A Beginner’s Guide To Home Inspections

Getting into the housing market, while lucrative, is also risky in several ways. It’s a big decision that will affect your peace of mind as a house can look great on the outside, but be hiding all kinds of troublesome issues the previous owners either don’t know about or would like to forget. Finding a home inspector that can assist in locating hard-to-see damage, moisture build-up and offer advice on how to rectify the issues is a significant step towards a home that always looks great and holds its value.

To help you out, True Blue Home Inspections has formulated a Beginner’s Guide to home inspections that genuinely makes a difference. In this guide, I lead the way to the best possible home inspection services that are informative and offer comprehensive reports.

Getting Started

Hire a professional: To truly get an understanding of the property, the condition of the amenities, and gauge what the repair costs will approximately come to, hiring a competent and experienced home inspector is vital. Additionally, professional home inspectors bring along machines and equipment like thermal imaging systems to locate and pinpoint water damage and compromised insulation in your home.

Do your research: Unlike ten years ago, today, home inspectors are a dime a dozen, so it’s essential that you take your time and do your research before making any haste decisions. Checking online reviews is a great way to check the company’s competence. Similarly, talking to people who have worked with them, such as real estate agents, will also give you an idea of what to expect, ensuring a thorough inspection and complete satisfaction.

Next Steps

Choose a contractor that fits your project: When it comes down to the final decision, asking the right questions and doing your research can help you choose the right home inspector. But at the same time, you must trust your instincts as they are often spot-on. Remember, the size of the company is not an indicator of quality. Instead, their track record, reviews, and portfolio of work should be taken into account to ensure the highest quality home inspections.

Call in the professionals and begin: Once you’ve decided on a home inspection company, and considered the inspection cost, now it’s time to call in the cavalry to get the job done. Choosing a professional as smart as their experience and knowledge come in handy when determining the maintenance process for different aspects like heat retention and insulation.

Advice From The Pros

Remember, all home inspections have limitations: A tip for homebuyers to remember is that while the inspector has your best interest in mind, what they can discover and report is limited by access restraints, heavy furnishings, etc. Even after the entire home is cleared, some areas can be hard to view, making it challenging to inspect certain areas and rule them out as an issue. To negate this for condominium buyers, it is advisable that you review the condo documents to learn of any past or future repair programs that may affect the property and its overall cost. Similarly, for single-family home buyers, it is advisable that they press the seller for any information concerning past repairs and regular maintenance issues.

Be present during the inspection and keep in touch with your inspector: It is a good idea to be present at the inspection to witness the discovery of and possible scope of repair a defect may require. It will help in creating a budget and not getting in over your head. Finally, staying in touch with your inspector is great, as if you need further clarification or advice, home inspectors are familiar with different property issues and should be able to lead you to solutions to significant problems.

At True Blue Home Inspections, my goal is to exceed your expectations. I am a leading home inspector based in Chicago, Illinois, with eighteen years of experience inspecting all types of buildings. As an ASHI Certified home inspector, I provide insurance so clients know they are protected. While I work on many residential homes, I also assist with other inspections that my clients might need.

Visit my website to learn more or contact True Blue Home Inspections today.