WHAT
IS A HOME INSPECTION?
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The profession known as Home Inspection has developed to
help people better understand the condition of what they are buying.
Most houses cannot be inspected in less than two hours. Depending upon
the age, condition and size of the house, the inspection can take
longer.
The inspector's purpose should be to try to figure out what you need to
know. You need to know if there is anything about the house that would
seriously affect habitability or force you to spend a lot of money you
were not planning on. To figure this out, the inspector should
concentrate on 8 major items: |
- Roof
- Foundation
- Structure
- Plumbing System
- Electrical System
- Heating System
- water/Septic System
- Insect Evidence
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Important secondary building components should also be addressed such
as: siding, windows, drainage, cooling system, hot water and finishes.
To make these evaluations, the inspector should:
Observe the roof, inspect the foundation and structures for
deterioration, operate the heating equipment, observe accessible
crawlspaces and attics, remove circuit breaker panel covers to inspect
wires, operate water fixtures and conduct other inspections as agreed
upon.
The inspection should be documented by a full written report, discussing
noteworthy observations. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE INSPECTOR'S
OBSERVATIONS BE PUT IN PERSPECTIVE BY CLEARLY WRITTEN RECOMMENDATIONS.
No house is perfect. The professional Home Inspector can help you
distinguish between minor imperfections and major concerns. Many homes
also have components that are significantly better than average, these
are worthy of mention.
It is more likely that your house will not have a major problem. Still,
by attending the inspection, you will gain understanding of what you are
buying. Knowing mechanical operation, maintenance needs, and where
things are will be important to you. Do your best to be there - it's a
valuable learning experience. |
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