Purchasing a home is incredibly exciting, but before you celebrate it’s important to do your due diligence to determine the overall condition of the home. A home inspection does just that.

Conducted by a licensed professional, a home inspection offers valuable insight into a home’s condition, identifying any “reasonably discoverable” problems with the home, such as a leaky roof or faulty plumbing. With this information, buyers can make informed decisions, negotiate repairs or price adjustments, and, if done proactively by the seller, can help them address issues before listing the property.

What to expect during a home inspection

A home inspection is a visual assessment of a house’s physical structure and mechanical systems, including the roof, ceilings, walls, floors, windows, and doors. Generally, the home inspector will check that major appliances are functional, examine the heating and air-conditioning system, assess plumbing and electrical systems, and poke around the attic and basement. 

During a home inspection, a professional examines the condition of the property, ensuring it is safe, structurally secure, and not a potential money pit with a long list of concealed, but necessary, repairs. To do this, the inspector will look at various aspects of the property, such as: 

• Exterior:
• Roof condition 

• Siding, trim, and exterior paint 

• Foundation and grading around the house 

• Driveways, walkways, and steps 

• Decks, porches, and balconies 

• Interior: 
• Walls, ceilings, and floors for damage or defects 

• Doors and windows for proper operation and sealing 

• Stairways and railings for safety

• Structural Components:
• Foundation integrity 

• Basement and crawl spaces for moisture and damage 

• Attic for insulation and ventilation

• Systems and Appliances:
• Electrical system, including outlets, switches, and circuit breakers 

• Plumbing system, including pipes, fixtures, and water heater 

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems 

• Kitchen appliances for functionality

• Safety Features:
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors 

• Fireplaces and chimneys 

• Garage doors and automatic openers

What a home inspection does not include

Home inspections, while comprehensive, typically don’t cover certain areas and systems, such as:

• Underground Storage Tanks: Inspectors usually do not assess these due to the difficulty of access and the need for specialized equipment. 

• Lawn Irrigation Systems: These are often excluded because they require specialized knowledge and equipment to evaluate properly. 

• Septic Systems: Evaluating septic systems requires a separate, specialized inspection. 

• Swimming Pools and Spas: These may not be covered in a standard inspection and might need a separate evaluation.

• Asbestos, Radon, and Lead Paint: Inspectors typically do not test for these hazardous materials; specialized testing is required.

• Pest Infestations: While inspectors might note visible signs of pests, a thorough pest inspection usually requires a pest control specialist. 

• Chimneys and Fireplaces: Inspectors may check for basic functionality but often do not conduct in-depth inspections of chimneys and flues. 

• Cosmetic Issues: Minor aesthetic flaws, such as paint chips or small cracks, are generally not the focus of a home inspection unless they could point to a bigger problem, such as a ceiling water stain.

For these areas, buyers may need to arrange for additional specialized inspections to get a complete assessment of the property. 

When all is said and done, the home inspector will document their findings and provide a detailed report highlighting any issues or potential problems. This report can help you make informed decisions about the property, negotiate repairs, or plan for future maintenance. Any serious issues that arise should be brought to the attention of the seller, and your agent will help you negotiate who should take care of the problems.  

When you work with Vutech | Ruff, Cutler Real Estate, you can rest assured that you have a team behind you ready to help with any questions you might have throughout the buying or selling process, including the home inspection.