The Purpose of a Home Inspection
A home inspection is your opportunity to find out the true condition of the house you’re buying. Your contract may say that your offer is contingent on the home inspection. This gives you the chance to back out of the sale legally if the home inspection uncovers significant repair needs or safety concerns. It will also give you leverage to negotiate a lower price or request that the seller makes repairs.
Order a Home Inspection to Receive a Comprehensive Report
A qualified home inspector will look at the various systems of the home and provide a full report that details the findings. Home inspectors usually encourage their clients to attend the inspection. The inspector will explain what he or she finds.
Your inspection report will cover:
- Minor defects, major defects, and safety issues
- Items that need to be serviced, repaired, or completely replaced
- Issues that can be dealt with later but require close monitoring
- Regular maintenance that needs to be done after assuming homeownership
What Does a Home Inspection Cover?
Exterior of Home
The exterior of the home’s structure is inspected. This includes crawl spaces underneath the house. The exterior walls are examined for signs of damage, missing siding, and problems with the windows. The inspector looks for cracks and signs of settling in the foundation. The grading is assessed to make sure water isn’t likely to seep into the house and cause long-term damage.
Garage
The garage door is inspected to verify that it opens and closes correctly. Garage ventilation and framing are assessed. Your inspector will make sure that appliances in the garage like the water heater are installed correctly and document their condition.
Roof
The roofing system is possibly the most important system of the home, as it protects everything underneath it from the elements. It’s important to know if there are any damages to the roof materials, leaks, and problems with components like the flashing and gutters.
Order a Home Inspection to Understand Interior Systems
The plumbing, wiring, and HVAC systems must be thoroughly inspected to gain an understanding of the home’s condition. The appliances, bathrooms, laundry room, and kitchen are also major areas covered by a home inspection. All systems and components that are visible and accessible will be inspected and included in a comprehensive report with photos and descriptions. Order a home inspection before closing on your new house to make responsible decisions about your investment.
Tri-County Inspection and Consulting Services offers home inspections to buyers in the Greater Charlotte area. Contact us to request our services.