If you’re considering purchasing a property in Huntsville, AL, it’s important to have it inspected by a qualified home inspector before making any final decisions.
While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, a home inspection can uncover potential issues that could end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs down the line.
In this article, we’ll explore what a house inspection entails and why it’s a worthwhile investment for any home buyer.
The Home Inspection Contingency
Before closing, a buyer has the chance to discover any significant concerns with a home through a home inspection.
The fact that a house inspection can be utilized as a contingency in your agreement with the seller is your first indication that it is crucial.
According to this condition, you have a set amount of time to cancel your purchase offer, free of charge, if a home inspection turns up serious flaws. If a home’s possible issues would allow you to walk away from such a substantial commitment, they must be fairly serious.
What Does a Home Inspection Cover?
While there are differences in experience, skill, and thoroughness among inspectors, a qualified inspector should investigate specific aspects of a home before writing a report outlining their findings.
The inspection typically takes two to three hours, and you should be present to hear the inspector’s findings explained in-person and, if required, ask questions.
Additionally, rather than relying just on the snapshot images in the report, any issues the inspector finds will make more sense if you see them in person.
The inspector needs to be aware of:
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- Whether each issue is a safety concern, a serious flaw, or a minor flaw
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- What needs to be replaced and what can be fixed or serviced
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- Things that are acceptable for now but need to be carefully watched
If you’re a first-time home buyer, an expert inspector will even advise you on routine maintenance that has to be carried out.
The following house inspection checklist for buyers should give you a rough idea of what to expect, even though it is hard to cover everything an inspector could look for.
Exterior Examination
The exterior of the building will get a thorough inspection by the inspector. This entails utilizing a ladder to reach the roof and other items for inspection, as well as crawling into any crawlspaces beneath the house.
Outside walls
The inspector will look for missing or damaged siding, cracks, and whether the soil is too close to the house’s foundation, which could attract insects that eat wood. The home inspector won’t look for actual termite or other damage; instead, the pest inspector (yes, you might want to hire one of those too) will. Which issues are cosmetic, and which can be more serious will be disclosed to you by the inspector.
Foundation
The inspector won’t be able to immediately inspect the foundation if it’s not visible, which it typically isn’t. However, they might look for secondary signs of a problem with the foundation, such as cracks or settling.
Grading
The inspector will inform you if the grading slopes properly away from the house. If it doesn’t, water can enter the house and cause damage; in that case, you’ll either need to alter the yard’s slope or put in a drainage system.
Carport or Garage
The inspector will check the garage door to make sure it opens and closes properly, look at any visible garage framing, and see if it is adequately vented (to prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning).
The inspector will ensure that the water heater is situated high enough off the ground if it is in the garage to reduce the possibility of an explosion caused by gasoline fumes mixing with the flame of the heater.
Roof
The inspector will look for loose, missing, or inadequately fastened shingles as well as cracked or damaged mastic around vents in areas where roof damage or poor installation could allow water to enter the home. They will also examine the gutters for damage.
Interior Examination
The interior of the house will also be thoroughly inspected by the inspector. The cabinets beneath the sink and the ceiling will also be subject to inspection.
Plumbing
All faucets and showers will be examined by the home inspector, who will also test the water pressure and search for any obvious leaks. If any pipes are visible, they will also determine what kind of pipes the house has.
If the pipes are old, the inspector might advise a second check to establish whether or when they might need to be replaced and how much the repair would cost. The position of the main water shutoff valve for the house will also be noted by the inspector.
Electrical
The inspector will determine the type of wiring in the house, test each outlet, and make sure that places like the bathrooms, kitchen, garage, and outdoors have working ground fault circuit interrupters installed (which can shield you from electrocution, electric shock, and electrical burns).
Additionally, they will look for any safety issues with your electrical system and examine your outlets to make sure there aren’t any fire hazards.
Air conditioning, ventilation, and heating (HVAC)
The inspector will examine your HVAC system to establish its age, check to see if the furnace and air conditioner are working properly, and make recommendations for repairs or maintenance. An inspector may also tell you how old your home’s ductwork is, whether it may be leaking, whether you have enough insulation to lower your energy costs, and whether any of the insulation has asbestos.
Water Heater
The age of the heater will be determined by the house inspector, who will also examine its installation and security. The inspector will also describe the condition it is in and provide you with a ballpark estimate of how many years it has left.
Kitchen Appliances
The kitchen appliances that come with the house may occasionally be tested by the inspector to ensure they function, but this is not generally included in the inspection. Ask which ones are left out so you can test them yourself if you believe you’ll want to keep them.
Laundry Room
The inspector will verify that the laundry area has enough ventilation. A dryer exhaust system that isn’t properly maintained poses a significant fire risk.
Fire Safety
If the house has a garage that is attached, the inspector will check to make sure the wall has the appropriate fire rating and hasn’t suffered any damage that would have affected that rating. The smoke detectors in the house will also be tested.
Bathrooms
The inspector will look for obvious leaks, securely fastened restrooms, sufficient ventilation, and other problems. Mold and mildew can develop issues in bathrooms without windows or ventilation fans, and moisture can eventually ruin wood cabinetry.
Not Covered in a Home Inspection
A home inspection only looks for obvious signs of issues; it cannot find every potential issue with the property. A home inspector cannot confirm whether a break in the foundation is there if it cannot be seen without removing all of the flooring from the home, as can be the case with doors that do not close correctly or floors that are tilted.
Inspectors generally avoid areas like:
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- (Won’t cut open drywall or insulation) inside walls
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- inside pipes or sewage systems
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- internal chimneys
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- In back of electrical panels
Additionally, the majority of house inspectors are generalists, which means that while they can alert you to potential plumbing issues, they will typically advise that you engage a specialist to confirm the problem and provide you with a fix cost estimate. Of course, hiring more inspectors will increase your expenses.
Additionally, termite damage, site contamination, mold, asbestos, engineering issues, and other specialized issues are not particularly checked for by home inspectors. However, if they have a good reason to suspect something, they’ll probably let you know. If your property appears to be at risk for asbestos, some inspectors will recommend asbestos testing as an add-on service.
Pests, radon, and lead are examples of issues without obvious symptoms that could emerge after the assessment.
Following the Inspection
Following your home inspection, you have a number of choices:
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- As long as the purchase agreement has an inspection contingency, you may decide to back out of the deal if the issues are too serious or expensive to address.
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- If there are issues, whether big or minor, you can ask the seller to solve them, negotiate a lower price, or receive a cash credit at closing to take care of the issues yourself. A house inspection can more than pay for itself in this situation.
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- You can acquire estimates to remedy the issues yourself and create a plan for repairs once you own the property if none of these choices are practical for your scenario (for instance, if the property is bank-owned or being sold as-is).
Are Home Inspections a Good Investment?
Depending on the size of the home and the area, hiring a home inspector can cost anywhere between $300 and $500.
Of course, if the results of the general inspection prompt the request for additional specialized inspectors, that number could rise considerably.
Inquire in advance about an inspector’s fees.
It’s critical to maintain perspective.
To keep in mind, an inspection is:
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- Not the only factor in choosing a home to purchase. Perhaps you’re willing to make repairs to the home that has these issues. You can tell just how many by using the inspection.
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- Never completely free of issues. A home’s problems will always be discovered during an examination. Even newly built homes will have some problems that need to be fixed.
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- Not about finishing all the repairs. No seller is going to take care of everything. They might negotiate on some of them, but it would be unrealistic to expect all of them to be resolved.
Best Home Inspectors in Huntsville, Alabama
Looking for reliable home inspectors in Huntsville, Alabama? Check out our list of top-rated professionals who can help you assess the condition of your property and identify any potential issues. With their expertise and attention to detail, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is in good hands.
Up and Up Home Inspections
Up and Up Home Inspections provides a comprehensive visual inspection of your home and its major systems, designed to identify defects and safety concerns. The inspection report is based on Alabama state standards and the InterNACHI standards of practice.
Each inspector has their own level of detail and flow for inspecting a house, which is reflected in their report. The report covers the exterior, foundation, structural components, roof, gutters, downspouts, attic, insulation, ventilation, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, fireplaces, and interior including the garage, doors, windows, and appliances.
Inspectors are not required to test every outlet or inspect ancillary items like security systems or sprinkler systems. They are also not required to move furniture or appliances to inspect concealed flooring.
A To Z Home Inspector Services, LLC
A to Z Home Inspector Services, LLC is a reputable home inspection company that offers comprehensive services to buyers and sellers in North Alabama. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, they cover a wide range of counties including Madison, Limestone, Marshall, Morgan, Jackson, Lauderdale, Cullman, Dekalb, Etowah, Franklin, Cherokee, and Colbert.
Their services include a thorough inspection and report on the structural systems, roofing, electrical systems, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, and appliances.
They inspect everything from foundations, grading, and drainage to appliances such as dishwashers, garbage disposals, and garage door operators. Trust A to Z Home Inspector Services, LLC for a detailed and reliable home inspection.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to buy a home in Huntsville, AL, a home inspection is a crucial step in the process. A professional home inspector will thoroughly examine the property for any potential issues that could end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.
They’ll check for things like damaged siding, foundation cracks, and plumbing or electrical problems. The inspector will also assess the electrical system, including the type of wiring and safety of outlets. Additionally, they’ll look for leaks, proper ventilation, and other potential problems.
Keep in mind that while home inspectors are generalists, they’ll let you know if they suspect any specialized issues. While a home inspection is a wise investment, it’s important to remember that it’s just one factor to consider when choosing a home.