12 Sep Types of home inspections – Buyer’s Inspection

Types of home inspections – buyer’s inspection, seller’s pre-listing inspection, warranty inspection, or home maintenance inspection…what’s the difference anyway?

When most people hear “home inspection,” they associate the term with the inspection done during the option period when buying a home. The majority of home inspections are for people preparing to buy a home however, there are actually several types of home inspections. We see an increasing number of inspection requests for those about to put their home on the market, as well as homeowners looking to understand how their home’s major systems are functioning.

Let’s take a look at the most common type of home inspection, its purpose and scope.

Types of Home Inspections: The Buyer’s Inspection (most common)

Let’s start with the most common type of home inspection – the buyer’s home inspection.

WHO ORDERS THIS INSPECTION?

This inspection is ordered by the intended buyer of the home.

PURPOSE

Buying a home is one of the most significant investments a person can make in his or her lifetime. A wise buyer is an informed buyer, and a home inspection delivers just that. Information about the property you are interested in purchasing. The purpose of this inspection is to verify that all Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing systems are installed correctly and operating as intended.

As a home buyer, it is important to remember that no home is absolutely perfect. Even an inspection on a newly constructed home will likely include some noted defects on the inspection report. Most of your inspection will be related to maintenance details and minor imperfections with the property. However, an inspection can help bring attention to possible areas that should be addressed with the seller before you buy the home.

The home inspection issues that really matter fall into four main categories:

Major defects (i.e. a structural failure)

Things that LEAD to major defects (i.e. a small roof flashing leak)

Things that may hinder your ability to finance, occupy, or insure

Safety hazards (i.e. exposed, live, wires in the electrical panel)

SCOPE AND STANDARDS

A typical home inspection covers all major mechanical systems, structural integrity, cosmetic features and other aspects of the house. This includes:

Heating and cooling systems

Electrical

Plumbing

Interior and exterior

Garages

Baths

Kitchen, which includes sinks, faucets, garbage disposals and other built-in appliances

Exterior walls

Trim & Moldings

Chimney

Foundation

Slabs

Basement and crawl space

Examination of the attic and roof to assess the insulation, ventilation, framing, roof surface, flashing, penetrations, drainage, overhangs, gutters and downspouts

Because this is part of a real estate transaction, the inspector performing the inspection should be licensed and insured. Licensing requirements can vary by state.

Additionally, inspectors may be affiliated with a professional inspectors association such as ASHI or InterNACHI. View the TREC Standards of Practice and InterNACHI Standards of Practice which may not apply all inspectors. DO request to see the inspector’s license number. Ask if they belong to any professional associations. Verify the standards of practice that an inspector is following.

COST

Because it is an independent, unbiased, third-party inspection, the buyer pays the cost for the inspection. The on-site examination of the home should take two to four hours or more, depending on the specifics of the job (i.e. size or age of home, irrigation systems, etc.). The written report may take an additional two to four hours to prepare. Costs range from $300 to $700 for typical homes.

Additional tests that are typically not included in a standard home inspection

Ask your real estate professional if these tests are recommended:

Pool and Spa – Average range for a pool and spa inspection to be between $75 to $150.

Mold – The cost for mold inspection can range from $350 to $800.

Radon – The estimated cost to test for radon is $75 to $150. You could also choose to get a Home Radon Test Kit.

Wood Destroying Insects (Termites, etc.) – The estimated cost to inspect for wood boring insects is $75 to $200.

Septic Inspection – The cost for septic inspection usually starts at $300 to $500 and can easily go up depending on how “messy” the job gets.

Pipe Inspection – Camera inspection inside of plumbing from house to street, recommended on all houses built before 1980. From $350 to $600.

If you need to schedule a home inspection or have questions please contact us at 941-779-7170 or click here to email us.