Overview of the Home Inspection Process
A home inspection is an examination of the physical condition of a home, conducted by a professional home inspector prior to the home being sold. The purpose of a home inspection is to evaluate the condition of the home and identify any issues or defects in the systems, structure, or components of the home.
As a buyer, a home inspection is a very important part of the home buying process. It provides you with objective information about the current condition of the home you wish to purchase, enabling you to make an informed decision about moving forward with the purchase. Knowing the home’s defects in advance also allows you time to ask the sellers to repair issues, request a price reduction to cover future repairs, or walk away from the contract if issues are too serious or expensive.
What Happens During a Home Inspection
During a standard home inspection by home inspection services in Maryland the home inspector will physically examine the inside and outside of the home, looking at anything that is permanently installed or built into the home. This includes:
- Roof, attic, exterior walls, foundation
- Heating and cooling systems
- Plumbing and electrical systems
- Floors, walls, ceilings, doors, windows, insulation
- Built-in appliances
Inspectors will operate normal household components like faucets, switches, doors, windows, outlets, and appliances to evaluate their condition. Most inspectors bring specialized tools like moisture meters, outlet testers, and infrared cameras to detect issues.
The inspection provides buyers with documentation of the home’s condition through a written inspection report and photographic evidence. Typical inspections take 2 to 3 hours for the onsite examination.
What Systems and Areas Are Inspected?
Home inspectors check all aspects of the property during the inspection process. Here is an overview of some of the major systems and areas that will be examined.
Roof and Attic
Inspectors closely evaluate the condition of the roof, flashing, gutters, downspouts, skylights, and chimney for issues. They look for broken or missing shingles/tiles, improper installations, water leaks, rot, improper drainage, and more. Evidence of leaks is a major red flag.
Accessing the attic space, they check the roof structure and ventilation, insulation levels, and look for water stains or mold which may indicate roof leaks.
Exterior Areas
A comprehensive inspection looks over all exterior walls, doors and windows, attached porches/decks, railings, eaves, and soffits for proper installation, operation, water damage, rotting wood, chipped paint/siding, and other defects. They will also examine sidewalks, driveways, steps, and other hardscape/landscape elements on the property.
Foundation and Structure
Inspectors examine the foundation walls, floor structure, columns, drainage, ventilation, and look for large cracks or evidence of settling, bowing, etc. Access to basements and crawlspaces allow them to check the internal foundation components for moisture issues or structural problems.
Plumbing
All water supply and drainage plumbing components will be inspected including supply/drain pipes, faucets, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, water heaters, sump pumps, fuel storage systems, sprinkler systems, and more. Flow rate, leaks, corrosion, improper installations, and other deficiencies will be noted.
Electrical System
Expect a close examination of the main electrical panel, all subpanels, wiring, outlets, switches, lights, and electric-powered devices/appliances. Inspectors look for issues like overloaded circuits, improper wiring, open grounds, GFCI/AFCI protection, knob and tube wiring, exposed wires, etc. that present safety risks like shock/fire hazards.
Heating and Cooling
Central air conditioners and furnaces will have their exterior components evaluated. Accessible interior elements will also be inspected to gauge the approximate age, look for leaks/corrosion, and check for proper operation. Issues like cracked heat exchangers in furnaces present serious safety issues.
Interior Areas
All ceiling, floors, walls, windows, and doors are examined for defects like cracks, water damage, rotting wood, etc. The inspector also operates windows/doors to check operation and examines insulation/vapor barriers. Issues like mold growth or evidence of roof/plumbing leaks raise red flags about concealed moisture issues.
Additionally, built-in appliances that are part of the purchase contract will be tested to gauge performance and identify potential problems or needed repairs.
In summary, inspectors gather documentation about the condition of all installed systems and structures that are part of the home sale to inform buyers about existing issues.
Potential Additional Inspections
In some cases, general home inspectors may recommend additional specialized inspections to further evaluate conditions they noted or systems that require an expert opinion. This may include:
Mold Inspections
If there is evidence of moisture issues, a mold inspection by a specialist may be recommended to test for hidden mold issues. Air quality or surface testing determines if toxic mold species are present so proper remediation can be done if needed.
Structural Engineer Evaluation
Major foundation cracks, heavily sloped floors, or other structural concerns may require evaluation by a structural engineer to determine repair needs or structural stability. Their expertise assesses critical load-bearing elements.
Chimney Inspections
If the fireplace or chimney has signs of defects, getting an inspection by a certified chimney specialist determines if repairs are needed for safety and proper operation.
Septic System Inspections
For homes with septic systems, an inspection by a septic specialist is needed to gauge the condition and functionality of the underground system. Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace so their condition is critical if you will rely on the existing system. Specialists can perform dye tests, line camera inspections, pressure tests, and other evaluations.
These specialty inspections provide additional insights beyond what a general home inspector covers during their inspection. They add an extra layer of scrutiny on complex systems or problems areas.
What to Expect in an Inspection Report
Once the inspection is completed, home inspectors create a detailed inspection report that documents their findings, including deficiencies and problems noted during the inspection. This report, along with accompanying photos/video provides documentation of the home’s current physical condition at the time of inspection.
Reports typically include:
Overview Summary
A summary identifies any significant defects, safety concerns, or issues requiring major repairs. These issues may influence contract negotiations or purchasing decisions. Photos showcase problem areas.
System Condition Details
The main body examines each home system in detail such as structure, roof, exterior, plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling, interiors, and appliances. Defects or maintenance needs are outlined along with recommendations for repairs, further specialist evaluation, or monitoring over time. Photos document noted concerns.
Cost Estimates
Where significant repairs are recommended, the report may include cost estimates for the work based on the inspector’s professional judgement and experience. This helps buyers determine budgets for repairs they require sellers to cover or reduce asking prices by.
Maintenance Advice
Inspectors often include maintenance tips, advice about monitoring certain issues over time, suggestions for upgrades, and best practices for protecting home systems and structure. These encourage preventative maintenance.
The inspection report serves as an important reference guide for buyers on the home’s physical condition to inform contract terms and future repair/upgrade plans. Most inspectors are happy to discuss findings and ensure clients fully understand the implications of inspection results on the property.
Preparing for Your Home Inspection
As a buyer, advanced preparation helps you make the most of the professional home inspection process:
Research Home Inspectors
- Look for properly trained, certified professionals who are members of national/state inspector associations like ASHI or InterNACHI. They adhere to codes of ethics and performance standards in their inspections.
- Check ratings/reviews online and ask about their experience, specialty certifications, inspection process, reporting, pricing, and turnaround times.
Submit Requests in Advance
- Submit any special areas of concern or systems wanting extra scrutiny in advance so they allocate proper inspection time.
Attend the Inspection
- Attending the inspection allows you to see issues firsthand and ask questions. But don’t interfere with the inspector’s process.
Review Findings Afterward
- Carefully review findings, ask for clarification on anything unclear, research issues needing repairs, and determine priorities for contract terms with your real estate agent.
Proper diligence in choosing your home inspector and understanding inspection findings protects your interests as a buyer making the largest purchase of your life! Inspection results become your roadmap dictating next steps with contract terms, final purchase decisions, repair arrangements, and future remodeling plans.
