Home inspections are an important part of both buying and selling a home. We are featuring guest blogger George Sadwoski from By George Inspections to get an expert perspective on everything you need to know about home inspections.
Introducing: George Sadwoski
I am a member of InterNACHI, AHIO, the Birmingham Association of Realtors, BNI, and the BBB. By George Inspections has been in business for almost five years. In that time, I have completed thousands of inspections for clients, all with 5-star reviews on my website and Facebook.
Introducing: Home Inspections
It is important to pick a reputable inspector. Use a home inspector certified as a licensed inspector with the state. Make sure your inspector is insured with E&O and Liability Insurance.
It is also important to clarify what your inspection includes. A home inspection is not a warranty for the home. It is an agreement to provide a client with a written report identifying issues the inspector observed, and problems deemed defects. These comments will not comprise the report. They are supplementary to the seller’s disclosure.
An inspection is a non-invasive and issues fall into four categories:
- Major defects, such as structural failure
- Issues that can lead to major defects, such as a small leak on the roof
- Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home if not immediately rectified
- Safety hazards, such as exposed or live bus bars
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. It is important to realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in an inspection report. No house is perfect, so keep this in perspective as you move into your new home.
Safety First
When performing an inspection, the inspector must first look out for his or her safety. If they see or detect mold, they are required to back out of the area and inform the client of the situation, as it can be very serious to them and the homeowner. If a roof is too steep or wet, I use binoculars to visually check the roof from a window. We also use drones to inspect hard to reach areas. This also avoids causing additional damage to the roof by walking on the shingles and abrading the sand from the shingles.
Crawl spaces and areas of confinement are tough to inspect, but I have a self-propelled robot crawler with cameras and lights to get into tight and confined areas. We have to look out for spiders, rodents, especially in these areas. Attics can be tough due to potential hazards like low headroom, deep insulation, and faulty wiring.
An inspection is supposed to be non-invasive, meaning a lot of inspectors do not pull panels from electrical panels, but I always do a visual inspection to assess the gauge of the wiring, breaker amperage, and to see the amperage rating of the service.
A home purchase is one of the biggest investments most people make in their lifetime, and it is important to have an inspector that is certified.
Remember my tag line, “Anyone else is just looking around.”
By George Sadowski
www.Bygeorgeinspections.com
205-907-4732
