In Business Since: 2006
A home inspection is defined as an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home.  This includes the roof down to the foundation. In layman's terms, having a home inspected is akin to giving it a physical check up.  If problems or symptoms are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation. As a home buyer, seller, or real estate professional, you have a right to know exactly what a typical real estate inspection is.  The following information should give you a better understanding of exactly what your inspector should and should not do for you during the course of a home inspection. First and foremost, an inspection is a visual survey of those easily accessible areas that an inspector can clearly see.  No destructive testing or dismantling is done during the course of an inspection, hence an inspector can only tell a client exactly what was clearly in evidence at the time and date of the inspection.  The inspector’s eyes are not any better than the buyers, except that the inspector is trained to look for specific tell tale signs and clues that may lead to the discovery of actual or potential defects or deficiencies. The inspector is not limited by the standards and if the inspector wishes to include additional inspection services, typically for an extra fee, then he or she may perform as many specific inspection procedures as the client may request.  Some of these additional services may include wood boring insect inspection, radon testing, or a variety of environmental testing, etc. Many inspectors do not test or inspect appliances, for many good reasons. Appliances can break down almost immediately after the inspection and the buyer may hold the inspector liable.  There have been cases where homeowners have switched appliances with lesser quality units after the inspection.  If your inspector does test and inspect appliances you should keep in mind that any appliance can fail at anytime, particularly if the units are several years old or older. This is another reason for you to consider an A-Pro Home Inspection® inspector.  Our inspectors are thoroughly trained to test appliances, and also provide an All-In-One™ guarantee to assure their customers of top notch service. Most inspectors will not give definitive cost estimates for repairs and replacements since the costs can vary greatly from one contractor to another. Inspectors typically will tell clients to secure three reliable quotes from those contractors performing the type of repairs in question. Life expectancies are another area that most inspectors try not to get involved in.  Every system and component in a building will have a typical life expectancy.  Some items and units may well exceed those expected life spans, while others may fail much sooner than anticipated.  An inspector may indicate to a client, general life expectancies, but should never give exact time spans for the above noted reasons. The average time for an inspection on a typical three bedroom home usually takes two to four hours, depending upon the number of bathrooms, kitchens, fireplaces, attics, etc., that have to be inspected.  Inspections that take less than two hours typically are considered strictly cursory walk through inspections and provide the client with less information than a full inspection. Please feel free to give Capital Building Inspection Services, PLLC a call today to learn more about our services or to set an appointment.

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