Inspection Guide

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR HOME INSPECTION

Here at the Buyers Home Inspection Service, when we perform your home inspection we will be looking at several hundred items from the roof down to the foundation.

Various conditions can enhance or impair the inspection process. We want to do the best job possible for you and have prepared this guide to getting the most from your home inspection.

* Be there if at all possible, it will help you understand the written report. Seeing what the inspector sees can make their discoveries more understandable. You may have some concerns based on your initial walk through. Let your inspector know as the inspection starts or call the office ahead of time so we can be best prepared. An extra pair of eyes can always help! so point out any concerns when the inspector has a free moment.

* Distractions hurt. You should understand, when we say that it is important for you to be there. Please keep in mind though, that if you, your mom & dad, your children or even your Uncle Joe diverts the inspector’s attention away from inspecting, it increases the chances of missing something important. Do not monopolize the inspector’s time–provide a little breathing room for looking and recording. A comfortable role for you at the inspection lies somewhere between an inquiring shadow and a perceptive wallflower. Do not worry; the inspector will point out important findings on-site and follow-up with a detailed report.

* Accessibility counts. We’d like to look at as many things as possible. If you know that something important-such as an attic access, an electric panel or a furnace is blocked, ask your agent to see if it’s possible to have access available for the inspection. Your inspector is not allowed to move furniture or remove wall coverings; this is a non-invasive inspection.

* Home vacant? Be sure that all utilities are on. Outlets, furnaces, water heaters, built-in dishwashers, plumbing evaluations all require those all-important utilities to be on. We must charge for return trips necessitated by shut down utilities or other lack of access. Again, you can help get the best inspection by requesting all utilities be turned on and pilot lights lit.

* Background helps paint the picture. Disclosure statements, repair & replacement bills, maintenance history are always helpful information. If you have any of this information, share it with us before or at the inspection; it can only enhance your inspector’s effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I choose a Home Inspector?
A: Call up and ask about their credentials and experience. If for some reason you don’t feel comfortable asking this of the inspector when speaking with them on the phone then how will you feel asking questions at the inspection. You must feel that the inspector is qualified, experienced and attentive of your needs.

Q: What will the inspection cover?
A: A thorough Inspection covers everything from roof to the foundation. Items that are included in the inspection are as follows:

Attic
Insulation
Ventilation
Roof & Flashings
Gutters
Basement
Crawlspace
Foundation
Grading
Retaining Walls
Siding & Trim
Driveways & Walks

Ceilings
Floors
Walls
Doors & Windows
Chimney
Fireplace
Major Appliances
Electrical System
Water Heater
Plumbing System
Air Conditioning
Heating

Q: How long will the Inspection take?
A: Most Inspections take about two to three hours. These times may vary depending on the size, age & condition of the home.

Q: Should I be present during the Inspection?
A: We recommend that you be present at the site of the inspection, from start to finish to see what we see.

Q: Why use our Services?
A: The purchase of a new home is one of the single most costly investments that a family will make. Along with the extra stresses this will add, there is also the fear factor of, “Will This Home Stand The Test of Time?” It is also important to know what YOU, as the primary investor, are getting for your money.

A home inspection is an excellent tool for you, the home buyer, to help determine not only the condition of the home, but to also help foresee any immediate unnecessary additional cost that may go unnoticed without the help of a home inspection. Home inspections are not a prediction of future performance, but can pinpoint existing problem areas.

Q: Why can’t I have someone in my family who is very handy or a contractor, inspect my new home?
A: This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Professional home inspection is a unique skill like no other. Professional inspectors get what we call an inspector’s instinct for problems. That instinct takes extensive training and lots of experience doing inspections to develop. Many contractors, and other trades professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their homes when they make a purchase.

Q: What if I have questions after the inspection?
A: You can call us and discuss all the aspects of your new home whenever you like. Our service is a long-term investment