Professional Home Inspector Basics

Using the services of a professional home inspector isn’t just a wise idea, but a requirement in many real estate transactions. As with any service professional, you get the most value when you understand how best to partner with them. Learning the basics of what various home inspectors do will help you minimize delays when trying to sell your house.

What is a Professional Home Inspector?

A professional home inspector is someone trained and skilled at finding defects in a home. He or she evaluates structural integrity, systems and the overall quality of the home’s interior and exterior. In exchange for the inspection fee, the buyer or seller of the real estate receives a report detailing the current and potential issues with the property.

Not every state maintains stringent licensing procedures for inspectors, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the qualifications of your professional home inspector before making the hiring decision. Either the buyer or seller may order an inspection during the transaction. Obtaining a pre-inspection before placing a home on the market is a trend among sellers in need of a quick closing.

What are Standard Professional Home Inspector Services?

The standard services you receive from a professional home inspector cover many of the most common home defects. Your inspector should check for cracks inside and out, improper ventilation, doors that won’t close, issues in crawls spaces or the attic, basic functionality of home systems and the general condition of the roof. Although issues present in the inspection report can point to unreported underlying issues, the basic home inspection won’t catch all potential problems. Depending on the home, it may be necessary to order specialty inspections as well.

What is a Specialty Professional Home Inspector?

In addition to the basic inspection, a professional home inspector may be able to offer specialized inspections of non-standard items. Types of specialty inspections include:

Pool Inspection – Pool maintenance often requires the use of potentially hazardous chemicals. An unnoticed issue with pool construction or wiring when electrical elements are present can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs, or render your family’s source of summer fun unusable.

Roof Inspection – Although most home inspectors will review the general condition of the roof, they may not have the expertise to determine all looming problems. As your primary line of defense against the elements, a detailed roof inspection can be critical, especially when its installation warranty may soon expire.

Termite Inspection – Many states require a professional home inspector to take specialized training for termite inspections because of the severe damage termites, fungus and wood destroying pests cause. Not only will this inspection tell you if this issue is present, but you’ll find out if the home currently has any warning signs that you’ll have this problem in the future.