Home Inspections

You can have your home inspected at any time, but the most common reason for an inspection is when a buyer has made an offer on the house and hasn't yet closed. These inspections help reveal problems to address prior to closing, as well as issues that could scuttle the house sale. Sometimes home sellers hire an inspector to help address problems before it goes up for sale. When remodeling your home before putting it on the market, it is important to keep home inspections in mind.

What to Expect from a Home Inspection: A home inspection won't uncover every problem in a house, but a good inspection should reveal any material defects, something that would lower the home's value and/or represent a significant safety hazard to the inhabitants.

A thorough home inspection covers the following areas:

• Foundation,
• Soundness of the house's structure,
• Whole house plumbing,
• Electrical system,
• Heating and cooling system,
• Roof and gutters,
• Basement, attic, and crawl space,
• Insulation,
• Walls, floors, and ceilings,
• Porch or deck,
• Bathroom and kitchen plumbing,
• Water heater,
• Any large appliances,
• At least some of the lights and sockets, and
• At least some of the windows and doors.

Keep these things in mind while remodeling your home to prevent any extra spending you could encounter after the inspection. For instance, after any work or renovations, check things such as plumbing or electricity for damage that the contractor may have caused. You should also check the work that was just completed to ensure you got the results you envisioned. Work with a reputable contractor that guarantees his or her work for added protection.

If there are parts of your house that you know would not pass inspection, consider remodeling them first. That way the most important issues get fixed.

Things to Keep In Mind When It Comes to Your Inspector

Choose a Good Inspector: You want an accredited inspector with a good reputation. An inept home inspector can leave you with a bombshell of major house improvements, while a good one can save you thousands of dollars.

Accompany the Inspector: The inspection isn't just to identify major flaws in the house. It is a valuable source of information for you about how the house works and how to maintain it.

Get a Written Report: Your inspector should give you a written report that identifies every part of the house that was inspected and lists any recommended repairs.