What Does a Home Inspector Do?
What does a home inspector do? When someone is buying or selling a home, inspectors step in to examine it and identify any major issues or repair opportunities. With around 4 million existing homes sold every year, you'll want to hire an experienced, well-trained inspector when you're looking or listing to make sure the process goes smoothly. Here's everything you need to know about the role of a home inspector.
What Is a Home Inspector?
A home inspector is a trained professional who examines the physical condition of a home and its major systems. During an inspection, they typically conduct a non-invasive, visual evaluation of the most important areas of a home, like:
- Roofs
- Attics/basements
- Foundation and structure
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Heating and cooling systems
- Interior spaces (Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors)
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Exteriors (Siding, windows, doors, decks, walkways, drainage, etc.)
The inspector will document their findings in a report that may include photographs, descriptions of problems, and recommendations to address certain concerns. It's not an inspector's responsibility to tell you whether or not to buy a home, but if they do their job well, buyers should have the information they need to make an informed decision before putting their name on the dotted line.
RELATED: From Eaves to Exposed Beams: 34 Home Features Explained
What Does A Home Inspector Look For?
A standard home inspection covers a lot of ground, with a primary focus on major structural components. They'll check to make sure the important items are operating safely and not in danger of malfunctioning anytime soon. A well-trained home inspector will spot:
- Damaged roofs, attics, and basements
- Signs of wear and tear in your home's structural integrity/foundation
- Fire hazards in your electrical system
- Plumbing issues
- Defects with interior rooms (Floors, ceilings, walls, etc.)
- Malfunctioning kitchen appliances (Ovens, dishwashers, garbage disposals, etc.)
Why Are Home Inspections Needed?
Home inspectors conduct a thorough assessment of a home, uncovering the issues that typically go unnoticed by the untrained eye. Home inspections are essential for both home buyers and sellers.
Why Do Buyers Need Home Inspections?
While a home inspection isn't usually required to buy a home, it's in the buyer's best interest to secure an inspection before taking on such a major expense. An inspection may reveal a costly repair that needs to be addressed before closing and give homebuyers a better idea of the budget they need to ease into ownership.
Why Do Sellers Need Home Inspections?
Home inspections can also be useful for sellers. A pre-listing inspection can identify potential problems before a home goes on the market. This allows sellers to address issues ahead of time. You want to put a home up for sale in the best shape possible and avoid becoming a buyer-beware listing.
When Should You Get a Home Inspection?
For most homebuyers, inspections take place after an offer has been accepted during a home sale. This pre-purchase inspection allows a buyer to learn more about the home before finalizing the purchase. It's important to do your research and find a qualified inspector before you make an offer on a house. The timeframe to inspect after submitting an offer and before closing on a house is often shorter than you might think.
You might also consider additional inspections and testing. Depending on the home and its location, buyers sometimes seek specialized evaluations for issues that fall outside the scope of a standard inspection, such as mold, septic systems, and certain pest concerns.
How Long Do Home Inspections Take?
A typical single-family home inspection takes about two to four hours, although the exact amount of time can vary due to a home's:
- Size
- Age
- Overall condition
- Accessibility of areas like attics and crawl spaces
If possible, buyers are encouraged to attend at least part of the inspection. Being there gives you the opportunity to see what the inspector is looking at, ask questions, and learn more about the home's structure.
What Happens If a Home Inspection Uncovers Issues?
The most important thing to remember is: Don’t panic!
We all have our dream homes, but it’s rare for a place to be perfect. It’s normal for home inspections to uncover at least a few items that need attention. Prioritize the issues that need more immediate attention over relatively minor ones.
Read through your inspection report carefully and talk with your real estate agent to understand your options under the purchase agreement. You might be able to ask the seller to make certain repairs, request a credit, or negotiate other changes. If a report identifies a significant concern, you may need to bring in an appropriate specialist or contractor for a closer look and an estimate.
Who Covers the Cost of Home Inspections?
In most cases, the homebuyer pays for the home inspection process. The exact price varies based on several factors, like home size, age, and location. Sellers sometimes choose to cover the cost of an inspection before putting their home on the market. If you’re unsure about who is responsible, ask your real estate agent before scheduling an inspection.
Home Inspections and Boosting Prices
A home inspection is the key to a successful, stress-free homebuying—and selling—experience. To learn more about getting top dollar for your home, check out our “Pre-Sale Home Checklist: 8 Things to Fix Before Selling Your Home.” It has all the details you need to boost your sale price and deliver what buyers are looking for!