What Is A Pre-Purchase Home Inspection?
A pre-purchase home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of the house, from roof to foundations. It is the equivalent of a physical examination from your doctor. It includes a report that summarizes what is found on the inspection. When problems or symptoms of problems are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation or remedies.
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What Does A Pre-Purchase Home Inspection Include?
A Pre-Purchase Home Inspection includes a visual examination of the house from top to bottom. The inspector evaluates and reports the condition of the structure, roof, attic, plumbing, heating system, central air conditioning system, electrical system, visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, foundation, and basement. In short, items that are visible and accessible by normal means are included in the inspection and report. View sample pages from an inspection report.
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Why Do I Need A Pre-Purchase Home Inspection?
A Pre-Purchase Home Inspection gives you a professional, unbiased opinion as to the condition of the property so you can avoid unpleasant surprises afterward. Of course, an inspection will also point out the positive aspects of a house, as well as the type of maintenance needed to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase and you will be able to make your decision with confidence.
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When Should I Request A Pre-Purchase Home Inspection?
The best time to consult the inspector is when you've made an offer on the home. The real estate contract usually allows for a grace period to inspect the home. Ask your professional agent to include this inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional inspection.
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Should I Attend The Inspection?
It is not essential for you to be present for the inspection, but it is a very good idea. We actually encourage you to attend because it is a valuable learning experience for you as a potential home buyer. It is the perfect opportunity to ask specific questions about the condition of the home and learn important information that will be of great help to you after you've moved in. Where defects are identified, the inspector can discuss these with you so that you understand what repairs are required, when they should be done.
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Can A Building "Fail" The Pre-Purchase Home Inspection?
No. A professional inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of your prospective real estate purchase. It is not an appraisal or a Municipal Code inspection. An inspector will not pass or fail a house but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items will be in need of minor or major repairs or replacement.
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What If The Report Reveals Problems?
If the inspection reveals problems in a house, it does not necessarily mean you shouldn't buy it. Rather it lets you know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to make repairs because of significant problems discovered by the inspector. If your budget is tight, or if you do not wish to become involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the property for you. The choice is yours.
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If The Report Is Favorable, Did I Really Need An Inspection?
Definitely! Now you can complete your purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property and its equipment and systems. You will have learned many things about your property from the inspection report which you will want to keep for future reference. Above all, you can rest assured that you are making a well-informed purchase decision and that you will be able to enjoy or occupy your new home or building the way you want.
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Can I Inspect The Building Myself?
Even the most experienced home owner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional inspector who has inspected hundreds or even thousands of homes. An inspector is familiar with the critical elements of construction and with the proper installation, maintenance and inter-relationships of these elements. Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the home they really want, and this may lead to a poor assessment.
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It's Brand New . . . What Could be Wrong?
It is not good business to forego a home inspection on a newly constructed house, regardless of how conscientious and reputable your home builder. No home, no matter how well it is constructed, is totally free of defects. The construction of a house involves thousands of details performed by many individuals. No general contractor can possibly oversee every element of the home's construction. The very nature of human fallibility dictates that some mistakes and oversights will occur even when the most talented and best-intentioned trades people are involved.
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What If My Builder Says I Don't Need a Home Inspection?
It is important to let your builder know up front that you intend to have the work inspected by an independent third party construction expert. This will help set a tone with the builder and let them know that you expect things to be done properly. As noted above, even brand new homes have defects. The general contractor simply cannot oversee every detail of the home's construction personally. It is also an unfortunate aspect of modern times that some builders do not stand behind their workmanship and may not return to fix or replace defective components installed after the sale is complete.
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Isn't It Enough That The Municipal Code Inspector Already Approved It?
Often the builder will state the home has been built to "code" and that it was inspected at different stages and signed off by the local jurisdiction. However, building codes are frequently minimum in nature - that is, the primary intent of building regulations (codes) is to provide reasonable controls for the construction, use, and occupancy of buildings. The builder is only responsible to meet minimal standards. You may want higher standards applied to your dream house. Also, it is an unfortunate fact of the hectic pace of construction that local building department inspectors are often overbooked with inspections which results in their spending a minimal amount of time at the construction job site and important details may be overlooked. Finally, jurisdictional inspectors are concerned with workmanship only to the extent that all of the systems and components in a new home meet minimum code requirements.
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What Will The Pre-Purchase Inspection Cost?
The inspection fee for a typical single-family house, multi-family house, or condo varies geographically, as does the cost of housing. Similarly, within a geographic area the inspection fees charged may vary depending upon the size of the home, particular features of it, the age, the type of structure, etc. However, the cost should not be a factor in the decision whether or not to have a pre-purchase home inspection. You might save many times the cost of the inspection if you are able to have the seller perform repairs based on significant problems revealed by the inspector. Please see our Fee Schedule for pricing.
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How Can A Professional Home Inspection Give Me Peace of Mind?
A professional home inspection is a great value to a home buyer because the home inspector will spend whatever time it takes to evaluate every readily accessible part of the home they can safely reach and then prepare an inspection report containing their findings. This, in turn, will provide a "fix-it" list that can be brought to the attention of the seller. Additionally the homebuyer has peace of mind in knowing they have taken the extra step in protecting their investment by helping ensure they are made aware of any overlooked defects. Back to the top
Do I Need A Radon Test?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is everywhere. It is a naturally occuring soil gas that is from decaying uranium in the earth. 44% of all houses in western Pennsylvania have radon above the EPA recommended action level to correct. A radon condition in your home is correctable! Don't put yourself and your family at risk, have your house tested.
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