A home inspector will conduct a visual inspection of all of the components of a home that are accessible. He will also check the operation of any appliances that are to be part of the sale, as well as the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. He will look for structural and situational problems that might represent current or future problems. The goal is to give you an accurate assessment of the overall condition of the property, both good and bad, along with recommendations of what should be done to bring the property up to accepted standards.
What is not included in a property inspection?
Home inspectors aren’t expected to check for any living organisms such as termites, other insects, or for mold. Nor do they conduct fire safety inspections. However, most inspectors have some knowledge of these subjects and if they observe any discrepancies, they will usually call them to your attention so you can have appropriate experts investigate further.
What is included in a typical property inspection?
- A visual check of the foundation to identify cracks, deterioration, or settling.
- A visual inspection of the roof condition looking for damaged or missing shingles, this may be conducted from the ground, possibly using binoculars.
- A visual inspection of the siding for cracked, warped, misaligned, dented, or missing pieces.
- A check of the plumbing system, to include the water pressure, proper shut off of faucets, flushing of toilets, and free flowing drains.
- A check of the general operational function of appliances, including heating and cooling systems, and water heaters.
- A visual check of the electrical system, which may include checking ground fault interrupter functions, and a visual check for the type of wiring used.
This list only covers the highlights of what is done during a property inspection. There are actually hundreds of items checked.
