Are you a member in good standing of a
professional inspectors organization,
such as the American Society of Home Inspectors?
What systems, plumbing, heating, electrical,
will the inspection include? (See checklist
below.)
How long will the inspection take?
How much will the inspection cost?
Can we accompany you on the inspection?
Do you have references?
Ø
Do you carry errors and omissions insurance?
What is your specialty and what sort of
continuing education have you completed?
If the inspector is for example a plumber
by training, he or she may not have the
expertise to perform a home inspection
and you inspections may not be comprehensive.
Do you provide a written report at not
extra charge?
Does the report include estimates of repair
costs?
Does your company also do repairs when
you find problems? If the answers is yes,
it my indicate a conflict of interest.
Some
of the checklist items should include but
not be limited to:
Exterior Grading
Tree Safety
Fences
Patio
Driveways
Walkways
Doors
Windows, including storms and screens
Roof, flashing, gutters and downspouts
Foundation, basement and crawl space
Interior and Exterior Walls
Structural integrity of bridging and joints
Sump Pump
Sewer, septic tanks, and well if applicable
Attic insulation and ventilation
Flooring
Fireplace, damper and flues
HVAC System
Water heater
Electricity
Plumbing fixtures, water pressure
Toilets and showers
Stove, Oven, Refrigerator, Dishwasher
Washer and Dryer
Garbage Disposal
Garage Door and opener
Alarms, smoke detectors
Other
Inspections your may want to consider:
Termite
Radon
Asbestos
Mold
Lead-testing for paint and water
Earthquake/geological if applicable
Underground storage tanks if applicable
Sewers
A
final note: If the sellers decide
to offer a lower price rather than make
repairs, be sure to obtain at least two
written estimates for the work involved
to ensure that the price is dropped in a
way to reflect real expenses.
Ways a Seller should prepare for their home
inspection:
Clean
debris from gutters and roof
Caulk around windows and doors
Seal asphalt driveways
Clean HVAC filters
Seal basement walls
Clean the chimney
Replace burned out light bulbs
Have all documentation on hand for recent
repairs and inspections
Remove firewood from contact with the
house.
Clear access t o attic, crawl space and
garage
The
Most Common Home Inspection Problems:
Faulty wiring, open junction boxes, amperage
mismatched, no wire nut on wires The Cure:
Fix
junction boxes; upgrade to at least 100
amp service
Poor grading and drainage, spongy soil
around the foundation, signs of leaking
in the basement The Cure:
Re-grade so that the ground slopes away
from the home 10 feet, remove porous material
around the foundation
Faulty gutters, clogged or bent gutters,
water not channeled away from the house. The Cure:
Preventive maintenance; gutters of adequate
size, splash pans to divert run off
Basement dampness, water stains, powdery
residue on walls, mold or mildew The Cure:
Repair gutters to channel water away from
the house, apply waterproof coatings to
basement
Roof problems, brittle or curled shingles;
brokers or missing flashings The Cure:
Apply new shingle or tear off if needed,
replacing flashings, especially around
chimneys and other protrusions
Foundation flaws, cracks in foundation,
sloping floors, sticking doors or windows The Cure:
Fill cracks with silicone caulking or
epoxy, apply waterproof coatings to exterior
Poor upkeep, needs repainting, worn carpeting,
cracked driveway The Cure:
Give your home a minor facelift
Faulty plumbing, inadequate water pressure,
slow drains, signs of leaks on ceilings. The Cure:
Clean and rout drains, reseat toilets
with a new wax ring, repair leaks.
Poor ventilation, extreme heat in attic,
vapor condensation The Cure:
Ensure that roof soffits are not blocked,
install additional roof vents, vent bathroom
and kitchen fans outside
Defective heating, cracks in the heat
exchanger or water tank; carbon monoxide
leaks The Cure:
Reseal chimney flues, replace sacrificial
anode in water heater
