What does a home inspector check for?

I know they check a lot but just curious what they check. TIA

Re: What does a home inspector check for?

The things I remember - they checked a lot more:

> Plumbing - making sure there's no visible leaks (put on the water, etc.)
> The Roof (he went up to make sure everything looked good)
> Electric - outlets as well as in general
> Boiler
> Heaters
> General appearance
> Around the house - assuring there's no cracks, etc.

What does a home inspector check for?

To sum it up, they look at pretty much everything.
My table of contents are as follows;

GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL EXTERIOR OF HOUSE

DRIVEWAYS, WALKWAYS, & STOOPS

FENCES

RETAINING WALLS

AIR CONDITIONING

STORAGE SHEDS

POOL

ROOF

ATTIC & VENTILATION

GARAGE

FOUNDATION

BASEMENT

BIOLOGICAL GROWTH

WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS

HEATING & HOT WATER

WATER HEATER

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

PLUMBING SYSTEM

OTHER INTERIOR ROOMS

KITCHEN & BATHROOM

now within each of these sections, he gave detailed information about whats good, whats ok, and what needs improvement.
Checked water out of fucetes, flushing toilets, and structural concerns, furnace, see if there was previous terminate treamtens, electrial outlets, breakbox, water damage, chimmney, roof, attic, windows....

He can't touch the appliances but our commented on them.

My report came with detailed picture pointing at various elements that need address and general pictures as well. I know a great guy if you need someone that is based out of Kings Park

Re: What does a home inspector check for?

Same as above except he also check all the appliances, water temp to the faucet, electrical panel, any gaps in the in caulking around Windows, loose shower tiles, every light switch and outlet. He was amazing! I used him for a condo and he still went up and checked the roof, for termites even though these things are the managements responsility. I had a 32 page detailed report w photos that night

Re: What does a home inspector check for?

They visually inspect the interior and exterior of the house, focusing on things like structure, roof, windows, and major systems (heating, electrical, plumbing). They tend to spend most of the inspection in the basement in a lot of houses, because that's usually where the major things are located!

Many home inspectors are also certified to do a termite/wood destroying insect inspection, which will be required by any lender (if you are getting a mortgage). I always advise my clients that it's best to do the termite inspection at the same time as the home inspection -- both for efficiency's sake, and for the buyer's peace of mind. And it's always good to negotiate everything upfront (if repairs or treatments are needed) and to go to contract with no loose ends (or as few as possible). So I would check to make sure the home inspector can do both inspections, and if not, see if he can recommend a termite inspector.

The home inspector usually have detailed websites that set forth exactly what they look at and what you can expect.

I would also make sure that any inspector you hire will be able to provide a report in a timely way. Most will email the written report within 24 hours of the inspection, but I've had a few that only hand deliver or mail the report and who have taken a LOT of time to generate the report. In this fast-moving market, it's just not acceptable. Buyers need to push to contract asap.

Just keep in mind that a home inspector is somewhat limited in what he can do. He can only look at what's accessible -- in other words, he can't see in walls (to look at pipes, wiring, water issues), and he can't make holes in sheetrock or even pull up carpet or move furniture (some will be more aggressive, but they aren't supposed to). So while a home inspection is helpful, it's not a be-all/end-all inspection.

And also keep in mind that the home inspector's job is to give you information on the house, not to "pass" or "fail" the house. A lot of buyers are surprised with the amount of issues that a home inspector will raise, but he is giving you information (in most cases) on how to maintain the house or on improvements you may want to make. The information you get can either help you going forward with the house, or maybe make you decide not to buy it. Not everything you are told is something that is "wrong" with the house per se, or something that you should ask the seller to take care of. The inspectors are really detailed, because they have a duty to you to point out every little thing. If you go in with the right mindset, that the inspection is for your info and benefit, it will seem less overwhelming and scary.