What Should I Know About My Home Inspection?

Magnifying glass to your home - Home Inspection in Shawnee, KS

You have just found out that the offer on your dream home has been accepted. It is a very exciting time! Before you start picking out paint colors and new furniture, though, don’t forget the home inspection – a very important step to take before the sale is finalized. You should have your home inspected by one of the qualified, experienced home inspectors at ACM Home Inspection. Here are answers to some common questions about inspections.

The home inspection takes place after the seller has accepted your offer but before you officially purchase the house. A home inspector is able to give an unbiased assessment of the home’s condition, the details of which are documented in a report, which includes photographs of any problems. If issues are found that you want the seller to fix, this is your chance to negotiate with them over these repairs, or walk away from the sale completely if there are just too many things wrong with the home. And don’t forget that any repairs that are done should be reinspected so you can be assured they were taken care of properly.

It is important to note that a home inspector is different than an appraiser: he or she won’t tell you if you’re getting a good value for what you are paying for the home. They can only tell you about the home’s quality and the need for any repairs.

How is a home inspection done?

A home inspector uses his or her own tools of the trade, normal homeowner controls, and visual observation. A basic inspection will cover these areas:
The grounds
The home’s exterior
Roof and attic
HVAC system
Electrical system
Plumbing
Structure and foundation
The interior
Thermal imaging and moisture detection may be used in areas of concern

Should I be there when the inspection is done?

Any inspector you hire should be happy to have you attend the inspection. It is especially important for homebuyers to attend the inspection summary, which will typically begin about 2 hours after the start of the inspection.

Is a home inspection required?

No, a home inspection is not required, and some people may not want to bother because they don’t want to pay the fee for the inspection on top of the other costs that come with buying a new home. However, a home inspection may reveal issues that can cost you a lot of money in the long run, problems that may make you decide this isn’t the home for you, and even problems that may be dangerous if they are not repaired.

Christian Amend of ACM Home Inspection is an engineer with 10 years of home inspection experience. When he performs a home inspection, he is working for you, with an honest and upfront assessment of your potential new home’s condition. Call ACM Home Inspection today to schedule your home inspection, at (913) 353-6869.