A home inspection, especially a comprehensive one, is a necessary process to complete in several situations. If you’re buying a new home or renovating your current property, doing a thorough home inspection is how you avoid a lot of potential issues further down the line. The home inspection will also reveal potential problems before they turn into serious issues.
There are many companies and service providers that can help you with doing a home inspection. Even contractors now offer free inspections before providing you with quotes for projects. When you do get your home inspected, be sure to follow these tips to make the most out of the process.
The Right People
The person or team doing the inspection will greatly influence the results you get in return. You want experts with sufficient experience and the right set of skills checking specific parts of the house for potential issues. This way, you know the inspection will catch signs of problems effectively.
When doing a roof inspection, for instance, you want an expert in roofing to be extra certain that things like leaks, signs of moisture, poor installation, and other problems are discovered. An expert will even be able to determine if your roof is suffering from reduced wind uplift resistance from minor telltale signs.
A pre-construction inspection, on the other hand, requires someone with health and safety knowledge. You want experts that have completed well-regarded courses like the ZOTApro 30 Hour OSHA program to help anticipate hazards and supervise the project.
Be a Part of the Process
It isn’t always possible to be involved in a thorough home inspection, especially in a pre-construction inspection, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be present during the inspection at all. Being part of the process is very important. By being on-site, the experts inspecting your house can walk you through every step of the process and give you a better understanding of what you are facing.
At the same time, you have the opportunity to make sure that the inspection is done correctly and thoroughly. Even the best inspectors miss one or two spots sometimes, so your fresh pair of eyes is a huge help. Provide input based on your experience with the property. Spotting potential issues is a lot easier for everyone involved.
Document Everything
Lastly, be sure to document everything. This is a standard practice among professional home inspectors but doing it yourself is also recommended. Take pictures of things like moisture spots on the wall or cracks, ask questions and write down the feedback you get in return, and make a list of issues you need to fix as the property is being inspected.
The details you capture will act as a comparison and supporting evidence to the final report you will receive after the inspection. Maintaining your own records is also handy for when you need to get another inspection done to get a second opinion. Consider doing your own pre-inspection and compare the results you get with the final report for more insights on the kind construction issues you face.
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