Your typical Residential Home Inspection consists of a Structural and a Mechanical Inspection.
The Structural part of the home inspection will cover the following areas of the home:
- Foundation (Interior & Exterior Structural)
- Roof Covering
- Roof Framing & Bracing
- Cross Ventilation
- Site Conditions
- Porches
The Mechanical part of the home inspection will cover the following areas of the home:
- A/C & Heating Systems
Air Conditioning System Cooling properly (Temperature Differentials)
Inspect visible supply lines
Safety Disconnects
Furnace Installation (Safety, Disconnects, Etc.)
Cross Contamination (Carbon Monoxide Testing)
Venting
Gas leak connections
- Plumbing Systems
System Drainage at Fixtures
Plumbing Leaks & Drips
Gas Leaks at Connections
Gas Leaks at Meter
- Water Heater
Proper Installation
Vent Pipe Installation
Test Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve
Check Recognized Hazards
- Electrical Systems
Operation of Fixtures
Proper Wire / Breaker Installation and Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI)
Check for Aluminum Wiring
Reverse Polarity & Open Grounds
Grounding of Vent hood, Stove, Ceiling Fans, & Applicable Appliances
Bonding of Neutral Bar
Conduit Installations
Appliance Operation (Ovens, Disposal, Dishwasher) NOT v (Washer, Dryer, Refrigerator)
The purpose of the Home Inspection is to give the buyer a thorough picture of the condition of the property at the time of the purchase. Often this offers the buyer the opportunity to further negotiate the price or have major repairs completed by the seller before the purchase of the property.
It is important to have the Home Inspected if you are buying a used (resale) home or even if you are buying a new home. Knowing about a problem and having it corrected before you purchase can save a lot of money.
Specialty Home Inspections has licensed home inspectors that have also been trained as Residential Code Inspectors and are familiar with the Code Certifications that are involved in the building of a new home. Many builders and buyers alike are unaware that there is now a National Code Standard that all builders are required to follow. It does not matter if they are building within the City or far out in the County, everybody has to follow the most current National Code. Therefore, supervisors or inspectors who work for the builders or even those who work for the city overlook many code items. After all your house is only one among many that they have to review in a day.
Always remember the inspector who will be working for you (on your behalf alone) is the one you will be paying for at the time of the inspection.