FAQs
Q: What Is a Home Inspection?
Previously-Owned Home: A home inspection is a visual inspection of the physical structure and major systems of a home at the time of the inspection.
Newly-Constructed, Framing or Warranty Inspections: A home inspection is a visual inspection of the physical structure and major systems of a home, plus an inspection for compliance to the building codes.
Q. Why Have a Home Inspection?
For most people, buying a home is the most substantial investment they will make in their lives. As with any major decision, you will want to gather information to assist you in making the best decisions. A home inspection conducted by a Qualified Professional Home Inspector will assist you in making the right decision. A home inspection can provide information about the quality of the home you are considering to purchase, before you sign on the dotted line. The key points of why you need a home inspection performed by a qualified professional are listed below.
-
Protection of your substantial investment.
-
Professional expertise, knowledge and judgment that is objective and free of emotional involvement about the positive and negative aspects of the home you are considering purchasing.
-
Reassurance about product defects that may have major cosmetic / structural problems or class action suits again product manufacturers.
-
Analysis of the condition of the home, including signs of major and minor defects an untrained eye may miss.
-
Advice about the type of maintenance that may be required to keep your home in good condition.
-
A valuable tool in the final negotiation of your contract.
Q: When Should I Have My Home Inspected?
A home can be inspected at any time, but here are a few suggestions of the most effective times to have inspection:
Previously-Owned Home: After you have made an offer on the home and prior to signing the contract. You can include an "Inspection Clause" in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a Profession Home Inspection.
Framing Inspection:
After all of the walls, floors, and roof are framed, rough electrical, rough plumbing, and rough HVAC are installed (before exterior wall insulation).
Newly-Constructed: If the inspection can be scheduled before the final walk-through with your contractor, then time is available for the contractor to make necessary repairs before the "closing date". Note: All utilities should be "ON".
Warranty Inspections: The warranty inspection should be performed before your warranty date expires. Your warranty date starts on the day of closing.
Q: Who Can Perform A Home Inspection?
Believe it or not, in the state of Georgia, anyone that desires to become a home inspector can without any training, licensing or experience. It's vital for your protection, that you use a qualified, experienced and trained Home Inspection Professional to inspect your prospective new home and protect your substantial investment.
Some people use the "logic" of thinking they can inspect the home themselves and save the cost of a home inspection. But most people do not have the skills, tools, expertise, experience and time to conduct a proper Professional Inspection themselves. There is an old saying ' You can pay a little now, or a lot later', this is so true for a home inspection. The key points to remember when choosing a qualified home inspection professional are listed below:
-
Reputable - Use a Professional Home Inspector which other people have used and would happily refer to their family, friends, and you
-
Experienced - Use a Professional Home Inspector that has experience in conducting home inspections and how homes should be properly constructed and understand where building 'shortcuts' may have been used
-
Continuous Education - Use a Professional Home Inspector that keeps up to date on product information and building code changes, through affiliation with organizations such as American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
Q: What Are The Requirements For A Through Inspection?
A Professional Home Inspector can provide a wealth of experience, skills, and additional information to assist you to make an informed decision about purchasing your new home. You are investing a substantial amount of time and money and want to get the most through inspection possible. The thoroughness of the home inspection is influenced by several factors. Listed below are some major items and the level of completion recommended to get the most value for your money and the most through home inspection possible.
Previously Owned Homes:
Ensure all utilities are "ON" before the inspection: Electricity, Gas, and Water
Newly Constructed Homes:
Delays in construction of new houses are common. These often result in scheduling problems for the "final" home inspection. To receive the best possible service, you need to insure the needed work has been completed, at the final stage of construction, before scheduling a home inspection.
-
Ensure all utilities are "ON" before the inspection: Electricity (not temporary power), Gas, and Water
-
Exterior finishes complete, including roof, gutters, siding, and final grade
-
Interior finishes complete, including wallboard, stairs and flooring
-
All plumbing fixtures installed and operational and the water heater(s) installed and operating. Also, to make sure all kitchen appliances are installed
-
Furnaces and air conditioning units installed. Systems are active
Q: Do You Climb Onto The Roof?
Yes. However, there are certain safety issues that have to be considered, and therefore I reserve the right to determine the degree of those conditions which may be unsafe. Surfaces that are wet, contain snow or ice are obviously conditions that would prevent walking on the roof. Slate, metal, or wood shingles are not walked on due to their generally fragile nature. If I cannot climb onto the roof, I will at least attempt to get to the eaves for a closer observation of the roofing. I will always be able to make a proper determination about the condition of the roofing.
Q: How Much Will A Home Inspection Cost?
Typically our Professional Home Inspections start at $325 dollars. This price will vary depending on location, size, and special features of the home, please call the office for a quote, 770-381-9637.
An important consideration to remember is that a Professional Home Inspection can be a great 'insurance' from making a huge mistake on your hard earned money. Regardless of the cost, whether its $50,000 or $5,000,000 dollars, a home is usually the single largest investment people make.
If a Professional Home Inspector finds a major problem or some minor problems, the cost of the inspection will always pay for itself many times over. If no problems are found then you will have the peace of mind knowing that you have purchased a structurally sound home.
|
