Typically, a property inspector is hired during the home-buying process. The role of the inspector is to provide information on the property being purchased. This information aids the buyer in determining whether the home or building is worth purchasing or if there are major flaws that could sway the buyer’s decision.
When a property inspector inspects a home, he looks at everything that can be seen. They are usually not held liable for any internal problems such as faulty wiring or plumbing that is hidden behind walls. Each property inspector will sign a disclosure outlining their responsibilities and the types of errors or omissions for which they can be held liable in the future.
Heating, plumbing, foundation, roof, electric, appliances, air conditioning, doors, windows, decks, and patios are among the items that a property inspector will examine. Some, but not all, will look for any outdoor structures or swimming pools. It’s crucial to know ahead of time if they’ll cover any structures that a prospective homeowner wants to learn more about.
A property inspector will also be on the lookout for other potentially dangerous conditions. To check the levels of radon, a radon test kit is usually left in the basement of the building. They can check for lead paint if they want to, and most will keep an eye out for asbestos if they’re in an older house.
It’s crucial to know about previous damage to the building and whether the condition that caused the damage is likely to occur again. An inspector will look for past water leaks, fire damage, and termite evidence to determine whether the conditions are active or dead. Termites, for example, may have infested a home at some point in the past, as evidenced small holes in the basement structures. Based on the age of the holes, the inspector will determine whether there is an active infestation or one that has long since passed.
At the conclusion of the inspection, the property inspector will write a report. It usually arrives a few days after the inspection and contains the information they mentioned to the accompanying home buyer during the inspection. This report will include a list of needed repairs, code violations, and repair cost estimates. Some inspectors will also include photographs and information about the area that they believe will be useful to the potential home buyer.