What is a Home Inspector Looking for During an Inspection?

What is a Home Inspector Looking for During an Inspection?

Whether you have a home inspection scheduled or are still in the process of selecting a home inspector, it’s common to be curious about what will be examined and what will be reported.

A home inspection is a comprehensive snapshot of the home’s overall condition on the day of inspection.  The companion report will detail the condition of all major and minor items, along with any applicable recommendations.  Many quality services offer sample reports outlining the exact items that will be included so you know what to expect.  In general, your inspector will focus on detailing health or safety issues, costly repairs, and any minor issues.  The major areas that will be inspected include:

Foundation Issues

Your home inspector will pay special attention to the foundation since it can be one of the most expensive home repairs.  The foundation supports the entire house, providing a level base so that systems operate as intended. Foundation issues can compound throughout the house in plumbing problems, doors and windows that won’t open and close, cracks in walls and tiles, and more.  Foundation repairs are both costly and time-consuming.

Roofing Issues

Roof repair is second only to foundation in terms of costly repairs.  Your home inspector will look for missing shingles, holes, water damage, or any sign that the roof is getting ready to fail.

Electrical Issues

Electrical issues can be a serious safety hazard.  Your home inspector will look for exposed wiring, double tapping circuit breakers, improper installation, outlet issues, and any other potentially unsafe items.

Plumbing Issues

Plumbing systems carry clean water into your home and wastewater away from your home.  Since repairs can be costly, your home inspector will look for dripping faucets, running toilets, signs of water damage, slow running drains, and any other concerns.

Although this article summarizes major areas of focus, your report from A Light in the Attic will provide much more detail and your inspector is always happy to answer any questions that you may have during this process.  With this in mind, the home inspection process is designed to provide you with peace of mind so that you are able to make the best decision when purchasing your new home.