House Inspection Standards Vary So Do Your Due Diligence

Home inspection standards vary from state to state so do your due diligence. If you are a buyer wanting to make sure you are buying a good house, hire a home inspector who can explain to you the home inspection standards in your state that will affect the inspection process he will conduct on the property you are planning to buy.

It is essential that you know the home inspection standards in your state because there are many things not covered in a standard home inspection. Many buyers assume that every damage or defect in a house will be detected by the home inspector and every part and system of the house will be inspected when in fact house inspectors are limited in the places they can access.

It is important therefore that you know which parts or systems are not examined in a regular inspection so you can schedule another specialized inspection.

In some states, house inspection is not yet a state-regulated activity. These states have allowed state inspection organizations or national organizations to take over the certification of inspectors.

If your state does not license home inspectors, check the state or national inspection organization where your inspector is a member and research their inspection standards and the systems and parts of the house which are not inspected during regular inspections.

Typically, the parts or systems that are not inspected during standard inspections as listed by many organizations and states are fences, alarm systems, water softening equipment, septic systems and low voltage wiring systems such as outdoor lighting, security systems and phone lines.

Home inspectors doing regular inspection also do not inspect bug problems and potentially hazardous substances such as radon, asbestos and lead-based paint. Outbuildings are also not inspected if they are not included in the agreement. Parts of the house that cannot be physically accessed by the inspector are also not inspected.

Oftentimes also, the list of parts not inspected depends on the age of the home you are buying. The newer the property, the faster the inspection is conducted so the inspector has more time to do things such as testing oven heating capacity or microwave strength. When inspecting older homes, the inspector will focus on the roof, furnace, drainage and the hot water tank.

All in all, do your own due diligence because there are many parts excluded in a standard home inspection as inspectors and inspection associations avoid potential professional liabilities and want to get compensated for time factors and specialized training.

What House Inspectors Should Check

Houses can look okay and fine, but you may not know details that would make them fail a great deal. House inspectors are here top help you evaluate your house. Here are some areas you should make sure to be checked, as well as what details are to be inspected:

The house structure. You can check the house structure by yourself by standing at a certain distance. From there, look at the house and how it stands. Inside, you can check the walls and make sure that they do not bow. Also, the floors should be checked and made sure to be stable and solid.

Water. You have to make sure that water goes away from the house. Also, ask for the pipes to be inspected so that there are no leaks in them.

Roof. Make sure that the roof is strong. It should be installed properly so that it can serve its purpose well.

Details. The finishing details should look flawless. This would show great workmanship and also strong and quality materials.

Kitchen and bathroom. Check the sinks, bath tubs and even toilet bowls. They should work properly. Also, check and inspect the pressure of the faucet and the flush.

Electrical. This is one of the most important aspects you should check in a house. You can check for the number of electrical outlets and if it would match your needs. Also, make sure that the connections are installed properly and that the main breaker is at 100 amps at least.

Water heater. House inspectors should be able to give a comprehensive report not only of the water heater, but of the plumbing as well. Depending on your preference, you can go with an electric heater or a gas heater.

Heater. Make sure that the furnace or any heating unit in your house is running efficiently.

Rooms should be properly insulated, and air conditioning should also be properly installed.
Insulation. House inspectors would be able to give you information regarding the insulation in your house. For instance, if you are in an area with a moderate climate, you should look for insulation that is at least R-19. Also, if you are in a cold area, your insulation should be at least R-38.

Importance of Home Inspection

Carrying out a thorough inspection of a home before acquiring it is extremely important. It is recommended to hire a professional to carry out this inspection for you. Home inspections are specifically tailored to check your home for any defects that might harm the safety, resale value or livability of your property. But you need to remember that home inspections, by no means would ever provide information about cosmetic deficiencies such as walls that require fresh paint etc to you. You would yourself have to check up on these, so do not expect a home inspector to tell you about these details.

Make sure that you do not wait till an offer has been made to start the search for a home inspector. This is because of the fact that a time limit will be specified in the contract during which you must get your house inspected. The time period is usually between 7 to 14 days. So if you start looking for a home inspector at the last moment, than you would not be able to find an inspector you are satisfied with. In this case, you would have only two options; either let an inspector who you really do not trust much conduct an inspection or else acquire the house without having it inspected. Of course these alternatives are not a good idea at all.