Buying a property is both terrifying and thrilling. During the transaction, you need to take note of several details concerning the new house. This also includes potential problems surrounding the foundation, plumbing, electricity, fixtures, appliances, structure, and more.
To ensure that your new property does not become a nightmare for you and your family, there is a simple solution. You simply need the services of a home inspection company. Whether the property is in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, or any part of the world, inspecting a home before buying saves you a lot of trouble.
What is Home Inspection?
A home inspection is an act of thoroughly checking different components of a property with the aim of discovering areas of defects. It is a critical aspect of the home buying process. Just like you test drive a new car, this inspection test drives the new house.
But you must hire a qualified and experienced professional to do the job. Most of the professional inspectors like Abbotsford and Chilliwack home inspector will examine the building extensively, identify issues that you (the buyer) may decide to discuss with the seller for repair or fix. This also includes disastrous issues that may make you have a rethink about buying.
After examining the house, the inspector will write a comprehensive report. This report contains a checklist of the major features in the property, a summarized statement on each living area, and photographs and other notes documenting problems. It also estimates the remaining lifespan of major equipment and systems, finishes, paint, structure, and roof.
Furthermore, the inspector gives recommendations on replacements and repairs the homeowner must do before moving in. Usually, a home inspection costs some hundreds of dollars, depending on the size of the home and region. However, spending that amount will save you more money on unexpected repairs in the future.
Things to Look Out for During Home Inspections
You are an integral aspect of the inspection because you are the buyer. You also need to carry out some groundwork prior to when the professional will take over. You can spend time reviewing property disclosures from the seller and reading the building documentation from the building department of the state.
You can also prepare some questions to ask the inspector about the home. To make this easier, let’s discuss some areas that a home inspector will examine during a home inspection.
1. Exterior and Grounds
During the inspection, the professional first examines the exterior of the property and the building’s condition. They are interested in the drainage and grading, the solidness of the siding and foundation, and evidence of leaks or standing water.
They also check the state of the landscaping and exterior paint, as well as damages to the driveway, stairs, patio, garage, or deck. You can check out https://inspectapedia.com/exterior/Building-Exteriors.php to learn about building exterior repairs.
2. Doors, Roof, and Windows
The structural components in a home’s exterior are usually very expensive to replace or repair. Therefore, inspectors spend more time evaluating them. They also check their expected useful lifespan.
On the roof and attic, they will focus more on the fascia boards, chimneys, soffits, flashing, exterior vents, gutters, and shingles. Also, when they are inspecting doors and windows, they search for improper or unavailable caulking, improper installation, cracks, rot and decay, and any kind of damage.
3. The Attic
Prospective buyers usually overlook this part of a building. But it holds important clues concerning the structure’s integrity. The inspector will ensure that there are no poorly fixed insulation, improper ventilation, plumbing pipes or exhaust ending around the vicinity, and structural damage.
4. Crawl or Basement Space
This crawl or basement space is an aspect of the inspector’s checklist that is very vital. Water can log in the basement and the owner may not know until moisture has done a lot of damage. Therefore, the examiner will scout for issues related to moisture and insulation and proof of pest attack.
They will also look for issues linked to the structure and foundation of the building. If the building has crawl spaces, they will also be checked for such problems. You may want to click here to learn about crawl space maintenance.
5. The Interior Rooms
In the interior rooms, your major concern should be far from choosing a befitting paint color. These spaces reveal important structural issues. Hence, the examiner’s checklist will cover fireplaces, insulation, temperature control, outlets, switches and lights, trim and paint, interior doors, windows, ceilings, walls, and floors.
6. The Kitchen
This part is the heart of every home. It is highly important and every feature in it must be in an excellent position. Some aspects to scrutinize in the kitchen include:
- the functionality and size of appliances and equipment
- the condition of drawers and cabinets
- the water flow and drainage
- the fan in the exhaust
It is important to check the safety of outlets in the kitchen. This will prevent electric shock since a lot of activities involving water take place there.
7. The Bathrooms
This is another aspect of the house that comes with pricey replacements or repairs. The inspector will carefully assess the fixtures, flooring, caulking, tiles, shower and tub, sink, exhaust fan, and toilet. More importantly, they will properly scrutinize the water pressure and water flow, taking note of plumbing issues and leaks.
8. Major Plumbing, Systems, and Electricals
Home inspections generally include an extensive examination of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, including the electrical and plumbing work. The inspector will indicate the current age, then the expected useful life of the components before attending to other areas of interest.
In the HVAC unit, they will check the following: odor, asbestos, rust, the state of the flue, ductwork, filters, ventilation, and airflow. In the electrical systems, they will evaluate the wiring, breakers, fuses, cables, and service panels.
Finally, in the plumbing units, they will check for leaks or pipe damage. They will also ensure that the pump and water heater are functioning properly. You may want to check out https://todayshomeowner.com/how-to-check-a-water-meter-for-plumbing-leaks/ to learn how you can discover plumbing leaks.
Conclusion
A home inspection is the first thing home buyers should consider before completing the buying process. This is because a house may look good on the outside, but a careful examination will reveal a lot of damage. Therefore, hiring the services of home inspectors will save you a lot of worries and money later.
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