Although the cost of investing in a new home can sometimes discourage buyers from dishing out extra money on a home inspection, there is a good chance that the extra money spent now will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in the long run.
A typical home inspection Orlando will take over an hour, but the time really depends on the size and age of the house. The home inspector will check every part of the house to ensure that everything is working well. The process will also allow the buyers to take inventory of what needs to be fixed and how much extra money will need to be put into the house in the next few years.
What is Covered in a Full Home Inspection?
Although every state will have different home inspection requirements and every home inspector will offer varying coverage options, full home inspections tend to be pretty standard.
Obvious Issues (Structural and Exterior Inspections)
While structural, roof and exterior inspections may seem unnecessary as much of it can be obvious to any home buyer, a home inspector will not only be able to spot more hidden issues but also provide more information on the actual costs you could expect to run into with the obvious problems.
Structurally, most home inspectors will scrutinize the entirety of the home’s foundation and the structure, including but not limited to the floors, stairs, windows, walls and drainage systems. A home inspector will also look at the obvious repairs and upgrades necessary such as the paint job, outdoor electrical work and more.
Roof Inspections
With the roof, the home inspector will be looking out for old or breaking shingles, cracking ceilings (which may be due to excessive water on the roof) and any chimney issues. The condition of the gutters and the functionality of the vents will also be checked.
Less Obvious Issues
The majority of a home inspector’s job is actually to inspect the less obvious repairs and upgrades necessary, much of which would be missed by a distracted and biased home buyer.
A home inspector will generally first take the safety of the home into account, the quality of the stairs and guardrails, mold, the age of doors, the functionality of garage door openers, the age and effectiveness of fire and carbon monoxide detectors and alarms and more.
Then, the home inspector will focus on the primary expenses and common issues new home owners face including the septic tank, water damage, electrical, insulation and ventilation.
Finally, the home inspector will check all of the home’s appliances, including the air conditioning, sinks, showers, kitchen appliances, fans, outlets and fireplace.
Conclusion
A full home inspection will definitely inform you of the actual condition of the house and the possible expenses you could face within the first few years of owning your home. As long as you find a reliable home inspector with a good reputation, it’s worth investing the little extra money before purchasing your home to avoid serious costs which will arise later.