Be proactive with home maintenance to save time and money
Preventive inspections can stop problems before they start.
They usually cost between $300 and $400.
Any home inspector can perform them.
Just like your annual physical, your home needs periodic check-ups to keep everything running at peak performance. While commercial buildings often have a preventive maintenance checklist so they don’t experience unforeseen downtime, it’s easy to forget to implement a system in your home.
Here’s what you need to know about preventative home maintenance inspections.
When you buy a home, you hire a home inspector to examine the property and make notes about its condition. Home inspectors don’t actually fix anything, but they do allow you to get a clear picture of what needs fixing or what will need fixing in the future. There’s also a chance to ask your home inspector questions about your property’s condition. A preventive home maintenance inspection works in the same way.
Certified home inspectors are the best option for a home maintenance inspection. You don’t want to hire someone too specialized, like an electrician or a plumber, because they won’t be able to give you a blanket picture of the entire home. If you want to get a preventive home maintenance inspection, hire a local home inspector to do the job. When you’re researching who to hire, make sure that your pro belongs to the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
A preventive home maintenance inspection usually costs between $300 and $400, depending on the square footage of your home and your geographical location. Some home inspectors charge a flat rate for up to 2,000 square feet, then there is an additional charge for square footage in increments.
Much like your pre-purchase home inspection, your home inspector will walk through the home and make notes about anything they find that needs attention. They’ll look at the HVAC system, roof, foundation, electrical, and plumbing. Once they’ve finished, they should walk you through your home and point out problems.You can ask any questions you have at that time, but keep in mind that your pro won’t offer repair recommendations because it’s not usually in the scope of their job. About 24 to 72 hours after the inspection, your pro should send you a written report detailing everything they observed.
To keep your home in the best shape, plan on getting a preventive home maintenance inspection every three to five years. While it may seem easier to wait until something needs fixing, it’s usually far less costly to catch issues before they become bigger problems. If for no other reason than peace of mind, you should try to schedule one at least every five years.
Once your pro has finished and you know what the problems are, you can plan to deal with them. Home inspectors know what to prioritize and can advise you on what is urgent, and what can wait a few months. As a general rule, you should deal with structural, electrical, or plumbing issues immediately.
