Buying a home is a massive financial investment, and while home inspection commonly goes hand-in-hand with buying a new home, it’s tempting to forgo. You’re going to spend so much on your new home as it is, and isn’t a home inspection optional?
Yes, home inspections are usually up to you, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t necessary. In fact, having a home inspection completed could save you thousands of dollars down the line. In the end, an inspection will typically save you more money, time, and headaches than it costs. We won’t tell you whether or not to buy a home, but we will tell you what to prepare for if you do choose to buy.
How Does a Home Inspection Work?
Home inspections are definitely not a part of the home-buying process you want to skip over. A home inspector will do a thorough visual inspection of the house, focusing on major appliances and systems.
This inspection is entirely non-invasive, and no wall coverings or large furniture will be moved. The inspectors will examine the entire house for dangerous situations, components that aren’t performing properly, and any structural concerns. It’s recommended that you’re present for the inspection process so that you can ask questions and receive a detailed explanation.
Overall, the entire process will typically take 2-3 hours to complete. You can read up on how to prepare your home for a home inspection and what to expect when the inspector arrives.
Why You Need to Get a Professional Home Inspection
Unseen Problems
While the house you’re looking at may have good curb appeal and look to be in excellent shape, that doesn’t mean there are no hidden problems. A home inspector will check the interior systems, such as heating and electricity, to ensure they are running properly. If they aren’t, he or she will give you a heads up and explain the situation.
If you don’t get a home inspection and the problems remain unnoticed, it can end up being a much bigger issue. If something breaks or stops working, it could be far more expensive to fix than if you had discovered the issue beforehand.
Structural Issues
Along with looking at your house’s systems, an inspector will also inspect the foundation and any other structural elements to ensure they are structurally sound. If there are any structural problems, that’s a red flag, and depending on the severity of the issue, it could mean major repairs in the tens of thousands of dollars. Keep in mind that we can’t look behind the drywall in a finished basement to inspect the foundation, but we do have other tools and methods to detect foundational issues.
Poor Insulation
Insulation is another unseen but highly important aspect of a house. High-quality insulation is very important in a new home for multiple reasons. Proper insulation will keep your house at the desired temperature, improve noise reduction, reduce mold and mildew, and raise energy efficiency, which keeps energy bills low. We’ll look at your insulation using thermal imaging tools that can spot gaps or moisture in the insulation of walls and attics.
Poor Water Quality
Another potential issue that’s hard to see at a glance is water quality. The quality of the water in your house is essential for your family’s health. Many inspectors offer to test for water quality, and it’s a simple process – a sample is taken and delivered to a laboratory, and you’ll get the results within a few days.
Septic System Maintenance
Maintenance inspections for septic systems give you an understanding of how it works and how to maintain it. During the septic maintenance inspection, the inspector will identify locations of the system’s parts and explain to you how the septic system works and how you can maintain it. If there are suspected issues, we can also refer you to a professional septic system inspector. There are many simple ways to keep your septic system running smoothly. By learning how to take care of your septic system, you could save yourself a very large and expensive repair or replacement.
Book a Home Inspection with Professionals You Can Trust
You want your home inspectors to be as informative and proficient as possible. At Fortified Home Inspections, we’re dedicated to making sure you know everything about your home and its systems. Contact us today for your professional home inspection.
