Category: Home Inspection

Electrical Training Products

Electrician’s Guide to the Building Regulations includes the latest guidance on third-party certification schemes and covers relevant parts of the Building Regulations, including Fire Safety, Ventilation and Conservation of Energy.

This building regulation guide has been fully updated to BS 7671:2018. The 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations publishes in July 2018 and comes into effect on 1st January 2019. All new installations from this point must comply with BS 7671:2018. Inside this guide, you’ll find an in-depth and comprehensible breakdown of the building regulations from an electrician’s perspective.

For more information on Electrician’s Guide to the Building Regulations, and our other guides, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, or look at our electrician training courses.

Electrical licences

This guideline is aimed at providing an overview of responsibilities that are now incumbent upon you under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 (the Act) and pursuant regulations.

A Grade electrician responsibilities

As a Licensed ‘A’ grade electrician, you must:

upon receipt, sign your A grade licence card

notify Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) within 10 days of any change of name and/or address details

when carrying out electrical installation work and at the request of ESV, produce your A grade licence card, or details of your licence

ensure all electrical circuits are correctly isolated from supply or adequate precautions are taken to prevent shock or injury

guidance on safe work on low voltage is detailed in AS/NZS 4836

ensure your electrical installation work complies with the Act, Electricity Safety (General) Regulations and relevant standards

complete all mandatory tests on your electrical installation work in accordance with the Act and Electricity Safety (General) Regulations before it is connected to an electricity supply

complete the appropriate Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) within the required times for the work undertaken

See ‘ESVConnect COES Guide’ or ‘Paper COES system explained’ on ESV’s website for further details

notify ESV on 1800 000 922 as soon as reasonably practicable of any serious electrical incidents relating to your work which causes, or has the potential to cause:

the death of or injury to a person

significant damage to property

a serious risk to public safety.

As an A grade electrician, you must not:

carry out, or offer to carry out electrical installation work for profit, gain or reward, unless you hold a current Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) licence

carry out electrical installation work, unless your A grade electrician’s licence is current – it is your responsibility to know your licence expiry date

install any electrical equipment which will be unsafe if connected to an electricity supply

carry out any electrical equipment work that will make either the equipment or the building unsafe if connected to an electricity supply.

As an A grade electrician, you should:

know the expiry date of your licence

maintain knowledge of the following documents (as amended from time to time):

Electricity Safety Act

Electricity Safety (General) Regulations

Electricity Safety (Registration and Licensing) Regulations

AS/NZS 3000: Wiring Rules and all other standards applicable to your work including referenced sections of the Building Code of Australia (BCA)

the Victorian Electricity Distributors Service and Installation Rules

ensure you have current copies of legislation, Australian Standards and Codes of Practice pertaining to electrical installation work

understand your OH&S responsibilities

wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment (PPE).

As an A grade electrician, you should understand:

ESV may direct a person responsible for non-compliant electrical work to rectify that work at no cost to the customer

ESV may take disciplinary action if you fail to comply with the ESA or pursuant regulations including suspension and/or cancellation of your licence, infringement notices and prosecution.

Electrician License and Certification Requirements

As skilled tradesmen that perform highly specialized and potentially dangerous work, electricians are subject to strict licensing requirements that must be met to legally practice their craft. However, the conditions that must be met to advance through the three standard licensing phases are anything but uniform from one jurisdiction to the next

Even though exam requirements and specific training and classroom hour requirements differ from one jurisdiction to the next, the general licensing process for electricians almost always follows these three steps:

Apprenticeship: An electrical apprenticeship involves supervised on-the-job experience that lasts about four years (about 8,000 hours) in addition to several hundred classroom hours spent learning electrical science and theory.

Journeyman License: A journeyman license in achieved after successfully completing the required apprenticeship program and passing the Electrical Journeyman exam.

Master Electrician License: A master electrician license is achieved after working for two years (about 4,000 hours) as a journeyman electrician and passing the Master Electrician Exam.

Electrical Contractor License: The electrical contractor license is an optional business license reserved for master electricians that operate an electrical contracting business, or companies that employ at least one master electrician.

Though this is representative of the process in most jurisdictions, there are a number of exceptions to these rules:

In most states, electricians are licensed by a state licensing body. In other states, electricians are licensed at the local (city, county) level.

The term certification is used in place of licensing in some states.

Some states license apprentices, while others don’t issue an official license until the journeyman level is reached.

Some states do not have a license classification for journeyman or master electricians.

Some states have multiple specialty journeyman, master electrician, and/or electrical contractor licenses, each with a unique set of requirements.

Some states have reciprocal electrician licenses, which facilitate working across state lines

Because of the inconsistencies and variations surrounding electrician licensing in the U.S., it is important to always check with your local licensing authority. To provide you with a quick overview of the licensing requirements in your area

Electrical FAQs

Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) have slightly different effects on the human body, but both are dangerous above a certain voltage. The risk of injury changes according to the frequency of the AC, and it is common for DC to have an AC component (called ripple). Someone with special equipment can measure this, but the effect on a particular person is very difficult to predict as it depends upon a large number of factors. As a consequence you should always avoid contact with high-voltage electrical conductors, regardless of the type of electrical current they are carrying.

No, not if they are careful and follow the simple rules to securely isolate electrical equipment, and check it is dead before they start work. If you received an electric shock but were not injured then you were lucky. Next time a slight change in events may lead to a very different result. No-one is immune to injury from electricity.

You can find out if your electrical equipment is safe by carrying out suitable checks, such as inspection and / or testing. The level of inspection and / or testing should depend upon the risks. A simple visual inspection is likely to be sufficient for equipment used in a clean, dry environment. In addition, equipment that is more likely to become damaged, or is operated in a harsh environment, is likely to require more demanding electrical tests.

Checks should be carried out often enough to ensure there is little chance the equipment will become unsafe between checks. It is good practice to make a decision on how often each piece of equipment should be checked, write this down, make sure checks are carried out accordingly and write down the results. You should change how often you carry out checks, according to the number and severity of faults found.

The best way to find out if specialised equipment is safe is to have it inspected and tested by a person with specific competence on that type of equipment. This may be the original manufacturer or their authorised service and repair agent. A reputable servicing company that deals with that type of equipment should also be competent to check its safety.

Electrician’s Guide to Emergency Lighting

The electricians guide to emergency lighting 3rd edition has been updated to take into account changes to the Code of Practice for the emergency lighting of premises in BS 5266-1:2016

The Code of Practice has undergone extensive changes to keep the document aligned with assocaiated national legislation and national and european standards

The standard responds to the increasing recognition of the application of emergency lighting to assist the safety of occupants who may stay in a building during a mains supply failure

This guide is essential for all designers of emergency lighting systems, electricians, electrical contractors and their managers, general electrical installation designers, and students in further education and professional training

Find An Inspector

When homebuyers choose an Member for their home inspection, they are hiring a professional that is dedicated to serving their client. members know that a home is much more than just a property to the homebuyer; it’s a place to start a new chapter of their life. The inspector’s purpose is to help their clients get a better understanding about their potential homes. No home is perfect, but members will provide the insight homebuyers need to decide if the home is perfect for them.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. On average, a single-family home inspection usually takes 2-4 hours to complete, though this is heavily dependent on the of the size and condition of the home. After the inspection process, the inspector will send the client an inspection report (often within 24-48 hours) that covers their findings, complete with pictures, analysis and recommendations.

What does a home inspection include?

The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing system; electrical system; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; and the foundation, basement and structural components

It is important to note that there may be some exceptions. If certain areas are inaccessible (locked door, tenant’s belongings in the way) or unsafe conditions (severely steep roofs, poor structural integrity) the inspector will explain the situation and note that they were not able to assess that specific area or system.

Why do homebuyers need a home inspection?

Buying a home could be the largest single investment the homebuyer will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, homebuyers should strive to learn as much as they can about the house before they buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. Through the home inspection process, homebuyers will have a better understanding about their prospective house, which will allow them to make decisions with confidence. If a homeowner is planning to sell their home, a home inspection can give them the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition

Choosing the Right Inspector

Finding a Home Inspector

When the homebuyer has found the right home, they will need to get a professional home inspection. It is critical to find a quality home inspector to understand the condition of the property before making this important investment. It can be confusing and hard to know where to start the search for a professional home inspector.

Find An Inspector Search

Find An Inspector search is a great way to find local inspectors who are members. The homebuyer can enter the address of their prospective home to pull a list of local inspectors and review their qualifications and services. There are different filtering options available so homebuyers quickly can find local inspectors that fit their needs.

Real Agents and Other Referrals

If the homebuyer is using a real estate agent, chances are that they have offered referrals of inspectors they have worked with. Many real estate agents and home inspectors build relationships over the years, and it can be an effective and quick way to get leads on potential inspectors. Another referral source homebuyers can utilize is their friends and family who recently have worked with an inspector.

Choosing the Right Inspector

Getting Started

The best place for a homebuyer to start is by reviewing the property listing to familiarize themselves with their prospective home. Having a good understanding of the home and its specific features will create a useful frame of reference. Similarly, the homebuyers should take note of any special inspection needs that they or their families may have. Understanding these factors can make the home inspector research more effective.

Is the inspector licensed?

Depending on where the homebuyer is located, the practice of home inspection may require a license by the state government. View State Regulations section to find out which states require home inspectors to be licensed. The homebuyer should verify that any potential home inspector holds a valid license, if required by their state

Home Inspection Checklist (Step by Step)

One of the most daunting aspects of buying a new home is running through the home inspection checklist to ensure that everything is up to scratch. After all, you don’t want to miss something that will become a potentially expensive problem for you later.

A home buyer inspection list isn’t just there to ensure everything is ready for you to move in, it’s also to alert you to any significant issues that may mean you shouldn’t be buying the property at all. This is particularly pertinent if you are dealing with a potential investment property as the new tenants will be coming to you with any issues.

What to look for in a new home inspection

It is important to remember that professional inspectors will be looking over the home for significant potential problems such as structural issues, damaged fixtures, or anything that may need to be replaced.

It is also a good idea to have a pest inspection to save hassles later. You don’t want to find out you could have prevented a white ant problem after the fact. This is also an excellent chance to be aware of any potential for pest issues that may pop up in the future based on the location of your home and the materials used in its construction.

For properties with a swimming pool, it is vital to have an inspection of the pool fencing, surrounding area, and the pool itself. For safety, you’ll want to make this a regular activity. It is also a good idea to obtain a surveyor’s report which will identify the boundaries of your property, so you understand what exactly is your land and what is not.

The complete guide to home inspections

Home inspections are one of the most important parts of buying or selling a home. The inspection report directly affects whether or not a deal will go through and the home’s price. Negotiations can be tough, and you need to know what to expect.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is an objective exam by a licensed home inspector who examines the condition of the home’s structure and systems. After the inspection, the inspector provides an extensive report that includes summaries, notes, the life of major systems/equipment, and recommended repairs or replacements on red-flagged items.

A standard home inspection takes approximately two to three hours and includes an examination of the following:

Heating system

Central air condition system

Interior plumbing

Electrical systems

Roof

Attic and visible insulation

Floors, walls, and ceilings

Windows and doors

Foundation

Basement and structural components

The goal of the inspection is to provide the home buyer and seller with a clear picture of the condition of the home and identify any current or future problems. This allows the seller to make any necessary repairs before the sale or negotiate the repairs with the buyer.

Typically, a home inspection is ordered after the sales contract is signed, which should include a clause stating the purchase is contingent on the findings of the home inspection. Although you are not required to attend the inspection, it’s highly recommended so you can ask questions along the way

Home Inspection Checklist: What Homebuyers Need To Know

A home inspection is a professional, third-party inspection of a property that you intend to buy. Its goal is to evaluate the home from a structural and safety standpoint, as well as to ensure you’re buying a hazard-free, up-to-code property that’s a good investment of your dollars.

Home inspections aren’t required, but there are few cases where you’d want to forgo one. Use this home inspection checklist to learn more about the process — as well as what to do afterward.

Include A Home Inspection Contingency In Your Contract

Your first step is to make sure there’s a home inspection contingency — also referred to as a “due diligence” contingency — in your sales contract. This gives you a specified time period in which to have a professional inspection performed on the property

Understand How Your Home Inspection Contingency Works

In most cases, the inspection period is anywhere from one to two weeks from the date your sales contract is signed, though it depends on your specific agreement. The contingency period is supposed to give you enough time to:

• Find a good inspector.

• Set up your appointment (and, ideally, attend it).

• Receive your inspection report.

• Get any follow-up or additional inspections (more on that later).

• Decide how you’d like to move forward.

Hire A Good Home Inspector

Hiring a thorough, experienced home inspector is incredibly important. They should be current on all certifications (NACHI, ASHI, etc.) and up to date on all training and educational coursework. They also need a full insurance policy (this protects you if they’re injured on your property) and should have deep experience in the area you’re buying in. This ensures they’re aware of any current problems with soil, pest and even home builders in your region.

How to Pass a Home Inspection When Selling Your Home

When selling your home, there are many processes and procedures. However, one of the most important is the home inspection. The majority of home buyers will hire an inspector before closing on a new house. The inspection results are essential for the negotiating process and for ensuring high value on the home.

The inspection process can be a little worrisome to the seller. The inspector will spend a few days walking around the interior and exterior of the home, looking through documents of repairs, and running tests to make sure your home is in tip-top shape.

The inspection can often bring up unpleasantries that you didn’t know existed, the worst of which could be lead paint or asbestos, which you’re required to remove. It could take months to resolve these issues, slowing down the sale significantly.

The Inspector’s Agenda

According to experts in the industry, most home inspectors use a list of 33 criteria to determine the health and condition of a home. They can be small things, like standing water surrounding the house or proper grading drainage away from the structure. Or, they could be major structural problems like cracks in the foundation or rotten siding.

here are some of the most common things that fail on a home inspector’s list.

Water Damage: Water damage causes mold and mildew, which can be dangerous. They’ll also wear away at the structure of the home, and repairing the damage isn’t cheap.

Defective Plumbing: This may come in the form of leaky or clogged pipes. Both are bad news for your home. The repairs cost thousands, and the buyer won’t be thrilled about a home with potential water damage.

Improper Wiring or Electrical: Many homes, especially older ones, will have wiring and electrical problems that are not up to code. This could be the result of DIY efforts, or the wiring could have been installed before certain fire codes were mandated. Either way, it’s a fire hazard that will need fixed.

Roof and Siding Problems: Water can easily leak into your home through old or damaged rooftops and siding. It’s also a weak spot for pests, causing even more problems. If one or both of these entities needs repaired, the sum could be over $10,000.

Damp Attic Spaces: If there’s a leak or improper ventilation in the attic, it could lead to mold, mildew, and rotting insulation that wears away at the structure of the house.

Inefficient HVAC Systems: This criterion has become more important, as of late, since home buyers prioritize affordable heating and cooling costs. Aside from the efficiency aspect, broken heating and cooling elements can be a safety hazard for homebuyers.

Drug Testing: Some states require that your home be tested for drugs before being sold. The biggest concern is that your house may have once been a meth lab, which can leave behind harmful chemicals and deadly toxins for the residents. This is a fairly new test, so it may not have been done if you bought your house more than 10 years ago, but it will often be required for newer home purchases.

Home Inspections: Not Just for Home Buyers

You’ve probably heard that ordering a home inspection is a critical part of the home buying process, but did you know that inspections can be very useful for existing homeowners too?  A licensed home inspector can provide both buyers and homeowners with an unbiased report of a property’s condition to inform them about health and safety issues and other defects that affect the value of a property. We have identified three stages of homeownership where it is beneficial to order a home inspection.

Before you Buy a Home

This home inspection is a must. It is typically conducted right after the seller has accepted your offer and will help you determine if you want to move forward with purchasing the home.  help you write your offer, and it should include an option to cancel the contract if the inspector discovers something that concerns you.  You may also be able to use the inspection to negotiate the price of the home or any significant repairs with the seller.

Before Your Warranty Expires

If your new or previously-owned home came with a warranty (or if you purchased a warranty after you closed on the home), consider getting a home inspection right before the warranty expires. The inspection will document any builders’ defects or other issues while they are still covered under warranty. Make sure to let the inspector know you are requesting an “end of warranty” inspection because that may affect the price as well as what is inspected.

Before You Sell Your Home

Many real estate professionals now recommend that sellers obtain a home inspection before listing their home for sale.  This gives the seller the opportunity to address any major repairs that could potentially delay or derail the sale of the home. Performing the repairs ahead of time may also be cheaper than trying to negotiate the cost of the repairs into the price of the home or paying the buyer’s contractor to perform the repairs

Crucial Areas a Home Inspector Checklist Doesn’t Cover

Hiring a home inspector is a crucial part of buying or selling a home. An inspector will assess the home for potential problems and identify any issues that may affect the continuation or negotiation of a sale in progress. But it’s also important to understand that inspectors don’t cover all of the bases in a home. In fact, it’s possible that an inspector may miss a significant issue. In many cases, you’ll need to hire a specialist to inspect certain areas, and you should always look closely at everything yourself.

Inspectors don’t check for pests.

Home inspectors are not exterminators — their job is to find potential problems with the structural integrity of the house. So if you think you see a cockroach or another pest during a walkthrough, you’ll need to hire an exterminator to take a closer look. Don’t rely on the checklist or final report to yield that information

Inspectors don’t cover plumbing.

Most home inspectors don’t have the qualifications to look at plumbing and can only call out visible issues like a leak or outdated plumbing. This means they probably won’t look at your:

Wall or undersink plumbing pipes

Swimming pools

Septic tanks

There are exceptions in which an inspector will have the qualifications to look at pools and septic systems, but this varies depending on the inspector and where you live. You shouldn’t rely on your inspector for this in any case. If you see serious cracks or dents in the swimming pool, you should probably hire a swimming pool pro to do an inspection. If you think the septic tank is making weird noises, have someone take a closer look.

Inspectors won’t look at landscaping conditions.

While issues with landscaping should be obvious during a walkthrough — dead spots, potential pests, sprinkler issues, etc. — note that they aren’t on home inspector’s radar. If there’s a dead tree in the yard, you’ll be responsible for taking care of it. It probably won’t affect the final price of the house or your ability to negotiate with the seller.

Appliances aren’t part of the inspection.

Home inspectors check only that the following appliances are working properly:

Washers

Dryers

Dishwashers

Refrigerators

Stoves

Most inspectors will run these appliances through just a cycle or two to make sure they work. So, the built-in microwave could have major problems and you wouldn’t know it. Plus, unless a major leak or smoke appears, the appliance is considered to be correctly functioning. If you think there’s a major problem, you should have an appliance technician perform diagnostics and necessary repairs.

Best Home Inspection Tools (From A Licensed Inspector)

Do you want to know what are the best and most important home inspection tools? Whether you are a new home inspector that wants to know my tools or a homeowner that wants to inspect their own home

What Are My Home Inspection Tools?

My home inspecting tool kit is the most useful gear that I use to inspect homes on a professional basis. These tools greatly simplify my inspections as well as speed up the whole process — helping me avoid costly mistakes. I recommend these essential tools to new inspectors as well as to homeowners who want to inspect their own home for maintenance.

This home inspection equipment spans from the common and all the way to the obscure. You will have used some of these tools throughout your life, but other tools you may never of heard before. I have used these tools from small residential condos, and up to multi-million dollar commercial properties.

If you are interested in becoming a home inspector (or just want to do your own inspection) — this home inspector tool kit is what in my opinion are the essentials. You can do home inspections without them, but at a much lower quality for your client. After doing hundreds of home inspections, these are the tools that made the cut and I can’t work without.

High-Powered Rechargeable Flashlight

This is probably my most important tool on home inspections. With a nice flashlight, you can see many water stains and defects that you otherwise wouldn’t see. In fact, with my flashlight, the two most common things I uncover are water/moisture stains and drywall patches.

BEFORE HIRING YOUR NEXT HOME INSPECTOR

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, you need to make sure it’s a safe and stable place to live. Habitation Investigation LLC will conduct a complete home inspection of your home to provide valuable information about its current condition

CHECK YOUR HOME FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

goes the extra mile by examining many aspects not covered in traditional inspections. You deserve peace of mind about your home, whether you’re about to buy or getting ready to put it on the market

PAIR YOUR TRADITIONAL HOME INSPECTION WITH A SPECIALTY SERVICE

We’ll check everything from your foundation to your fireplace to your gutter system. Every aspect of your home should be up to par-whether you’re moving in or moving out.

Whole house inspection will conduct a thorough inspection of your home, inside and out. As NACHI-certified professional home inspectors, have the knowledge and expertise to provide you with a thorough and professional, non-intrusive, visual inspection of your home, from roof to foundation

How to Choose a Home Inspector

Shopping for a home? Don’t wait until you have an accepted offer to shop for a home inspector. You want to allow time to interview several candidates so that you can be sure to hire an experienced professional.

After all, a home inspection is your one opportunity to get a clear-eyed assessment about the true condition of something that, for many, is the most expensive purchase of a lifetime. Follow our advice for how to find good candidates and what to look for in an inspector.

Beware the Real Estate Agent’s Referral

Your real estate agent might offer to give you some home inspectors’ names. He may be perfectly well-meaning—or not—but the references present a conflict of interest.

A real estate agent wants to close the deal, and that incentive may be at odds with that of the inspector, who gets paid for his report. If the report raises too many issues, or serious ones, it can be used to negotiate a lower price or even scuttle the deal. An inspector who has been referred by your agent may feel obligated to go easy on the inspection.

Identify Qualified and Trusted Candidates

To find a reputable inspector, first ask friends who have recently purchased a home whether they recommend the person they used. You can also find referrals through local online communities such as NextDoor or Patch, where members sometimes post their experiences. A crowdsourced directory such as Yelp, and home services sites such as Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor, may also be helpful.

How to Select a Home Inspector

Choosing a home inspector is part of the home buying process, a decision that can have a significant impact on your satisfaction with your future home. The home inspector is responsible for telling you the things you need to know about the home you are interested in. His or her ability to spot potential issues is vital for you to make an informed purchase, one you will be happy with over the long-term. Knowing how to select a home inspector becomes paramount, especially for first-time buyers

You only need to do a quick search for home inspectors in your area to find numerous options, but as with so many professions, some inspectors are better than others. The following tips will help you find a home inspector that you can be happy with, someone you can trust to provide you with all the relevant facts about the home you want to buy.

Get a reference from your real estate agent.

One of the best resources for picking a home inspector should be your Realtor. Do you know your real estate agent well and trust them? Do you feel they have your best interests at heart and are not more concerned about their pocket book? If you can confidently answer these two questions in the affirmative, then there is no reason not to trust your Realtors advice on who to select as a home inspector.

Look for a company that is bonded and insured

Whether you go with a big company or a single inspector working on his or her own, you want to make sure that whoever examines the home is bonded and insured. Finding out about insurance is one of the most important questions to ask when interviewing a home inspection

Verify that the inspection company only does inspections – not home repairs and renovations.

Hiring someone that just does inspections is an important tip for finding the right home inspector! Home inspection companies that sell other services – such as roofing, plumbing, kitchen and bathroom renovations, etc. – have a conflict of interest. The fact that they sell repair and renovation services means they are more likely to see problems where there aren’t any.

Tips to Find the Best Home Inspector

Before you buy a home, it’s always a good idea to get a professional home inspection. In most cases, you can make your purchase contract contingent on a satisfactory inspection. That means if you don’t like the inspection results, you can cancel the contract, get your deposit back and walk away from the deal. Or you can negotiate with the seller to cut the price or make repairs to problem areas uncovered during the inspection.

Even if the results of the inspection mean you agree to accept the house as-is at the contract price, a good home inspection can give you valuable insights into the property you’re buying and help you plan for future maintenance and repairs.

Choose an inspector who wants you around during the entire inspection. “We recommend bringing the clients there during the inspection every single time from start to finish,” Saltzman says, rather than just showing up for the report at the end. “I don’t think the clients get as much out of the inspection if they do it that way.”

Ask for a sample report. “Any great home inspector should have their home inspection reports displayed on a website,” Saltzman says. See if the reports are clearly written and how they are formatted. Saltzman says a good report should identify the defect, explain why it matters and suggest what should be done to fix it. All good reports also include photos.

Read reviews on Angie’s List, Yelp and Google. You can ask inspectors for references and call past clients. But you should also read online reviews that the inspector doesn’t control to ensure accuracy.

How to Choose a Home Inspection Company

When a house is bought or sold, a home inspection is a necessary procedure that alerts both homeowners and buyers to the condition of the property in question. If you are selling a home, it is important to have an inspection conducted so that you will be aware of any potential issues with the home you are selling. If you are buying a home, you should have a separate inspection conducted to be sure there are no hidden issues, and to negotiate the contract with potential repairs or problems in mind.

Be prepared for the cost. The average fee for a home inspection is between $350-$500, but the information received from an inspector is priceless. It could be the turning point between a sale and a buyer going back to searching for the perfect home

Understand the actual inspection. Home inspectors enter a home and analyze all of the major components that make up a house purchase. Home inspection companies document the safety and overall condition of a home at the time of the inspection. Home inspections usually take about 3 hours for a minimal inspection, and 5 or 6 hours in order to arrive at a thorough, proper assessment. Depending on how old or large a house is, it may take longer or less time to complete.

Know what will be inspected. A home inspector must thoroughly conduct a review of the inner and outer areas of a house

Be prepared for bad news. It is a home inspector’s job to find any existing or potential problems with a house. They can lose their license if they fail to report issues, so although it might feel like they’re purposely giving bad news, be thankful for the information.

Finding the Right Home Inspector

If you are buying a home, an inspection could reveal problems you never would’ve noticed. An inspection can require the seller to fix what needs fixing before you buy the home. You could also find issues that make you decide not to buy. If you’re a seller, an inspection can help you find problems before you put the house on the market, letting you make the repairs without wrangling over the cost with a potential buyer. Learn why you should get an inspection before selling your home.

What to expect on inspection day

On the day of the inspection, the inspector performs an initial site evaluation. Then the inspector takes you on a tour to point out the assets as well as any potential problems. Pay attention, watch, ask questions and learn. A thorough inspection can find problems related to water entry, roof leaks, insect infestation, unsafe wiring, failed septic systems, poor plumbing, wet basements, mold and mildew, and safety hazards.

At the end of the inspection, you receive a written report detailing all the findings. The report should contain photographs and descriptions of any damage or defects found during the inspection as well as details on the location of damage. Pictures help you understand the scope and location of the damage, and visual proof makes it easier to get repair estimates.

Look for an inspector before you shop for a home. If you choose a home first, time is critical and you may feel pressured to pick the first inspector you meet

Do your research and ask lots of questions of prospective inspectors, including their backgrounds, the length of time they’ve been in the business, the number of inspections they’ve performed and what sort of report they’ll provide