What is a home inspection?
The inspection is a reasonable effort to disclose the conditions existing on the day of the inspection. A look at your home with an experienced eye. Most people purchasing homes hire an inspector to check the roof, exterior, foundation/basement/structures, plumbing, electrical, heating, fireplaces, air conditioning, insulation and interior. The inspection does not reveal information on the concealed areas or items not inspected; e.g. Insulation in the visible areas of the attic does not imply insulation under the attic floor.
 
Who is a home inspector?
Home inspectors are generalists with broad knowledge on many topics. Some home inspectors are engineers and some are not. The home inspector does a visual inspection and report the major deficiencies and items affecting the habitability of the property. A good inspector must be well versed in all fields of residential construction and have good communication skills. The home inspector gives an overview of the condition of the property and discloses major defects.

Are there any limitations?
Yes. Inspectors do the best job they can, but sometimes physical instructions, weather conditions, etc., prevent them from doing the whole job; e.g. A snow covered roof or concealed areas. The inspector cannot make representations about what was inspected. Approximately 3/4 of the components of a house are concealed or out of sight.

What if the report reveals problems?
Just because the house may have some problems doesn't mean it isn't a good investment. The report will help you understand what will be involved in future maintenance, whether you may be able to negotiate with the seller on the price of the home, or getting repairs done before closing. Remember, the choice is always yours.

Which houses should be inspected?
Any house should be inspected, regardless of age. New construction as well as existing houses have defects. The inspector uses his experience of inspecting older houses to anticipate future problems in new construction.

Can a house "fail" an inspection?
An inspector will not pass or fail a house. A professional home inspection is simply an examination of the current condition of the house. An inspector describes the house's condition and notes items in need of immediate repair or replacement.

Is an inspection an insurance policy or warranty against future repair?
NO! The home inspector will never be able to predict every repair or maintenance item encountered while owning a house. Purchasing a home brings risks. An inspection cannot eliminate this risk. An inspection does not constitute an insurance policy. It gives you an impression of the condition of the house and discloses immediate major repairs.

Why do I need an inspection?
Buying a home is probably the largest single investment you will ever make. A home inspection will let you know the condition of the property before you buy, so you may avoid unpleasant costly repairs afterwards. After an inspection, you should have a clearer understanding about the property and feel confident about the purchase of a home. It will reveal major problems with the house, and also point out the positive aspects of the home.

When do I call in the home inspector?
After you have made an offer to purchase the property or before closing is a good time to call in an inspector. Have your lawyer or realtor include an "inspection clause" in the contract, making your purchase contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection.