What to Expect from a Home Inspection

With experts anticipating another year of record home sales, buyers and sellers are increasingly utilizing the service of a qualified home inspector. Yet those who retain a home inspector are wise to educate themselves on what to expect... and not expect... from a home inspection.

"A home inspector is a generalist who identifies visible existing conditions," says Charles Bellefontaine, public relations chairman of the Northern Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors (NICASHI), the leading non-profit association of professional home inspectors. "They are not acting as specialists in all of the different disciplines that go into the construction and maintenance of a home."

At Unispect we feel consumers should view a home inspector in the same manner they would a doctor or dentist. "Like a general practitioner examining a patient, the home inspector examines the home to assess its condition and health. If a serious problem is discovered, the inspector brings this to the attention of the customer an may recommend a specialist," Bellefontaine explains. "As in consulting a doctor, the client should look to hire someone with the proper qualifications and demonstrated experience."

What to Know

At Unispect we feel homebuyers or sellers should be aware of the following when having a home inspected:

• Discuss with the inspector in advance what is included in the inspection and what style of report is produced.
• Bring specific questions or concerns to the inspector's attention prior to the inspection.
• Expect receipt of a written report.
• Expect to receive an accurate overview of the home at the time of the inspection. The home inspector's role is to report the home's condition and to alert the client as to major visible defects, not to predict future conditions.
• Be present at the inspection to ask questions and to view the inspection process, since it can provide a valuable learning experience.

Inspecting the Home

At Unispect we feel the home inspector should take as much time as is necessary to cover the following areas

• Exterior - Drainage conditions, exterior surfaces, decks and chimney are examined.
• Roof - Condition of roofing materials and flashing are examined
• Interior - A representative number of windows and doors and the plumbing fixtures are tested and checked for operation. The furnace is examined for correct installation and operation and the air conditioner is tested when possible. Electrical outlets and switches are randomly checked for correct polarity and operation.
• Crawl Space / Attic - This area is examined for structural condition. Insulation, ventilation, Electrical, heating and plumbing systems are inspected if present.