You’re finally buying the property of your dreams! You’ve scavenged through the depths of the internet, found a great place that resembles your dream house, and you have finally come to pay a visit to the property. It all looks great with ample space to recreate your Pinterest board here, and you’re over the moon about closing the deal soon. And that’s where we’d like you to stop.
Perhaps your inexperienced eyes have missed out on some structural flaws, you might have checked the electric wiring but forgot about the plumbing, and did you look at the roofing? Home inspectors can help you save thousands of dollars with a single inspection.
- Energy Audits
To begin with, this isn’t a common service that home inspectors provide. It is a special (additional) service to be requested while getting your potential home inspected. You can speak to your inspector beforehand to know if they offer this service or have any recommended contractors to do so.
Home audits are energy assessments that help give you a perspective of the energy use around the house. It focuses on understanding the major causes of energy leaks in the property, in turn helping you prioritize repairs in the problematic areas. This helps make your property more efficient and safe. Working on an energy audit includes using tools such as thermal imaging, infrared cameras, lower doors, and much more.
- Water Damage & Mold Testing
Mold, aka the archnemesis of new property owners, is something you won’t have to worry about if you hire a professional home inspector! But an amateur would miss visible signs of mold infestation.
Water damage is a common problem in many houses, which can lead to disasters such as dry rot, toxic mold, and fungal infestation. Additionally, it can also cause lung problems in the long run and trigger allergies and skin infections. It’s best to avoid it at all costs when you’re looking for property to buy.
Visible signs of mold underneath the drywall include damp ceilings, windows, and walls; water stains; and powdery residue on the surfaces. Inspections consult air and surface tests using specialized equipment to analyze the property and give you perfect results each time. If you opt for mold inspection and testing inspected before buying the property, you can save hundreds of dollars on mold removal and cleaning services later.
- Roofing
It’s possible for you to have missed out on some major roof problems while touring your potential home; after all, we’re not all trained to analyze a property professionally. Roofing issues commonly include worn-out roofs, worn-out surfaces, improper installation, missed tiling or flashings, and cracks in the plaster.
Since roofing issues are relatively easy to discover (by home inspectors), you’re in safe waters. Landing yourself in a deal with a house with roofing issues can cost you thousands of dollars worth of repair and reinstallations! And we’re sure, no one wants that!
- Issues In Foundation
Foundation flaws include cracked walls, incorrectly installed doors and doorframes, sloping floors, and more. These issues build over time due to neglect in repairing the problems when they are new. If you’re buying a previously owned house, make sure to get it inspected to know the exact amount you would have to spend on repairs to avoid a bad deal. Knowing more about the foundation issues can also help you avoid imperfect constructed properties, saving you from major disasters.
Home inspectors most commonly assess systems, such as heating and cooling, electrical wiring, plumbing, duct and HVAC. They also thoroughly inspect previous damage to the property to know more and help you understand just how much maintenance and repair would go into making this the home of your dreams. So, ensure you hire a professional to help you make the best property-related decision possible. Because it’s always wise to seek help rather than investing in a money pit.
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