When purchasing a home, a home inspection is an important part of the home buying process. You can test drive a car and try on clothes before you purchase them but you can’t do this with a new home. If you choose to have a home inspection, this will take away some of the fears and uncertainties you might have regarding the home you are purchasing. Although all home inspectors are different in how they do their job, there is a typical home inspection checklist that they all follow. 
1. Structural Elements (Walls, Floors, Ceilings, Foundations)
You do not want to purchase a home that might tumble down in a few years. A home inspection will keep you from buying a property that is not structurally sound. During the home inspection process, a home inspector will closely examine the home’s structural elements. They will look for cracks, stuck doors and uneven floors. If they find any of these issues, it can mean that there is a problem with the home’s foundation. In most cases when a structural issue is found, it is best to not purchase the home due to high costs to repair and uncertainty that the home will be safe to occupy.
2. Roof
When an inspector inspect the roof, they look for loose or damaged shingles, signs of water damage, leaks, mold and sagging. Sagging is a major issue and suggests the roof should be replaced. Replacing a roof is a huge expense to a homeowner. This is another time when you might want to walk away, ask the seller to drop the price of the home to cover the cost of replacing the roof or ask the seller to replace the roof.
3. HVAC Systems
The HVAC system is also a big expense when it comes to owning a home. An inspector will check the system for leaks, sediment build-up and issues with the pressure. Even if the current HVAC system is running, it doesn’t mean it is running efficiently which can cost a lot to run and replace.
4. Electrics
An inspector will look at each and every electric system in a home to make sure they are up to code and safe to use. An outdated wiring tub or knob can be very dangerous. Before moving in, you will want this fixed either by the seller or yourself.
5. Plumbing
An inspector will also look at all the plumbing elements and will look for leaky pipes and faucets, damaged sump pumps and inefficient septic tanks. A small leak or small plumbing issue needs to be addressed because it can add up in water bills.
6. Attic and Basement
When inspecting the attic or basement of a home, an inspector is looking for water damage. During the inspection, they will also take the time to look at the insulation and make sure it is properly installed. Usually when water dampness is found in the attic or basement of a home, this means there is a bigger issue.
7. Dangerous Substances
Older homes, especially those built during and before the 1970’s, were built with materials that are now known to be harmful. If an inspector finds asbestos or lead-based paint, then these substances have to be removed. There are specialists that come in and remove these dangerous substances and the process is very expensive.
8. Doors and Windows
An inspector should and will look over all the doors and windows making sure there are no cracked panes, inadequate seals, faulty handlers and broken mechanisms. If you have to replace all the doors and the windows this can be a big expense and if you keep them the same it can also be a bigger utility bill each month.
9. Exterior Components
When an inspector looks at the outside of the home, they are looking at the exterior walls and the pipework mainly. Usually these issues are a quick and easy fix such as unclogging blocked drains, or just giving a fresh paint job.
Remember getting a home inspection is a smart move on your part because it can save you heartache time and money in the long run. A typical home inspection will cost between $300 and $500 depending on the location of the home and the size of the home. This is just a small price to pay to avoid purchasing a house with huge costly repairs.
