Home Inspector Lakeville | Home Inspection (952-583-3701)

 

You can expect several small expenses when you’re buying a home. These include application fees, homeowner’s insurance, legal fees, and more. Because you’re already spending so much money upfront, many buyers are tempted to skip a home inspection. A home inspection is a relatively insignificant expense that may help you in the long-run and at the very least give you peace of mind if there are no material issues uncovered during the inspection.

Here are a few reasons why a residential home inspection is worth the investment and the time:

  1. It may help you avoid significant expenses later- Ideally, a home inspection should reveal any major issues with the home. These aren’t things you would normally notice with a routine walk-through, such as a failing HVAC system, improper wiring, structural issues, and more.
  2. It may help you create a maintenance plan- Even if there are no significant issues with the home, you can expect to pay maintenance expenses as long as you live there. Over time, these expenses can add up. A home inspection could help you outline a maintenance schedule, so you can prepare for these costs in advance.
  3. It may help identify any safety issues- A home inspection can uncover safety issues, which may be very costly problems in addition to potential problems associated with the roof. Mold, carbon monoxide leaks, and lead are all significant safety issues that can threaten the health of your household members.
  4. It may protect you from a bad deal-  When you sign a contract to purchase a home, you can add a contingency. This is a note that lets the seller know that you only agree to purchase the home if the home inspection meets your expectations. If the home inspection reveals significant issues, you can choose to void the contract, ask the seller to make necessary repairs, or request a discounted price. Without a home inspection, you’re buying the home as-is. If any problems arise after the purchase, they’re entirely your responsibility.

When our home inspector comes out to your home they will inspect your home from top to bottom and inside and out. Below are a list of areas they will inspect: 

ROOF

  1. Covering materials
  2. Gutters
  3. Downspouts
  4. Vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, etc.
  5. General roof structure

EXTERIOR

  1. Exterior wall covering, flashing, and trim
  2. Exterior doors
  3. Walkways and driveways
  4. Stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps
  5. Porches, patios, decks, balconies and carports
  6. Railings, guards and handrails
  7. Eaves, soffits and fascia
  8. Windows
  9. Vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property
  10. Spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails

BASEMENT, FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE, AND STRUCTURE

  1. Foundation
  2. Basement
  3. Crawlspace
  4. Structural Components

HEATING

  1. Heating System
  2. Thermostat

COOLING

  1. Cooling System
  2. Thermostat

PLUMBING

  1. Main water supply shut-off valve
  2. Main fuel supply shut-off valve
  3. Water heater
  4. Fixtures and faucets
  5. Toilets
  6. Sink, tub, and shower drainage
  7. Drain, waste, and vent system
  8. Drainage sump pumps

ELECTRICAL

  1. Service drop
  2. Service conductors and attachment point
  3. Service head, gooseneck and drip loops
  4. Service mast, service conduit and raceway
  5. Electric meter and base
  6. Service-entrance conductors
  7. Main service disconnect
  8. Circuit breakers and fuses
  9. Service grounding and bonding
  10. Switches, lighting fixtures, and receptacles
  11. Ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles and circuit breakers
  12. Smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors

FIREPLACE

  1. Visible areas
  2. Lintels above the fireplace openings
  3. Dampers
  4. Cleanout doors and frames

ATTIC, INSULATION, AND VENTILATION

  1. Insulation
  2. Ventilation
  3. Mechanical exhaust systems

DOORS, WINDOWS, AND INTERIOR

  1. Doors and windows
  2. Floors, walls, and ceilings
  3. Stairs, steps, landings, stairways and ramps
  4. Railings, guards, and handrails
  5. Garage doors and door openers

OPTIONAL SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS

  1. Dishwasher
  2. Garbage disposal
  3. Ranges, cook tops, and oven
  4. Microwave
  5. Trash compactor
  6. Door bell
  7. Sprinkler system
  8. Swimming pool, spa, hot tub, and equipment
  9. Outdoor buildings
  10. Outdoor grill or smoker
  11. Gas supply system
  12. Private water well (This isn’t part of a standard test, but click here to learn more.)
  13. Septic system
  14. Whole-house vacuum
  15. Security system
  16. Other appliances or systems

When buying your home, a home inspection is a must and gives you the relief that you know what your purchasing. Give us a call today to schedule your home inspection!

Home Inspector Lakeville | Home Inspection (952-583-3701)