A Home Inspector Could Save You Hundreds

Getting yourself a home inspection now, can save you big money down the road.  Your home may seem like it's in tip-top shape, but things do happen.  Many issues are unpredictable, primarily to the average homeowner.

Many problems can be avoided before you sign the papers to your new home.  Surprises come in many forms.  Having a home inspection done by a licensed professional to examine your home will divert many issues that may come up before closing day comes. 

Before releasing the funds from a bank, most mortgage banks demand a home inspection.  Home inspectors can recognize smaller issues during an inspection that may lead to a larger matter of contention later.  Especially during economic downturns, banks who audit a home inspection want to make sure that their investment will last.  Homeowners should not be concerned with shelling out the extra money for an inspection, because it will only benefit them.

Qualified home inspections can vary by the size of the house, age of the property, certain services requested, and other factors. Some inspectors charge a flat fee, by the hour and others will charge by the job.  There are other home inspection companies that may charge by the home price.  A homeowner will have to do their own due diligence and find the best home inspector in their area.

The cost of a home inspection can be overlooked quickly and determined not in the budget.  If the homeowner would take a little time to assess the situation.  Even if the cost of a home inspection costs $1000, it could save you thousands more down the road.

For example, you hire a home inspection that costs $1000.  The home inspector finds a crack in the foundation of your home.  You have to hire someone to fix the problem which might cost $500.  You have spent a total of $1500.  Possibly, that small crack could have been overlooked if a home inspection was never ordered.  If so, the water could have entered the crack and really caused problems.  Winter months could really stress the foundation wall during the winter months, making the wet spring months big trouble.  That small crack could now have water leaking through the foundation, soaking into your walls, creating mold, destroying carpet and possibly flooding the entire basement.  This problem now just turned into a $5000 plus problem without the home inspection.

Be up front with a home inspector and ask for a services provided quote.  Asking the inspector for references of his work should be necessary and mandatory.  The home inspector should be excited that you are doing your home work.  Make sure that you ask the inspector to include a list of all items that will be inspected.  Always make sure that you hire a certified professional.  Some cities or counties do require that an inspector be licensed or certified, so make sure you inquire about local laws.  A contract would be ideal to have and review before hiring the home inspector.

Home inspections will cover many items.   A list should include, grade of top soil, exterior plants (overhanging limbs, etc), exterior paint or siding, masonry, roof, downspouts, septic system, windows, a/c units, plumbing, electrical, fixtures, attic, chimneys, doors, sprinkler system, exterior structures, driveway, sidewalks, water heater, water softener, overall structure and many other items that the inspector will overlook.

Your home inspection report will allow you to overlook and assess any weak point of your overall home standing.  Knowing any problems before they happen will allow the homeowner to repair them before a major problem happens.  The home Inspection may just save you thousands of dollars down the road.

Article written for Nashville Home Inspectors .