Whether you’re planning to buy a house or sell one, you must understand the property’s condition. This helps get to know the property better and get the insights to decide what steps to take moving forward.
Now, how do I do this?
Well, the easiest way is to schedule a residential home inspection. If you’re a home seller, these home inspections can help you prepare for selling. While if you’re a homebuyer, you can know the potential pitfalls in buying the property – helping yourself avoid the expensive repairs later.
And if you’re neither but just a homeowner, then getting a home inspection every few years can be your holy grail. This will provide you with valuable knowledge about property maintenance and improving your home’s resale value.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about residential home inspections and what you can expect from them.
WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION AND ITS PROCESS?
A home inspection is a visual evaluation of your property that tends to look out for all the details of your home. They tend to identify issues, whether they be major or minor ones.
During a residential home inspection process, the inspector searches for any problems that might stake the property’s condition.
For this, they usually start by checking the structural elements like the roof and foundation and go on to check every minute detail of the house.
To evaluate your (or your potential) home’s systems and structure, inspectors usually use four basic points, these include:
- Installation
- Maintenance
- Safety
- Performance
Once the inspection is completed, the inspector generates a comprehensive report pointing out their findings.
This report includes every minor and major detail, letting you make an informed decision about buying or selling your house.
BUT, note that the inspection is not a “guarantee” of your home’s condition. And it might not even identify every potential issue existing within your home.
The inspector will only conduct a “visual” examination of your property, and they won’t go into looking at every nook and cranny.
Furthermore, they also won’t go into inaccessible places or locked, but surely, they’ll note that down in their report.
Most importantly, they are not responsible for making repairs to your home!!!
The only purpose of the residential home inspection is to get you a better idea of your property’s condition.
WHO PAYS FOR THE INSPECTION, AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Usually, the buyer pays for the residential home inspection. It doesn’t involve much, just the cost of doing the business. And if the buyer wills, they add up the inspection cost in the closing cost, too. In other situations, the buyers pay for the inspection up front.
While if the seller ends up scheduling a home inspection, then it’s the pre-listing inspection they sign up for. And, of course, they pay for this from their own pockets.
The cost of a home inspection actually varies based on various factors, and the area you live in tops the list.
At some point, you might feel like investing in inspections is an additional expense, but well… it’s all worth it!
The cost of basic home inspection might fall into a few hundred dollars, but it can go up if you add some additional inspections to the list. Again, this is based on where you live.
Another factor that adds up to the inspection cost is the size of your home. The larger the home, the more time it takes for the evaluation. The same applies if you’ve added additional areas to your home, like a garage.
Furthermore, you might want to sign up for special inspections besides residential home inspections. These are extra items that are not included in your basic home inspection. One example of such an extra item is radon. For this, you’ll need to schedule a radon inspection separately, which will add up the cost.
Some examples of these specialty inspections are:
- Sewer scope
- Septic
- Chimney
- Stucco
- Termite
- Pool and spa
- Environmental hazards (mold, radon, etc.)
WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTION COVER?
The process is covered, and the cost is covered, but what do these inspections include, and what do the inspectors look for?
A precise answer to these is that the inspector looks out for everything that needs maintenance, repair, or reinstallation. Some essential items/areas include:
- Exterior – checking out the roof for cracks, damage, missing siding, water damage, pest, etc.
- Interior – examination of the foundation, signs of damage to the cabinets, walls, windows, and other visible aspects.
- Plumbing – visible leaks, shower heads, functioning faucets, toilets, and ensuring the exposed pipes are undamaged and aren’t outdated
- Electrical – testing all outlets, ensuring the basic functioning of GFCIs, examining electrical panel
- Air – examine the HVAC system and ductwork to ensure the proper functioning of the furnace and air conditioner.
- Fire safety – identifying the potential hazards and testing the smoke detectors.
SHOULD YOU ATTEND THE RESIDENTIAL HOME INSPECTION?
This isn’t a requirement, but it is definitely a recommendation!
Now, why is this recommended?
Well, the inspector can give you first-hand experience about the process. The inspectors can also talk your way through, explaining everything in detail and answering your questions. Well, this can be a cherry on top because when you review the inspection report, there might be several things you don’t get. So, getting answers on the spot is the best.
Getting the inspection and being there during the process must come to you as an informational and educational opportunity. This is because a house doesn’t come with a manual. If you choose a home inspection, it sure does come with a report, but again, understanding it isn’t a child’s play.
So, it’s better to get to know your property one-on-one instead of getting confused later.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, getting in-depth knowledge about residential home inspection in Augusta, GA basically involves understanding the crucial role the inspection plays in ensuring the property’s safety and integrity.
From structural assessments to identifying potential issues, these inspections tend to guide buyers and sellers to make informed decisions realistically.
These inspections might seem like an additional expense and a burden at first, but once you understand how they’re a blessing in disguise, you’ll say it was all worth it.
Explore the assurance of a thorough property inspection with Hargrove Inspections. Contact us today to gain valuable insights into your property’s condition, empowering your decision-making process.