However not all home inspectors are the same, so it is very important that you find the right one. You have to be an educated home buyer as well, and if you think that the inspector is not doing their job, you have a right fire them or to get a second opinion. Home inspectors are supposed to be able to spot problems as they go through a home. Some of the things they are required to inspect is the electrical wiring, the plumbing, major appliances such as the HVAC system, hot water heater, and make sure that all the plugs are the right ones for these applications. They are also supposed to check the roof to make sure it's water tight, and that the shingles or other covering is not damaged or needing to be replaced. Home inspectors check the exterior foundation and are supposed to go into any crawl spaces to make sure the home is secure on the foundation, that there are no obvious cracks, and that it is livable.
The problem is that many home inspectors only observe the surface of the home. Instead of checking each and every outlet, they may go to the junction box and see if the box itself is up to code. When checking the plumbing, they may only look at where the pipes come into the house, and how the water is hooked up to the hot water and heating appliances. On the outside they may just look at what's obvious, they may not check how old the trees look and whether or not their roots have gotten into the pipes. They won't look and see if the pipes leading from your house to the sewer are outdated.
New rules and regulations for home inspecting come into play all the time, with old codes changing regularly. Home inspectors need to have the credentials that they are keeping up to date, and the experience to know that inspecting a home is much more that just surface work. The buyer also needs to be aware, and go through the home with the inspector. This way if the buyers have any questions after the initial walk through, they can ask about it right away.
While it may cost you money right now, hiring an independent person can pay for itself in the long run. If you aren't sure about the plumbing in your home for instance but the inspector is passing it, you can always call a local, reputable company to come in and do a thorough inspection of all the pipes to make sure there aren't any problems. While some companies may charge a fee, others may do it free in the hopes of getting your business later.
There are many other helpful tips and information on finding the right home inspector online. You can also find out what your rights are regarding home buying.
The problem is that many home inspectors only observe the surface of the home. Instead of checking each and every outlet, they may go to the junction box and see if the box itself is up to code. When checking the plumbing, they may only look at where the pipes come into the house, and how the water is hooked up to the hot water and heating appliances. On the outside they may just look at what's obvious, they may not check how old the trees look and whether or not their roots have gotten into the pipes. They won't look and see if the pipes leading from your house to the sewer are outdated.
New rules and regulations for home inspecting come into play all the time, with old codes changing regularly. Home inspectors need to have the credentials that they are keeping up to date, and the experience to know that inspecting a home is much more that just surface work. The buyer also needs to be aware, and go through the home with the inspector. This way if the buyers have any questions after the initial walk through, they can ask about it right away.
While it may cost you money right now, hiring an independent person can pay for itself in the long run. If you aren't sure about the plumbing in your home for instance but the inspector is passing it, you can always call a local, reputable company to come in and do a thorough inspection of all the pipes to make sure there aren't any problems. While some companies may charge a fee, others may do it free in the hopes of getting your business later.
There are many other helpful tips and information on finding the right home inspector online. You can also find out what your rights are regarding home buying.
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