Home inspections are one of the last steps in the home buying process, and are one of the most confusing for homeowners. As a result, there are a lot of questions that home inspectors are asked, and some more frequently than others.
Here are the most frequently asked questions that home inspectors get.
Read More: What Do Home Inspectors Look For?
How Long Does an Inspection Take?
A home inspection typically takes around 2 to 3 hours. However, this can change based on different houses and various factors.
These variables include:
- Older houses
- Larger homes
- Inspections with added services
- Houses with older appliances & systems
What is Covered in a Home Inspection?
A home inspection looks at everything inside and outside of the home. Each system within the house (electrical, plumbing, water, and heating), the structure, roof, attic, walls, etc.
Home inspectors do not look at every single detail of every appliance however, they do a general assessment to make sure that everything is in good shape. They are not specialists in every single component of a home, but they are able to find major defects that may not be obvious to the average person.
Read More: Home Inspection Checklist
Should I – or Can I – be Present for the Inspection?
The buyer can absolutely be there for the inspection, in fact it is highly recommended that they are there.
The home inspection is for the buyer, so that they can see the house for what it is, and be aware of defects that the inspector may find. The buyer can ask the inspector questions that they have about the home, and these questions can be answered honestly and accurately.
As for the homeowner, it is highly suggested that they do not attend the home inspection of the buyer. If it is a pre-sale inspection that the owner has set up for themselves, then they should be there.
However, if the buyer is having a home inspection done, the owner being present will be awkward and get in the way of the inspector doing their job. It will be uncomfortable for the inspector to point out defects for fear of upsetting the owner, and the buyer will not want to ask questions that could potentially ruin the deal.
Is it Possible to Fail a Home Inspection?
The straightest answer is no, a home cannot fail a home inspection. There is no such thing as pass or fail for inspections, they simply point out defects that are found.
The purpose of a home inspection is to help the buyer see the home in the most transparent way possible, so that they can buy a home knowing what they are getting into.
What Kind of Report Will I Receive?
Your home inspector will put all of the things that they find in the house into a report that is clean and easy to use. This report will contain everything that you need to know in order to make a decision on moving forward with the home or not.
See more about reports here.
