By Justin Wiebers, Owner/Inspector, In View Inspection LLC
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Why a Home Inspection?
Once you have a contract to buy a home, scheduling a home inspection is an important next step.
A home inspector is a trained professional who conducts a visual inspection and provides a written report on the condition of the essential components that make up a house.
The home inspection helps you determine if further evaluations or other services need to be scheduled. A good home inspector can save you significant time and money by eliminating the need to schedule numerous specialists and by giving you leverage to negotiate for repairs or concessions. If your inspection indicates very few problems, you have peace of mind and confidence from knowing a trained professional has objectively evaluated the home!
What’s Included?
A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive assessment. Walls, flooring, ceilings, etc. cannot be removed. The following areas are included:
Grounds: sidewalks and driveways, grading and water drainage, and how trees and shrubs might damage the home
Exterior: roof, siding, windows, trim, decks, patios, porches and doors
Structural components: foundations, framing, joists, beams, columns, roof structures, decking, and insulation
Plumbing: water supply lines, drainage, water heaters, and all fixtures
Heating ventilation and air conditioning systems are checked for normal operation.
Electrical systems: service drop, main panel, lights and receptacles
Living spaces: kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms, bedrooms, and others will be evaluated for safety and proper operation of fixtures/systems.
Garage: Safe operation of garage doors, electrical systems, structure.
A comprehensive list of inspection items can be seen on a sample report or on the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors Standards of Practice.
Making the Most of Your Inspection
If you have specific concerns or questions about a house you’re purchasing, talk with your inspector ahead of time. A good inspector will listen to your concerns and take the time to discuss their findings so you have the information you need to make confident, knowledgeable decisions when buying a home.
Depending on your personal interests and availability, you may be tempted to be on-site for the entire inspection (often 2-3 hours). We recommend allowing the inspector focus on evaluating the property before you arrive. This prevents the inspector’s attention from being divided between conversations with you and his task of making observations and synthesizing information about the house. No one would want their inspector talking on the phone during an entire inspection because their divided attention would likely cause them to miss potentially critical observations.
After the inspection, an in-person or video walk-through is an ideal time to discuss the inspector’s findings and any questions you might have about the property. These conversations help provide context for the severity, nuanced, or preventative nature of the observations and any potential next steps. Depending on your situation, you may prefer to simply review the inspector’s final written report.
Next Steps
Following the inspection, you will receive a comprehensive written and illustrated report. After reviewing this report with your real estate agent and discussing any questions with your inspector, you can use the findings to determine the need for any additional inspections, get estimates from contractors, negotiate with sellers, and/or to budget for maintenance and/or improvements.
If you have questions about the inspection process, please talk with your real estate agent or contact us at In View Inspection. We’re looking forward to helping you get into your new home!
In View Inspection LLC - Manhattan, KS; Wamego, KS 