FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions on
Home Inspections
What
is a home inspection? 
A home inspection is an objective visual
examination of the physical structure and systems of a house,
from the roof to the foundation.
What does a home inspection
include?
The
standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of
the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system
(temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical
systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls,
ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement
and structural components.
The American Society of Home
Inspectors (ASHI) publishes a Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics that outlines what you should
expect to be covered in your home inspection
report.
Why do I need a home
inspection?
Buying a home could be the largest single
investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant
surprises and unexpected difficulties, you’ll want to learn as
much as you can about the newly constructed or existing house
before you buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for
major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for
maintenance to keep it in good shape. After the inspection,
you will know more about the house, which will allow you to
make decisions with confidence.
If you already are a homeowner, a
home inspection can identify problems in the making and
suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly
future repairs.
If you are planning to sell your
home, a home inspection can give you the opportunity to make
repairs that will put the house in better selling
condition.
The inspection fee
for a typical one-family
house varies geographically, as does the cost of housing.
Similarly, within a given area, the inspection fee may vary
depending on a number of factors such as the size of the house
and its age.
Do not let cost be a factor in deciding
whether or not to have a home inspection or in the selection
of your home inspector. The sense of security and knowledge
gained from an inspection is well worth the cost, and the
lowest-priced inspection is not necessarily a bargain. Use the
inspector’s qualifications, including experience, training,
compliance with your state’s regulations, if any, and
professional affiliations as a guide. Why can't I do it
myself?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the
knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. An
inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction,
proper installation, maintenance and home safety. He or she
knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to
function together, as well as why they fail.
Above all,
most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective
and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may
have an effect on their judgment. For accurate information, it
is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a
professional in the field of home
inspection.
Can a house fail a home
inspection?
No. A
professional home inspection is an examination of the current
condition of a house. It is not an appraisal, which determines
market value. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies
local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not
pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical
condition and indicate what components and systems may need
major repair or replacement.
What is
CREIA?
Established in 1976, CREIA is a
non-profit trade association, with chapters located throughout
the state. CREIA is a member-driven, hands-on organization
that provides educational programming and on-going
opportunities for its members to interact at both local and
statewide CREIA meetings and events. CREIA's mission is to
represent the Real Estate Inspection Industry and to
recognize and promote Real Estate Inspection as a unique;
professional discipline.
What is
ASHI?
Since 1976, ASHI has worked to
build consumer awareness of home inspection and to enhance the
professionalism of its membership. The ASHI Standards of
Practice and Code of Ethics serves as a performance guideline
for home inspectors, and is universally recognized and
accepted by many professional and governmental
bodies.
What is
AHIT?
Since 1993,
AHIT (American Home Inspectors
Training) has been providing the
Housing industry with leading home inspection training
and support. AHIT is Recognized and approved by ASHI, NAHI,
NACHI, CREIA, TREC and other professional organizations.
When do I call a home
inspector?
Typically, a home inspector is contacted immediately
after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed.
Before you sign, be sure there is an inspection clause in the
sales contract, making your final purchase obligation
contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection.
This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which
both the buyer and seller are obligated.
While
it’s not required that you be present for the inspection, it
is highly recommended. You will be able to observe the
inspector and ask questions as you learn about the condition
of the home and how to maintain it.
What if the report reveals
problems?
No
house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it
doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t buy the house, only that
you will know in advance what to expect. If your budget is
tight, or if you don’t want to become involved in future
repair work, this information will be important to you. If
major problems are found, a seller may agree to make
repairs.
If the house proves to be in good
condition, did I really need an inspection?
Definitely. Now you can complete your home purchase
with confidence. You’ll have learned many things about your
new home from the inspector’s Checklist report, and will have
that information for future reference.
What is the Difference between an Inspection
versus a Warranty?
A home inspection is just what the
name indicated, an inspection of a home...usually a home that
is being purchased.
The purpose of the inspection is to determine the
condition of the various systems and structure of the
home. While an
inspection performed by a competent inspection company will
determine the condition of the major component of the home, no
inspection will pick up everything minute latent defect. The inspector’s
ability to find all defects is limited to access to various
parts of the property, lack of information about the property
and many other factors.
A good inspector will do his or her best to determine
the condition of the home and to report it accurately. The report that is
issued is an opinion as to the condition of the home. This opinion is
arrived at by the best technical methods available to the home
inspection industry.
It is still only an opinion.
A warranty is a policy sold to the
buyer that warrants that specific items in the home are in
sound condition and will remain in sound condition for a
specified period of time. Typically, the warranty company
never inspects the home.
The warranty company uses actuarial tables to determine
the expected life of the warranted items and charges the
customer a fee for the warranty that will hopefully cover any
projected loss and make a profit for the warranty seller. It is essentially an
insurance policy.
The service that Home Inspection
Specialist will provide you is an
inspection.
We make no
warranty of this property. If you desire warranty
coverage, please see your real estate agent for details about
any warranty plan to which their firm may have
access.
How
to contact us?
Home
Inspection Specialist
Email: inspectorpj@yahoo.com
We are either on the roof or under
the house. Your Email is very important to us, so please
Email us with any questions.
