Everyone knows that home ownership is the American Dream. That dream can quickly become a nightmare, however, for uninformed buyers. Even newly constructed homes can harbor costly mistakes—mistakes that may not be visible to the untrained eye.

Many homebuyers assume that they do not need a home inspection. They simply rely on their eye and their intuition to check a property’s quality and safety. That can be a costly, and dangerous, mistake. An inspection by a qualified home inspector can save potential homebuyers time, money, and heartache. Inspections generally cost a few hundred dollars—a relatively small price to pay to protect such a large investment.

Before You Begin

When you put in an offer on a house, make sure to leave room for a home inspection. In some areas this will be called an “option period.” Others will simply call it a contingency. Whatever name is used, there needs to be a clause in the real estate contract allowing the potential homebuyers to either back out or renegotiate in case of uncovered problems.

What Does an Inspection Cover?

A home inspector provides a visual, non-invasive inspection of various structures of a property. They do not drill into walls, move structures, or in any way damage the property to perform tests. The purpose of the inspection is to determine if the components are in working order at the time of the inspection. A typical home inspection includes a visual inspection and operational check of the following:

• Structural Systems—foundations, floors, walls, etc.
• Electrical Systems—wiring, main service panels, conductors, switches, receptacles, etc.
• Air Conditioning Systems—cooling and air handling equipment, controls, and ducting.
• Heating Systems—equipment, safety controls, distribution systems, chimneys, etc.
• Plumbing Systems—piping, fixtures, faucets, water heating, fuel storage system, etc.
• Ventilation and Insulation—attics, basements, walls, floors, foundations, kitchen, bathrooms, etc.
• Roofing—coverings, flashings, chimneys, etc.
• Exterior—siding, windows, decks, garage doors, drainage, retaining walls, etc.
• Interior—partitions, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, built-in appliances, etc.

These optional structure are also checked, though sometimes at an additional charge:

• Hot Tubs
• Lawn Sprinklers
• Outdoor Cooking Equipment
• Security Systems
• Swimming Pools

After the inspection, the inspector will provide a comprehensive report explaining his findings. Sometimes he will suggest further evaluation by a specialist, such as a mold inspector or structural engineer.