Joshua What is a Home Inspection?
A house inspection is an assessment of the safety and quality of a property that’s about to be sold. It determines whether the property has minor or major defects. Home buyers are often advised to use this tool when deciding whether or not they want to buy a property. Some countries require sellers to provide inspection reports prior to selling property. In some countries, inspection reports may be required to sell a property in order to verify the property’s quality and safety.
What Are the Things That Are Checked During an Inspection of a House?
During an inspection of a house, various parts are evaluated. The evaluation is performed by a professional home inspector. Home inspectors do not need to have a formal education. However, they can attend courses and become certified.
Inspectors will examine the interior and exterior of the home. To ensure that the home’s structural elements, such as heating and cooling, plumbing, electricity, water and sewage systems, work properly, they are checked. Home inspectors have a list of things to check in a property, in addition to what the buyer has requested. The report summarizes the findings and shows the property’s safety, habitability, and condition.
How Does the Home Inspection Process Work?
In order to assess the overall condition of a property, there are several steps that make up a house inspection. Here are four steps to follow:
Step 1: Choose a professional home inspector with experience to ensure accuracy and reliability of the assessment.
Step 2: Schedule the inspection after choosing a professional inspector. Make sure that everyone will be available at the time of the scheduled inspection.
Step 3: On the date of the scheduled inspection, a thorough inspection of your house will be performed. You should accompany the inspector to the house inspection so that you can understand what is being assessed.
Step 4: The inspector will then submit a detailed report after the inspection. The inspector will then discuss and review the report, allowing you to ask any questions or raise concerns if needed.
How Long Does It Take to Inspect a House?
The whole process of inspection will take several days if you include the initial property inspection and the final report. Typically, the actual inspection will take between two and two-and-a-half hours. This duration may increase depending on the size and complex of the property.
What is the Cost of a Home Inspection?
In the US, the average cost for a house inspection is between $200 and $400. The cost can vary depending on the location, the condition of the property, what is covered in the inspection, and the experience of the inspector.
Home Inspection Checklist
Home inspectors have a checklist that outlines what should be checked during a New Home Inspection in Ottawa. This list includes the following aspects of the property.
- Exterior: The foundation, doors, windows, screens, and the yard.
- Grounds: Driveways and walkways. Porches, decks. Steps. Railings. Fences. Landscaping. Retaining walls. Outbuildings. Drainage. Grading.
- Roof: The roofing material, flashings, gutters and vent pipe covers.
- Interior: The walls and ceilings, the floors, the doors and windows, the plumbing and electrical system, heating and cooling, ventilation, fireplaces, chimneys, appliances and furniture.
- Additional considerations: Molds and pest infestations.
Countries That Require House Inspection
In most countries including the US, house inspections are not required but highly recommended. Indirect property inspection is required in countries such as France and Germany. In France, the owner of a house is legally required to provide mandatory diagnostic reports such as an energy performance certificate and asbestos diagnosis.