It is exciting to own a new home. The prospect of having a bigger bathroom, faster internet connection and living in a better neighborhood may motivate you to move in immediately your offer is accepted by the selling property management company in Sacramento. However, there is one step left; the home inspection. I am sure at this moment, you are wondering- what does a home inspection cover, and why do you need a property inspector?
A home inspector does a visual scrutiny of the structure to determine if there are any major flaws that require fixing. The exact scope of this inspection will be discussed later in the article. A home inspection is important because, first, if there are major structural flaws in the house, you can have them fixed before moving in. Moreover, if the faults on the house are very costly, you can renegotiate with the seller to have him or her correct the faults or reduce his or her asking price. Alternatively, if the problem is more than you can handle, you can walk away from the deal.
Besides, if you are the buyer, you get to determine the asking price for your house using its state. So, what does a home inspection cover?
Pre-Inspection Agreement
Before the inspection is done, an agreement is signed between the seller and inspector. Ensure that you carefully go through and understand every aspect of the contract. Just in case you have any questions, ensure that you get clarifications. This agreement defined the scope of the inspection services to be offered and the overall costs.
The question- what does a home inspection cover, is also answered using laws in a number of states, and in most, the pre-inspection is necessary. There are other specific laws that may be different for each state, depending on the geography and social status of a neighborhood.
How to Help Your Inspector
The inspector is supposed to find problems, if there are any, about the property. To help him do his job more effectively, you can pinpoint areas of concerns that you might have about the house. If you are buying the home and the seller has pinpointed areas of concern, inform the inspector about them.
Moreover, you are advised to accompany the inspector on his rounds. This way, he can introduce you to different control panels in the house and show you how to fix recurring problems in case they occur. This information will serve you well before and after you buy it.
What the Inspector Looks For
The question- what does a home inspection cover, will be answered more clearly here. An inspector generally covers the following areas:
a) The Grounds
The inspector will examine them to see if there are any issues, present or future that may be found. They include water issues, such as stagnating pools, the landscape, retaining walls, pathways, and sheds.
b) The Structure
For a building to be deemed worthy to live in, the structure has to be sustainable and stable. The inspector will scrutinize the foundation, doors and window frames, and whether the sides are straight. This is especially important where the building you are buying is relatively aged.
c) The Exterior
This is mostly an inspection of the aesthetics rather than the structure itself. The inspector will check for rot, decay, and cracks on the masonry walls, cracks in the stucco, and the breaking or flaking of paint. For a wooden structure, the inspector has to determine whether the distance between the siding and the earth is adequate to avoid damage from moisture.
d) The Roof
Here, the inspector checks for any defects in the chimney, skylights, gutters, and the ceiling. These complications may arise from defects in the shingles, fascia, and flashing.
e) The Interior Rooms
These include the kitchen, the bathrooms, the living room, and the bedrooms. In the kitchen, the inspector checks for leaks in the sink and if the electric connection is far enough to ensure that it does not meet with water. The toilet’s flushing system drains, showers and tubs are inspected in the bathroom to ensure that they are working effectively. The other rooms have their framing, insulation, heating vents and aesthetics inspected to ensure that they are stable, effective, and in good condition.
f) Plumbing and Electrical
The plumbing and electrical systems are also inspected to ensure that they are in order. This involves the inspection of switches, sockets, drains, water heaters, and water temperature and pressure.
What Is Not Included In the Inspection
We have answered the question- what does a home inspection cover? However, to complete this topic entirely and to dispel misconceptions that might be out there, I find it prudent to mention what is not included in an inspection.
The inspection carried out by an inspector is only visual, hence they are liable to inspect only what they can see. An inspector cannot take apart any equipment in your house, dig in your yard or poke holes through a wall in the name of inspection. He cannot scrutinize:
- Kitchen appliances and central vacuum systems
- Alarm systems
- Lawn sprinkler systems
- Hot tubs and swimming pools
- Satellite dishes or television antenna
- Fire and smoke detection systems
- Detached structures
- Environmental hazards like radon and asbestos
- Well systems
- Code compliance
However, as mentioned above, ensure that you read the fine print in the pre-inspection agreement to determine the scope of the inspection.
Many homeowners are skeptical about what home inspectors do, but in this text, the question of what does a home inspection cover has been answered in two ways; what is covered and what is not. Ultimately, the scope defined in the pre-inspection agreement is what determines the extent of the inspection.
A home inspection is not only good as it saves money and time; it is also essential to ensure the safety of the occupants that are to live in the house. Whether you are buying or selling a home from property managers in Sacramento, it is important to ensure that it has been thoroughly inspected to determine whether there are any present complications or if any are anticipated.
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