The aim of an inspection is to assist you towards a complete understanding of the home you are planning to buy. Keep in mind no house is flawless, not even a brand-new one. That doesn’t’ mean that you won’t find the house or apartment that is perfect for you; an inspection simply will identify existing or potential problems and give you a clear idea of what it will take to remedy them. You then can estimate what repair or future maintenance expenses over and above the purchase price you may face. None of us like surprises and an inspection will minimize your risk of exposure to any unexpected future costs.

A home inspection is based on a visual inspection of the accessible features of a building. An inspection will report on site conditions, on the exterior and interior components of the building and will cover plumbing, heating and electrical systems. The inspector will examine (conditions permitting), the roof and attic as well as the basement and crawl space areas. An inspection generally takes two to four hours to complete depending on the size of the home and a written report delivered on-site or one or two days later.

A good inspector can trouble shoot existing problem conditions and offer a range of solutions, can accurately estimates costs; is familiar with Building Code requirements will know if a renovation you’re considering is workable and will communicate all of this in a clear and straight forward manner. If you have an area of particular concern be sure to let the inspector know so that your concerns can be thoroughly addressed.

A professional home inspection can greatly add to your knowledge of the building and allow you to confidently make your purchase decision.