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Should I have a Home Inspection?
Home Inspection is a specialized skill and there are inspectors who have expertise in this area. The cost for getting real estate inspected depends upon the detailed level of inspection desired. There are different types of inspections that can be performed, though not all buyers get all types of inspections done. Some of the most common types of inspections are:
General Home Inspection:
A single home inspector may be able to provide you with a complete service that covers many areas/aspects of the home like: basement, attic, bathrooms, electric/wiring, insulation, plumbing, gas/fuel, furnace, heating and cooling systems, built-in appliances, foundation, construction, masonry walls, fireplaces and chimneys, roof, etc. This is useful for going over the overall details of the house.
Pest/termite Inspection:
During this type of inspection you would find out if the house has any pests (termites, carpenter ants or other boring pests) problem. The pest/termite inspector can often also report on structural irregularities such as wood rot, foundation displacement etc. Some of the local pest control agencies may be able to offer you such a service for nominal rates.
Plumbing Inspection:
A general home inspector usually determines the state of plumbing by checking some things such as water pressure, condition and type of drains & pipes, leaks, rust etc. But, if you want to have a more thorough plumbing inspection done then consider hiring a plumbing inspector.
Water Testing:
Cities and towns that supply water are usually required to conduct quite extensive and routine water tests to ensure the quality of water. Hence, in such cases you might want to consider relying on the city/town's water tests which are usually much more elaborate than what you/your inspector can conduct. On the other hand, if the house has a private source of water such as a well, water testing should be considered. Water testing labs can typically tell you the bacteria content and mineral content of water. It might also be a good idea to test the gallons-per-minute pumping capacity of the well pump.
Lead Testing:
This testing checks for lead content in the house. A lead testing specialist may perform this test in various locations of the house.
Urea Formaldehyde:
You may want to test for urea formaldehyde in the house.
Asbestos:
You may want to test for Asbestos in the house.
Electrical:
The general home inspection usually covers basic electrical system inspection comprising checking amperage, checking for exposed wires, determination of type of wiring, wiring and outlets adequacy, etc.. If your inspector determines that there is a problem in the electrical system (for example, aluminum wiring which has been declared by the federal government as an "imminent hazard"), an inspection by an electrician might be in order.
New Home Inspection:
Some of the inspections described above also apply to new homes. In addition, you may also want to perform an inspection for: construction type and material used, ensuring that the new appliances are installed as designed, ensuring that all fittings and equipment are used as per specification and agreement, chances of water seepage in the basement, possibility of roof leakage, any new land grading issues etc.
Note 1:
This checklist is meant to give you a sense of inspection areas to look into when considering purchasing a property. But, it is by no means an exhaustive list of all the different kinds of inspections that can/should be performed. There may be other types of inspections as well and you must carefully consider all your options. Not all home buyers perform all the inspections. You have to make your own decision as to which ones are of value to you and are relevant. Consider obtaining additional information from professional home inspection services, home inspection books, CAHI (Canadian Association of Home Inspectors), etc..
Note 2:
Some provinces and states require the seller to fill-out and sign a Property Disclosure Statement. Ask your Realtor for a copy on the home that you are interested in purchasing. |
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© 2010 Chuck Gulyas - RE/MAX real estate - Lethbridge - 517 6 Street South - Lethbridge, AB T1J 2E1 |
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