Having a qualified, licensed home inspector come and complete a thorough home inspection is your most important opportunity to make sure you get an objective review of the condition of the home you are intending to buy. Experienced home inspectors have looked at hundreds or even thousands of homes. A qualified home inspector is trained to see problems and issues with a home and property and make recommendations that can possibly save you a lot of time money and hardship.

Choose an Inspector

You can seek recommendations or check online to find choices for an inspector. Feel free to call, check prices and availability and qualifications. Your inspector in Washington State should be; a WA State Licensed Home Inspector, be licensed by the WSDA a Structural Pest Inspector, be insured or bonded, could be a member of a national home inspection association that promotes high standards. In addition your inspector must be critical and work for you and your interests.

What to Expect at the Home Inspection

During a home inspection, the home inspector will concentrate on the condition and structure of your home and point out observed safety concerns. The home inspection is a visual inspection of the house - home inspectors do not do any destructive testing, nor can they inspect what they cannot see.

A professional home inspector should, at a minimum, inspect the following items:

• Exterior Home Site
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• Building Foundation
• Exterior Home Walls
• Roof Coverings, Flashings & Gutters
• Roof Support Structure
• Attic
• Basement
• Insulation Quality
• Garage
• Electrical
• Visible Interior and Exterior Plumbing
• Central Air and Heating System
• Interior Condition of the Home

Home Inspectors are generalists - they need to know the home's many systems and components and how they work, both independently and together. In addition, they need to understand why and how the system(s) fail. Consumers should expect a written report to describe the actual condition of the home at the time of the inspection and to provide an indication of the need for major repairs.

What Not to Expect

Home Inspectors do not do any destructive testing, nor do they have x-ray vision. Consumers should not expect their reports to include the condition of every nail, wire or pipe in the home. The Home Inspector is primarily concerned with pointing out adverse conditions and/or safety-related concerns, rather than small or cosmetic items, which are considered readily apparent to the buyers.

A home inspection is not a code compliance inspection and a home inspector will not inspect inaccessible areas of the home. In addition, the homebuyer should not expect the inspector's report to serve as a guarantee that the home's components will never fail or need repair at some point in the future. No house is perfect -- they all need regular maintenance and repair.

When You Get Your Report

Look over your report carefully, read the summary of issues at least twice. This is a time to get estimates on repairs, review the items with contractors, knowledgeable friends or family and consult your agent on how repair requests may affect your strategy of the purchase. If you have additional questions for your inspector, give them a call.

By taking some time and going through a good process, you will know what you need to know and be able to make a good decision on your purchase. By doing it right you can feel good and enjoy the process as well. Have Fun and Best Wishes!

Advice and tips care of Tom Drohan Home Inspection

Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #451
4430 Holly Lane NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335 – 253-279-9029