attic and in unfinished areas such as crawl spaces and basements. Insulation should be appropriate for the climate. Without proper ventilation, excess moisture can lead to mold and water damage so we look for those signs too. Radon tests are available separately.
Fireplaces: Fireplaces can be dangerous if they’re not properly installed and maintained which is why we carefully examine the vent and flue.
Our home inspection is based on the size of the home. For houses up to 2,000 sq. feet the cost is $400 and $50 for each additional 500 sq. feet.