Education

Home Inspection

The Home Inspector

The Buyer has the right to request a home inspection, The buyer should request to review a sample report and engage the Home Inspector to detect issues that may exist with the home they are about to purchase.

The responsibility of identifying defects and flaws in a building lies with the home inspector. This means that the home inspector should have full knowledge about local ordinances including the frame construction, electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling systems and condition of other structures and systems in the property.

The home inspector’s job is totally different from that of a building inspector or code inspector job, which is responsible for checking whether a particular property is compliant with all the governing housing codes. The job of the home inspector is to analyze every aspect of the house that is considered as a permanent feature. In home inspector jobs the focus will be on getting done the inspections quickly with no aspect overlooked.

Note:
Before we continue with responsibilities, it is important to know that most inspector’s that enter a home are not responsible for moving stored items ,toys , waist , washer and dryers from there inspection area .They can only inspect what they see and can get close to. Make sure, if at all possible, in your purchase offer, that requires that the owner will move all item for the inspection.

The home inspector will usually start from the foundation of the structure. They will check for weakened areas of support, if visible. Basements and crawl spaces are examined for signs of cracks in walls or flooring, water damage, and signs of mold.

The inspector will check the heating and cooling systems of the home as well as the electrical wiring, for functionality of surface plugs, complying with code, and plumbing for visibility of leaks and serviceability and function of the systems. Gas lines will be checked by smell only for leaks and visibly proper installations.

The home inspector will devote special interest to the wiring system as electricity drives most of the electrical appliances of the home , but cannot tell you anything about what is behind the wall, unless there are detail sighs of problems.

Plumbing will be checked for accordance with the local codes and will be checked for immediate break down.

Fireplaces and stoves will also be inspected to make sure that the equipment’s is in proper working conditions and vented properly.

The home inspector will examine the interior structures in the home. He or she will check the ceiling, interior walls and door frames and look for signs of cracking or weakening. Throughout the space the inspector will look for presence of safety devices like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Attic spaces, closets and windows will be checked in the interior inspection.

The home inspector examines the roof and ensure proper flashing and drainage via gutters and downspouts.

He or she will also check for the structural integrity safety of the attached porches or decks and inspect detached garages and other structures

The home inspector will make sure that the living space is habitable and safe according to the standards of the local jurisdiction.

The Home Inspectors Are Not required to Inspect:

Encroachment or boundaries	Any System that is shut down
Conditions of systems ‘for equipment	Systems Not functioning properly
Cause or reason of conditions	Shut of valves or manual controls
Coded compliance	Move any Personnel Items
Cause or need of repair	Dismantle open or uncover any system
Evidence of rodents	Enter crawl spaces that are unsafe
Presence of mold, mildew or fungus	Walking on roof
Air-born hazards	Climbing Ladders
Existence of asbestos	Lawn irrigation
Environmental hazards	Intercom
Hazardous waste presence	Engineering service
Cost of equipment replacement	Offer any trade or professional service
Estimates of repair	Determine the age of Systems or Home

Title 8 Chapter 3 of the Georgia Trade Practice Act Article 6 defines a home inspector:

Any person, except an employee of a county, municipality, or political subdivision while engaged in the performance of the duties of his or her employment, who, for consideration, inspects and reports on the condition of any home or single-family dwelling or the grounds, roof, exterior surface, garage or carport, structure, attic, basement or crawl space, electrical system, heating system, air-conditioning system, plumbing, on-site sewerage disposal, pool or hot tub, fireplace, kitchen, appliances, or any combination thereof for a prospective purchaser or seller. Simply put, a home inspector is a professional who evaluates a home’s systems and structure in order to generate a report for perspective homebuyers or current homeowners.

On line services are a good place to start. If your using a realtor, they will have had dealings with multiple home inspectors. Family and friends are important especially if any of these people have recently used the services of a home inspector Remember if you ask the inspector for references, the inspector is not going to give you someone who doesn’t care for their services.

Take a look at previously completed report when starting the interview process.. Does it include photographs? A good inspection report will include photographs and will allow for standard check of list. The length of an inspection report should be from 20-to 35 pages depending on their inclusions.

Is the inspector a member or has he or she completed, an ICC Combination Inspector (International Code Council) or ICC certification (ICC RCI).
Does the inspector carry insurance for errors and omissions.
Include the scope of the inspection
State that it is a visual inspection
Make sure the inspector notifies you of other professions that need to follow up, like plumber Electricians, Heating and ventilating.
Include the systems and structural elements to be inspected.
Radon: About 10% of home includes radon inspection. Check with your home inspector to confirm he provides this service.
Find out if home inspectors are licensed.
Find out what association if any, the inspector belongs to such as the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.. or the ICC Code Certified Combination Inspector – International Code Council Code Certified which covers building (structure), electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) for one and two family residential construction.
Are the a member of a state association like the GAHI – Georgia Association of Home Inspectors.