The areas of a home checked by a home inspector
A home is one of the biggest investments you will even make, so you want to make an informed decision when buying. The last thing you want is to purchase a property only to find out six months later that you have severe water damage in the ceilings and a termite infestation.
It makes sense to spend a small amount of money on a home inspection before making an offer to purchase, rather than paying out a fortune to fix any issues that may arise.
Why do I need to hire a home inspector?
You want peace of mind when purchasing a new home. You want to know that it is safe and healthy to live in, with no impending problems. Hiring a home inspector to take a look at the property before you make an offer to purchase can save you thousands if there is anything wrong with the property. Should there be no problems at all, at least you can rest easy that you have purchased a safe investment.
Another benefit to hiring a professional home inspector is that they know what to look for, whereas you may forget to check something or not be able to check it yourself. Not everyone is familiar with all the systems of a home, so leave it to a professional who has had the required training, to check if your new property is in perfect condition.
Can my contractor conduct an inspection?
Contractors cannot conduct inspections unless they are trained to do so. Despite having the knowledge to build a home, sometimes contractors do not have sufficient knowledge in all areas to conduct an extensive inspection. This means you will need to hire an inspector to have a look at a new building or any renovations to an existing property.
Additionally, a professional inspector will have all the necessary state-of-the-art tools and equipment to conduct the inspection correctly and intensively. For legal reasons, inspectors are also not permitted to offer any kind of repairs to a home they have inspected.
Does a newly-built property need an inspection?
The simple answer is: yes! Since building a home requires numerous tradespeople from different disciplines, such as electrical, plumbing, tiling, roofing, construction, and the like, there needs to be an inspection to ensure each discipline has completed their work efficiently.
The plumbing work may be done perfectly, but the electrical contractor could have cut corners and missed a connection. All aspects of the property need to be inspected before you move in, as any issues can be rectified before taking up residence. An inspection for a newly-built home is just as necessary as an inspection for an existing property, if not more important.
A maintenance checklist
Having a professional home inspector come in to evaluate your home before moving in is also a great way for you as the homeowner to draw up a maintenance checklist. The inspector should provide you with a report of all the aspects of your home that have been checked. You can then use this list as a checklist for your own maintenance schedule.
Knowing which things to check on and how often to check them, can help you to keep your home in tip-top shape and help to reduce expenses. Regular checks and maintenance can help you to pick up on issues before they become full-blown problems. Would you rather replace a small part on a leaking geyser at a small cost than replacing ceiling boards if the geyser bursts? Of course, you will pick the small cost with less effort.
What areas of my home need to be inspected?
While there are very many areas to be inspected in your home, there are a few commonly checked areas to guide your inspector. Here is a list of 10 areas to check:
1. Electrical grounding
Electrical grounding is important to check since if it has been done improperly it could result in accidental electric shocks or house fires.
2. Electrical fixtures and wiring
These include lighting, plug points, and fixed appliances and are difficult to check yourself since most wires are hidden away between double walls, in the ceiling, or embedded in concrete.
3. Gas lines
Flexible gas connectors, valves, and the gas lines are extremely important to check as any gas leaks can lead to tragic situations.
4. Smoke detectors
Often missed during a home inspection, smoke detectors should be checked regularly to ensure they are in working condition. In the event of a home fire, smoke detectors can make all the difference between some damage and losing your entire home.
5. Basement plumbing
Bathrooms and laundry tubs that are tucked away in the basement can often be missed during a home inspection since not all homes have them. Ensure the pipes and connections get checked in the basement to avoid any flooding disasters.
6. Ventilation for the dryer
Ensure the venting for your dryer is also checked. Inefficient venting can cause unnecessary fires too.
7. Back-flow prevention devices
Have all the back-flow prevention devices checked carefully to ensure no flooding occurs should there be any leakage in the plumbing or waterlines.
8. Water heaters
Your water heaters also need to be checked to ensure correct installation. Additionally, check the pressure release valves and the copper run-off device. Be sure to inspect these regularly too.
9. Indoor furnaces
Avoid any house fires by having your indoor furnaces checked properly. This can help you avoid any gas leaks and defective firing systems that can result in a fire.
10. Garage doors and their wiring
You may forget to check the wiring of the garage doors since the garage is often a separate part of the house. Check that all the wiring has been done correctly and the doors are in proper working order.
Has your home checked by a professional home inspector to ensure you are investing in a solid property with no hidden problems? Save your hard-earned money to make your house a comfortable home, rather than spending it on repairs that could have been easily avoided.