4 Important Things You Need to Know About Home Inspections

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4 Things You Need To Know About Home Inspections

Home inspections involve a thorough examination of a home before a sale of the property is finalized. Here are the top four things that you need to know about home inspections.

1. Home Inspections are Done by Licensed Professionals

People who perform home inspections are licensed professionals. They receive specialized training that enables them to be qualified for this work. They know exactly how to inspect the homes to check for various types of material defects, damage, and safety hazards as outlined by the InterNACHI Standards of Practice. Home inspecting is a specialized trade, and not just anyone can do it. Home inspectors have to be highly skilled because if they make any mistakes, it can potentially result in injuries to people living in the home or to a real estate buyer getting stuck with a bad property that can potentially cost them tens of thousands of dollars.

2. Home Inspection Costs Average Between $400-$600

Cost of Home Inspection

For some people, this may seem very expensive. However, it is far better to pay $250-$500 for a home inspection upfront than to buy the property without having it inspected. If you buy a property without having it inspected, then it can cause major problems down the line. Home repairs, especially water or structural damage, can be extremely expensive. The last thing you want to do is to buy a home that has not been properly expected. So, if you are thinking of buying a home, then expect to pay these home inspection costs.

3. It is Better for Clients to Be Present

It is ideal for the clients to be present during the home inspection this way, the home inspector can show any issues to the client and the client can lay eyes on the issues himself or herself. The client however does not have to be there for the entire home inspection. However, he or she should really try to be there for at least the last 30 minutes of the inspection. If the client is there for the last 30 minutes of the inspection, then he or she can get a summary of the inspection from the inspector and ask any questions that he or she might have.

4. Home Inspections Take About 2-3 Hours

How long does a home inspection take

The exact amount of time that home inspections take varies depending on the size of the property. However, it is common for home inspections to take about 2-3 hours. During this time, the inspector will go into every single area of the house and look for any potential signs of damage. He or she will take notes that he or she can put in his or her final report after he or she is done with the inspection.

Conclusion

It is always a good idea to get a home inspection before making a real estate transaction. Even if you have thoroughly looked through the property yourself, you are unlikely to be able to see everything that a trained home inspection professional can see.

Ellingwood Pro Home Inspections services counties in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. Along with standard residential home inspections, we offer additional services, such as: Wood Destroying Organism (aka Termite) Inspection, Air Quality (Mold & Allergens) Testing, and Radon Inspections.  If you would like to book a professional home inspection with us, we make it easy by having the option of booking online or by giving us a call at 276-566-5669. If you would like to generate your free estimate and book your inspection today, you can do so by clicking here. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or text us.

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Picture of Geremey Engle - Owner & Inspector

Geremey Engle - Owner & Inspector

Geremey is the owner and an inspector with Ellingwood Pro Home Inspections. He joined the WV AIR National Guard and served 6 ½ years. He also has a Rotary Wing Pilots License. Geremey, has a Regents Bachelors Degree and is 4 classes shy of a Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management. He enjoys building, hiking and alpine climbing. His considerable experience as a contractor and builder makes him a better inspector. To a builder everything is repairable. with that experience, he is able to communicate defects in a professional way to educate our clients so they can make informed decisions.

“I think it’s important to hire an inspector who has worn a toolbelt.” -Geremey