You did it! You found your home, put an offer in and it was accepted!! Phew! Now before you move yourself and your loved ones in, don’t skip one of the most important steps to protecting not just your investment, but your family too: the home inspection.
Below we dive right into what a home inspection looks for, why you should get a home inspection and what additional services you might want to include and which ones you get to skip right over.
I’m excited! So let’s get started!!
What is a home inspection, what does it look for and why even get one?
A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home. We discuss in more detail below the many physical structures and systems that are included in our comprehensive home inspection. First let’s explain what you can actually do with that knowledge.
You likely walked through the house and had dreams of tearing down wallpaper and repainting. Perhaps you’re considering some demolition work to open up that new kitchen space. A professional home inspection can offer you reassurance by bringing to light any potential problems that might be difficult to spot, especially to a first-time home buyer.
What most people first talk about with a home inspection is the possible financial benefits when an inspection unearths problems. For instance you can sometimes negotiate with the seller to lower the home’s price or even arrange for repairs before closing. You may even decide to cancel the sale if a major issue is uncovered and no agreement can be reached with the seller.
While these are valid reasons for not waiving your home inspection, there is actually what we at Peek to Peak Home Inspections think is even more important, health and safety.
See houses, especially those built before the use of modern materials and updated building codes can have some unique issues that should be addressed before you move in. A good home inspection will look for potential health hazards.
Some health hazards include:
- Lead paint
- Asbestos
- Radon
- Water intrusion
- Mold
- Electrical deficiencies
- Pests: wood destroying organisms
We agree! An expert can save you a lot of headaches!
What add-on services should you consider for your home inspection?
We believe in education, not scare tactics so remember, not all of these issues may affect you. What your home inspection will look for can vary based on the location of the home. For instance there are different areas in the country that have a higher risk for radon than others. See our Radon Testing page for additional information, including an EPA map of radon zones in NYS.
You may also elect to have a sewer scope inspection to avoid costly repairs if there are signs of water damage, slow drains or even a section of lush lawn. Often the age of the home will also play a major factor when selecting additional services.
Many older homes will have sewer lines made from clay or cast iron. The simple truth is the older the home, the older the pipes. Old pipes can be prone to issues like root intrusion, offsets and cracking.
When considering a older home we highly recommend a sewer scope to assess the health of these lines. Given that the average cost of a sewer line replacement is around $3500 and up tp $20,000, it can certainly prove to be a worth-while investment.
Let’s Talk About Pests!
Lets discuss a creepy crawly issue: pests! Some sellers’ will disclose that there are pest problems which would make this add-on a no brainer because you, the buyer, will need to have a better understanding of the extent of damage present.
More commonly however a pest issue will not be disclosed, in large part because pests are well, small. To an untrained eye it may be difficult to assess if there is a problem, until a large enough problem exists and is noticed.
We talk about the common wood destroying organisms over on our termite inspection page so if you’re considering an older home, or want to learn more, head on over for another worth while read.
Look, we understand there are a lot of things to watch out for. That’s why we recommend not only hiring an expert but actually accompanying us during your home inspection to see, in real time, where future repairs should be made. We also encourage you to contact us for a no risk. FREE consultation.
Every situation is different and we have made it our priority to offer affordable, quality home inspections. That is just one benefit of choosing a personable. local, family owned and operated business like us. Simply put we care more about quality and ensuring you, the home buyer, are educated about your large, yet exciting investment for your future than we do about reaching sales’ goals. Contact Us Today
What is included in my home inspection report?
During your comprehensive home inspection I will visually examine the home’s major structures including, but not limited to, the:
- Exterior
- Roof and attic
- Basement and/or crawl space
- Foundation
I will also do a detailed inspection of systems and components including:
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Heating and cooling
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Doors
- Windows
- Walls
- Ceilings
Throughout the inspection, we look for defects and deficiencies, improper building practices, items that may require extensive repair, general maintenance issues, and some fire and safety issues. I also take pictures, every step of the way so you can always reference what we talked about during the home inspection later.
Why Peek to Peak Home Inspections, LLC?
Peek to Peak is a local, family run business, owned and operated by Dan MacPeek. Dan trained with Western New York School of Real Estate and earned his NYS Home Inspector license in April of 2019. Dan continues his education with InterNACHI, The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, and has completed the Certified Professional Inspector Program. Learn more.
You don’t need to take our word for it!
With Dan there are no surprises! With 25+ years of experience, We will help you identify everything that you should know before you buy – including those tough to spot issues that creep up in later years – all at an affordable flat rate.
The Bottom Line
It doesn’t matter if this is your first home or your forever home, you don’t want surprises. While every house will have minor repairs, its important to know if there are big issues present too. Surprise expenses can be a real disappointment on the excitement of purchasing a new home. By hiring an expert home inspector, you limit your risk of future repairs and gain the information you need to make future financial decisions.
If you’re ready for your inspection, get started today by filling out our contact form. You can also call us at (716) 982-7253 or email us at peektopeakhomeinspections@gmail.com.