Home inspections fill a key role when it comes to buying (or selling) a home. We have already explained the need for a home inspection in our blog, Why You Need a Home Inspector. Today, we’re going to look at home inspections and what you can expect to be covered (and not covered) in a basic home inspection. By the end of this, we hope you’ve got a better idea of how comprehensive home inspections should be, as well as when to add services to your inspection.
Not All Home Inspections Are Created Equal
First, it’s important to understand that while there are qualifications and licenses that home inspectors must get, that does not mean that all home inspections will cover exactly the same material. Between the services included in a home inspection and the experience of the home inspector themselves, this is truly a case of “your mileage may vary.”
What a Home Inspection Should Contain
We believe that our basic home inspection covers all bases as far as being a comprehensive inspection (you can see recommended add-ons below). Let’s go over the list in more detail:
- Pest Inspection (insects, burrowing animals, etc.)
- Foundation and Basement (settling and cracking, moisture and flooding)
- Central Heating & Cooling System (HVAC and furnace inspections)
- Plumbing Systems (leaks and water quantity)
- Electrical Systems (wiring and age)
- Walls, Ceilings, and Floors (condition and structure)
- Windows and Doors (condition and security)
- Roof Ventilation and Insulation (including asbestos insulation)
- Major Appliances (built in appliances)
- And Miscellaneous (such as landscaping issues and outbuildings)
Add-on and Other Services Provided by Home Inspectors
Above is a pretty substantial list of services, but it’s important to realize when you might need to add additional services to a basic home inspection. Primarily this is checking for two major things: the presence of Radon gas in your home, and to check water quality. Both are normally not included in basic inspection because they require third-party labs for testing. Consult with your inspector to know if your home is at risk for radon gas, or if your water systems need to be tested for contaminants.
We hope this sheds a bit more light on what is included in a home inspection. The Homeinex Corporation has been providing prompt and in-depth inspection in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire for over twenty-five years. If you have any questions about home inspections – from what they can find to how much they cost – contact us today. We’ll help answer any questions you have and provide next day service on most home inspections.