- What
is a home inspection?
- What
does a home inspection include?
- What
will it cost?
- Can
I do a home inspection myself?
- Are
home inspectors required to be licensed?
- What
if the inspection reveals problems with my house?
- Can
a house fail inspection?
- Should
I be present at the home inspection?
- Is
a contract required for a home inspection?
- When
should I call a home inspector?
Q: What
is a home inspection?
A: A home
inspection is an objective, visual examination of a home’s
structure, systems and mechanical systems. Think of it like
having a personal physical check-up that includes blood pressure,
reflexes, temperature, etc., only on the home. (see below)
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Q: What
does an inspection include?
A: The home
inspector is required to observe readily visible and accessible
installed systems which include: structural components, exterior,
roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, central air conditioning,
interiors, built-in kitchen appliances, insulation and ventilation.
The home inspector shall operate the mechanical systems using
normal operating controls except when conditions or other circumstances
may cause equipment damage. The minimum standards for home inspections
in North Carolina are established by the NC Licensed Home Inspector
Board and can be reviewed at www.nclhia.com.
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Q: What
will it cost?
A: Inspection
fees vary depending upon the size of the house, its age, location
and the home inspector service. Typical fees can start as low
as $200 for small condominiums and can cost in excess of $400
for larger and/or older homes. Inspection fees are not regulated
and it is a good idea to check local prices on your own. Remember
the inspector's experience and qualifications, the depth of
the inspection and the type of report should be considered when
pricing an inspection and selecting an inspector.
The price list for Professional Inspections, Inc. is available
here.
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Q: Can
I do a home inspection myself?
A: Of course
you can inspect the home yourself. However, most homeowners
lack the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector.
Professional home inspectors are familiar with the many elements
of home construction, their proper installation and maintenance
and will document their findings to you in writing.
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Q: Are
home inspectors required to be licensed?
A: Yes, in
North Carolina, all home inspections performed for a fee are
required to be done by a NC Licensed Home Inspector. The regulatory
body governing home inspectors in North Carolina is the NC Home
Inspector Licensure Board. Their home page is www.nchilb.com.
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Q: What
if the inspection reveals problems with the house?
A: No house
is perfect. Just because the house may have some problems doesn’t
mean it isn’t a good investment. The inspection will help
you understand the condition of the house. It is up to you and
your contract with the seller to determine which problems you
can live with, if you may be able to get repairs done before
closing, or to negotiate with the seller on the price of the
home.
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Q: Can
a house fail inspection?
A: No, a
house can not fail since the inspection is an objective, visual
examination of a home’s structure, systems and mechanical
systems. A home inspection is not a municipal inspection, which
verifies local building code compliance. A home inspection in
this context can not pass or fail, it is simply reporting the
condition of the home from a visual examination of the structure
and systems at that point in time.
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Q: Should
I be present at the home inspection?
A: It isn’t
required for you to be present at the inspection; however, being
at the inspection will help you learn about your new home. The
inspector can give you tips on maintenance and upkeep. Plus
it’s a good time for you to ask questions.
At Professional Inspections, Inc. we encourage our clients to
be present at the inspection. Some problems may be difficult
to describe in writing. If the client is present at the inspection,
they can leave the inspection confident that they have a clear
understanding of each problem found. If the client is unable
to attend the inspection, we are more than happy to discuss
the report over the telephone if any questions arise.
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Q: Is
a contract required for a home inspection?
A: Yes, all
licensed home inspectors in North Carolina are required to provide
a written contract that shall describe the services performed,
standards of practice, limitations and the cost or the services.
This contract is required to be signed before the home inspection
is performed.
A copy of our contract is available here.
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Q: When
should I call a home inspector?
A: Normally
, it’s a good idea to call in an inspector after you have
made an offer to purchase the property and before closing. Many
“offer to purchase” contracts include an “inspection
clause” in the contract, making your purchase contingent
upon the findings of a professional home inspection. This inspection
clause often specifies the timeframe when the inspection must
be completed.
If, on the other hand, you are in the process of selling your
home, it is also quite common to get a "pre-market"
inspection. This is exactly the same a a normal home inspection,
but it allows you, the home owner, to be aware of any problems
with your home before you put it on the market, preventing
any surprises if your protential buyers request a home inspection
later on.
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*The information on this page
was provided by the
North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector Association.
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