If you’re about to get a home inspector, it can be a nervous time. Regardless if this is part of selling your home or a new purchase, it’s important to be ready for the inspector. Below are ways you can help the inspector do their job, as well as heading off potential issues before the inspector arrives. Either way, both can help make the process faster and more comprehensive, while reducing the risk of the home failing an inspection.
Providing Access to Your Home Inspector
When a home inspector comes to your house, make sure he can do his job. You can decide to be there for the inspection or have them do it when you’re away, but either way, make sure to prepare for them.
- Clean the House: It might seem like a small thing but spend some time cleaning the home. This can help avoid accidents and help show your maintenance of the home.
- Leave Everything On: Leave utilities, pilot lights, and appliances plugged in and on. Part of the inspection is making sure these systems work.
- Provide Access: Your home inspector needs to be able to get everywhere in your home. Provide keys to all locks, clear out room around utilities (HVAC, boiler, etc.), and make sure they can gain access to crawlspaces and see the interior and exterior of the foundation.
- Provide Documents: For any repairs, current work, or planned work on your home, have the documents/invoices ready for inspection.
Review Critical Problem Areas
There are some home issues that if found are serious marks against your home and may result in failure. Unlike above, which is talking about providing access to your inspector so they can do their job, these are about looking at critical issues that could arise. You should do this review far in advance of an inspection, and deal with the issue (or have work orders showing upcoming work) by the time the home inspector shows up.
- Moisture Issues: Issues from poor circulation and water seepage can lead to moisture, which lead to water damage and mold issue. Check for damp patches and condensation in attics, crawlspaces, and basements.
- Mold and Mildew: Looking in the same areas above, look for mold or mildew growth. Check out our article on mold and mildew for more details.
- Plumbing and Electrical: These two issues can be hard to spot. Check for leaking pipes, and if you’ve got spotty or confusing electrical systems, consult a contractor before the inspection.
- Foundation and Roof: These two issues require substantial work to repair. If they are discovered, make sure to hire contractors to deal with the issues, and have the work orders ready for the inspector to confirm.
Check out our blog, Top 5 Reasons Your Home Will Fail a Home Inspection, for more details on each issue.
Here at the Homeinex Corporation, we have been providing prompt and in-depth inspection in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and Rhode Island for over twenty-five years. If you have any questions about home inspections, including how to prepare for one, contact us today. We’ll help answer any questions you have and schedule a home inspection for you when you are ready.