Just like you visit the doctor for check-ups, your home needs regular inspections, too
Home inspections are a must when buying or selling a house—we know this.
However, there are plenty of reasons to hire a qualified home inspector, even if you aren’t planning on buying or selling soon.
Maybe you want peace of mind knowing that all systems are working as they should, or simply that the major rainstorm last month didn’t cause any hidden leaks.
Many experts recommend having your home professionally inspected every two to five years. Here are six money-saving reasons why this is a good idea.
One of the primary reasons to get your home inspected by a professional inspector near you is to catch repair and maintenance problems early. A simple issue, such as a leaky kitchen faucet, can turn into a full-on flood if left unaddressed.
Plus, an inspection can also catch more serious problems that you may not see, such as missing roof shingles that could lead to leaks or pest infestations that are happening behind your walls.
Early detection can save thousands of dollars as well. Regular home inspections help uncover these issues before they have a chance to grow and put a huge dent in your bank account. The inspector’s written documentation on the condition of your home will also help you budget for future renovations and repairs.
Home inspectors are like primary care physicians. We look at the house and recommend specialists for different areas of the home. When we find a problem, we'll let you know you need an electrician or a plumber to look at this.
Most home inspectors have no ulterior motives and won’t attempt to sell you unnecessary equipment, tools, or repair services. This means you’ll get an honest and unbiased evaluation of your property (warts and all).
To get the most impartial home evaluation, make sure your inspector doesn’t have any affiliations with the contractor that may end up working on your home. Also talk to your contractor to confirm they aren’t affiliated with the real estate agent who may sell or list your home in the future.
Nobody enjoys heading into a dark crawlspace, an unfinished basement, or that forgotten corner of the attic. However, problems can creep up in those areas just as easily as in other places in your home. A good inspector will go over every inch of your property, even the parts covered in spiderwebs.
"The inspector took me along during the inspection. He showed me what he was inspecting and explained any findings. Along the way he took the opportunity to point out various utility shut-offs. He identified and explained safety concerns he found as well. The inspection was quite thorough taking a little over two hours. A comprehensive report complete with many included photographs was provided later the same day. The service was well worth the cost."
— Marshall K., Penfield, NY
Radon is a natural, odorless, colorless gas that enters homes through foundation cracks and can cause serious respiratory problems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There's no way to know you have radon without performing a test, so be sure to include it as part of your overall home inspection package. If it’s not, you can hire a local radon inspector to investigate.
If your home gets a clean bill of health, you’ll rest easy. If the inspector finds increased levels of radon, they’ll have actionable suggestions regarding mitigation.
Mold. Just hearing the word is enough to send many homeowners into a panic. It breeds easily. It smells awful. It’s tough to remove. Plus, certain types of mold can cause health problems if left untreated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Mold loves moisture and humidity, so it often lurks in hard-to-find areas of your home like basements, attics, crawlspaces, and other nooks with exposed plumbing. But luckily, a qualified home inspector can locate mold spores in the tiniest crevice and spot it before it grows into something more serious.
Home inspectors will pay special attention to any potentially dangerous components of your property, including your electrical system. They’ll examine your system in detail to ensure it is working properly and that it poses no additional risk to your family.
A home inspector can also conduct an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) inspection to ensure that the heating and cooling systems are functioning properly. This includes checking for any potential safety hazards, such as gas leaks or faulty electrical connections, that could put the occupants at risk. An HVAC inspection also helps assess the system's efficiency, which can impact energy costs and the overall comfort of the home.
If your inspector uncovers a problem in its early stages, you can hire a qualified electrician near you or local HVAC technician to address it.
