What is your dream home hiding? Don’t move forward with buying a home until you have a home inspection Philadelphia expert take a look! Home inspection is an important part of the home-buying process that can save you from unexpected costs down the line. While a home inspector can’t make the call for you when it comes to “deal breakers” in a home, they can help you know exactly what you’d be taking on if you moved forward with a home purchase. Inspection Professionals of Philadelphia can give you the information you need to make an informed, empowered decision.
The Different Types of Home Inspectors in Philadelphia
When looking for home inspection Philadelphia PA companies, it’s important to find a team of experts capable of providing the right kind of inspection. It’s also important to know that Philadelphia home inspection cost will vary based on the inspection level you’re requesting. While general home inspectors provide a general assessment of a home’s major systems, specialty inspectors look for specific issues tied to wells, furnaces, radon, lead paint, water damage, or fire hazards. Make sure you’re getting the right type of inspection based on the signs your under-contract home is giving off!
At Inspection Professionals in Huntingdon Valley, PA, we offer a full scope of inspection services for existing homeowners, sellers, and buyers throughout Bucks County. We’re the company you can trust to keep the home you’re already living in safe. We’re also the company homebuyers count on to get accurate assessments before finalizing offers. A standard home inspect includes:
- Roof structure.
- Plumbing systems and fixtures.
- HVAC systems.
- Electrical systems.
- Boilers.
- Home exteriors.
- Home interiors.
What if you’re concerned about specific structural or safety hazards hiding a home? If you’re looking for a more exhaustive Philadelphia home inspection, you can also request detailed inspections of specific components of a property. Inspection Professionals proudly offers detailed inspections for well flow, radon, wood-destroying insects, stucco, sewers, and more.
What to Expect from a Home Inspector
Home inspectors Philadelphia residents trust always have one thing in common. They’re passionate about giving homeowners accurate answers about what’s hiding in a home. Home inspectors are different from other professionals because they take a neutral stance based solely on the findings they uncover during an inspection.
What should you expect when hiring a home inspector in Philadelphia? First, your home inspector will ask for some basic details regarding the property. They will then inform you of the standard tests that go into a typical home inspection. During this conversation, you’ll have a chance to discuss any specific concerns you have about a property that might make you feel compelled to add specialty testing to the standard home inspection. One of the benefits of working with a local home inspection company right here in Philadelphia is that our experts have experience with the common problems that homeowners encounter with their properties based on weather, soil type, or architectural features. This enables us to make recommendations about specific tests to include in your inspection based on a home’s age, style, and location.
The Home Inspection Process
A home inspection in Philadelphia should be booked as soon as your offer is accepted on a home. In most cases, a contract provides a buyer with a window for inspection lasting just seven to 10 days. This essential window provides time to find an inspector, book an inspection, and receive results that will help the buyer to decide if they want to move forward with a purchase.
It’s possible for a home inspection to reveal a problem that is large enough for the buyer to decide that they want to back out of the deal. It’s also possible that a buyer may be able to use issues detected during an inspection to negotiate a lower price with the seller. In most cases, an inspection simply provides buyers with peace of mind over the fact that they are going into what may be the biggest investment of their lives with their eyes fully open! There’s no need to assume the worst. Most home inspections only turn up basic maintenance and cosmetic issues that the buyer was already expecting.
It’s important to note that home inspectors can only see the seeable. They may not be able to detect asbestos, pest infestations, broken septic tanks, or mold unless telltale signs can be observed on the surface. A homeowner desiring an in-depth inspection focused on specific hazards and dangers will need to book a specialty inspection that goes beyond the scope of the basic home inspection.
Once the inspection is complete, the inspector may take a few days to compile all of the findings into a report. This report will then be provided to the client. In addition to providing this detailed report, an inspector will also go over every line of the report with the client to ensure that they can make sense of the findings. The inspector’s findings represent an objective, unbiased position that is not designed to sway a buyer’s mind in either direction.
What Home Inspectors Look For
The role of the home inspector is to detect any potential issues with a home’s interior and exterior. An inspection also includes all of a home’s major systems. The goal of an inspection is to document both major and minor issues that will become “your problem” once you take ownership of a home. Here’s a deeper look at what a basic home inspection might cover:
- Foundation: Cracked and compromised foundations are often “deal breakers” because they can be costly. Your inspector will assess the perimeter of the home to spot settlement issues, cracks, or sloping. If a home has a crawl space, your inspector will get in there to spot signs of mold, moisture, or warping. Inspectors can also report on the workmanship of any previous foundation work they spot.
- Roof: Roof tiles, flashing, gutters, vents, and skylights are all included in a standard inspection. An inspector can give you a rough estimate of how many years a roof has left before a replacement will be needed. Inspectors also look at the general condition of every roof component to spot signs of leaks, mold growth, or missing shingles.
- Plumbing: Showers, tubs, sinks, faucets, toilets, spigots, and piping are included in an inspection. Inspectors also look for any telltale signs of leakage, corrosion, or cracked pipes.
- Electrical:Inspectors look at panels to ensure that wiring and grounding are up to code. They’ll also test switches, receptacles, and outlets.
- HVAC: While a standard home inspection doesn’t cover every detail of an HVAC system, you’ll get an assessment of a system’s overall efficiency and reliability.
Home inspectors won’t necessarily get into every nook and cranny in a home. If an inspector believes a “deeper dive” is needed for any component of a home, they will make a recommendation for a specialty inspection. It’s also important to know that some features are never included in a standard home inspection. A home inspector generally won’t perform services tied to landscaping, appliances, paint, code compliance, or areas that are concealed by walls.
The Importance of a Home Inspection
It’s impossible to make an informed decision about a home purchase without the insight of a home inspector. Even homes that appear perfectly polished on the outside can conceal broken systems, fire hazards, rot, foundational issues, and shoddy DIY work. An inspection report allows you to make one of the following decisions:
- 1. A home requires too many serious repairs to be a good investment. It’s time to walk away before losing a significant amount of money.
- 2. A home has more “hidden” faults than expected. It’s time to get back to the negotiation table using documented evidence of issues to see if the seller will lower the price.
- 3. While a home requires significant repairs, it’s still a good investment. It’s time to start saving for necessary repairs.
- 4. A home offers a reasonable amount of surface and cosmetic repairs. It’s time to move forward with this deal!
If you refuse an inspection during the offer phase, you are unlikely to have any legal recourse when a serious issue is uncovered after you close on a home. That means that you could potentially uncover flaws that require thousands of dollars in repairs after you take ownership of a property. The inspection period preserves a buyer’s right to make an informed decision.
How to Choose a Home Inspector
Experience matters when choosing a Philadelphia home inspection company. Look for a company with local experience performing home inspections on both old and new homes. It’s also important to look for a home inspection company capable of offering a wide variety of inspection services. If you decide that you’d like to add on radon testing, well testing, or other services that aren’t standard with home inspections, working with a company that offers these services can help you to save time during the tight home-inspection window provided to buyers.
Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector
Always select inspectors who are licensed, certified and qualified to perform inspections right here in Pennsylvania. A reputable inspector should also provide simple, concise reports outlining every finding. Finally, inspectors should have an understanding of the importance of prompt inspections with flexible timing when dealing with homebuyers who are up against tight deadlines. It’s always a good sign when a home inspector is eager to answer your questions as they help you through what can be an overwhelming process for first-time buyers!
FAQs
What are the benefits of home inspections?
Professional home inspections provide detailed reports about a home’s roof, plumbing, electrical system, and foundation that allow buyers to make informed choices.
Should I waive a lead-based inspection when buying a home?
While every buyer needs to make their own decision, giving up your right to any inspection could leave you with costly, unexpected repairs. Waiving an inspection for lead paint could result in dangerous lead exposure.
Find a Qualified Home Inspector in Philadelphia
Don’t give up your right to a home inspection! Inspection Professionals of Bucks County has the home inspectors Philadelphia residents trust. Our team of qualified, licensed inspectors is capable of inspecting all types of homes in the Philadelphia area. In addition to providing concise and complete reports, we’re also transparent about home inspection Philadelphia cost factors when providing custom quotes. Book your inspection today!
