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What
is a home inspection?
Why is a home inspection important?
What is inspected?
What is not inspected?
How do I find and select a home inspector?
When should I schedule the home inspection?
How long does an inspection take?
Should I attend the home inspection?
How do I get results from a home inspection?
How do I utilize report results in
contract negotiations?
Is there a difference between inspections
of condominiums and houses?
Does it make sense to inspect new
construction?
What additional tests do I need?
What is the cost of the inspection?
What if there is a problem with the
access?
I feel that the inspector missed something…what
should I do?
What is a home
inspection?
It is an on-site visual inspection of all-accessible
systems and areas. It is a snapshot in time.
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Why is a home inspection important?
A home purchase is one of the largest investments you
will ever make. You want to protect your investment
by having a professional home inspector examine the
property you are interested in buying. Home inspectors
have a very thorough inspection system. The use of family
or friends with construction experience is not advised.
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What is inspected?
- Roofs, siding, windows, driveways, and sidewalks.
- Landscaping and grading, exterior faucets, lights
and outlets.
- Garages.
- Decks, balconies, patios.
- Basements, crawl spaces.
- Attics.
- All accessible rooms - floors, walls, ceilings,
windows, doors, switches, outlets, heat sources, etc.
- Kitchens.
- Bathrooms.
- Built in appliances (stoves, ovens, and kitchen
fans).
- Supply and waste plumbing systems.
- Heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
- Electrical systems.
- Foundations.
- Water heaters.
- Fireplaces and stoves.
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What is not inspected?
- Fences and storage sheds
- Telephones, cable TV, antennas and satellites
- Some appliances (refrigerators, microwaves)
- Cosmetics deficiencies (peeling wallpaper, carpet
cuts and stains, etc.)
- Areas not readily accessible (due to storage, locked
doors, etc.). Make sure your agent knows that all
important components have to be accessible for proper
home inspection.
- The inspector will not open any covers that are
nailed or screwed in place, except main electrical
panel.
- Areas presenting danger for inspector (ice covered
roof, flooded basement….)
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How do I find and select a
home inspector?
Home inspections industry is not regulated or licensed.
Therefore, it is important that you carefully select
a professional home inspector.
Sources of information:
- Recommendation from family and friends
- Recommendation from your real estate agent, mortgage
broker or appraiser.
- Research ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors)
and
- NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors) websites.
Members of these organizations are governed by industry
rules and a code of ethics. Inspectors have to pass
rigorous tests to become members.
- Yellow pages
Interview your home inspectors:
-
How long has the inspector or firm been in business?
-
How many inspections have they already performed?
-
Are you also involved in remodeling or repair?
(The answer should be “NO”. We see involvement
in trades as a conflict of interest)
-
Ask how long does the inspection take? Inspections
shorter than one hour are usually not very thorough
( especially for larger condominiums or houses)
- Is the inspector insured? What kind of insurance?
Obtain references from previous customers of the home
inspection firm you are interested in hiring. Do not
base your selection of an inspector on the inspection
price only!
Interview and select inspectors in advance. That will
lower your stress level during the contract period!
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When should I schedule the
home inspection?
Schedule home inspection as soon as you sign the
contract. Make sure that an inspection objection deadline
in your real estate contract gives you enough time to:
- Schedule the inspection so you can be present
- Get the results from all scheduled tests ( radon,
water)
- Get estimates for necessary repairs or replacements
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How long does an inspection
take?
An average inspection takes approximately 2 to 4
hours. Older, larger or commercial properties may take
longer
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Should I attend the home inspection?
Yes! Try to attend the home inspection. Walking
around with the inspector can be an educational process.
You will learn:
- What are the areas of concern
- How to maintain your property
- How to operate systems
- Inspector will summarize the findings and answer
all your questions or concerns
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How do I get results from a
home inspection?
- The inspection will result in a written report (click
here to receive a copy of our Residential Home Inspection
report)
- Report will be printed onsite or e-mailed to you
- Inspector will not tell you what items you should
negotiate with seller.
- Inspector will offer solutions to the problems and
refer you to the proper trade or suggest further evaluation
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How do I utilize report results
in contract negotiations?
Negotiate through your real estate agent. You can:
- Obtain estimates on necessary repairs and negotiate
cash credit with seller (we believe this is the preferable
method).
- Let seller repair the areas of concerns and reinspect
the property before closing
- All problems are fixable and negotiable. There is
no need to cancel the contract
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Is there a difference between
inspections of condominiums and houses?
Common areas (halls, stairs, etc.) and exteriors
surfaces (roof, siding, driveway, etc.) of condominium
complexes are usually the responsibility of homeowners
association. Most inspection firms do not inspect exterior
and common areas.
Contact home owners association to:
- Obtain information on what exactly is maintained
and replaced by home owners association
- Study financial statements – there should be
financial reserve to cover general maintenance
- Obtain information about planned financial assessments
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Does it make sense to inspect
new construction?
Yes, there are areas of concern even in new construction
– not everything may be functioning properly.
- Inspector will prepare “punch” list report
- Builders usually offer only a one year warranty
- Education about the property
- Preventive maintenance suggestions
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What additional tests do I
need?
Radon in the air test . Single family residences,
duplexes or condominiums with living areas in the basement,
on a concrete slab or above crawl space should be tested
for radon in the air. Radon is a natural radioactive
gas seeping into the dwellings through the cracks in
a concrete or dirt floor. EPA says that exposure to
high levels of radon can cause lung cancer.
Septic inspection and test of water quality and quantity
should be performed on houses connected to private well
and private septic system.
Areas with visible mold should be tested and cleaned.
You should know what kind of mold is present. Some mold
spores are toxic, causing for example allergies. Mitigation
of heavily molded areas could be expensive.
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What is the cost of the inspection?
The cost of a home inspection is based on square footage,
age, and complexity of the property. Know the square
footage of the property you are purchasing.
- Basic inspection fee for small condominium is approximately
$150 - $200
- Single family residences start around $250
- Fees are payable before or at the time of the inspection
- We accept checks, Visa and Master Card for payment
- Additional tests are not included in basic inspection
fees.
Please stay away from $99
inspections! Low price may indicate poor quality.
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What if there is a problem
with the access?
Sometimes there can be a problem with access to different
components (water heater, furnace, etc.) in the property.
Inspector will usually suggest a reinspection. We charge
a reinspection fee of $125.
Snow covered areas, especially roofs, cannot be inspected
during winter season. Consult your agent. Tiger does
not charge reinspection fee due to snow cover.
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I feel that the inspector
missed something…what should I do?
Contact our customer service desk immediately. The
inspector will go back to the property and re-evaluate
your claim The dispute will be handled in accordance
with our Standard Dispute Resolution Policy.
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Schedule
Your Inspection Online
If you want "Peace Of Mind"
for your next home purchase, plus lots of extra value,
then give Tiger Home & Building Inspection a call
Today to schedule your inspection!
Call
Right Now: 866-844-3726
Tiger Home & Building Inspections
offers you the benefits, experience, flexibility, and
efficiency that only a company of specialists can provide.
Our company-wide focus on personal attention, however,
makes you feel like you are the only client we have!
We provide home inspection services
to the Front Range, Mountains and Western Slope of Colorado
and all the areas in between.
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