What Does a Home Inspection Include?
The Home Inspection is the most important part of buying a home. After you receive your home inspector license/training, it is your responsibility as a home inspector to evaluate generally whether the property seems safe and if it is in good operating condition. With our training you will learn in depth what home inspectors are expected to do and what to watch out for during an inspection. There are basically seven areas covered in a home inspection.
1. Exterior Inspection, Including the Grounds
This is where you check pretty much everything around the outside of the home. It includes evaluating the grounds, the roof and chimney integrity, and other outside items such as sheds, decks, and fences. It also includes determining if water from rain or sprinklers flows away from the house. You will be checking the condition of the roof shingles for signs of significant wear and tear.
2. Foundation Inspection
As a home inspector, you will evaluate the foundation, to the extent that it is accessible, to identify items such as larger than normal cracks, and settlement. Home inspectors enter crawlspaces and attics on a regular basis if they are accessible. However, a home inspector is not required to enter anyplace that is deemed dangerous.
3. Structural Inspection
Structural items include supports that are built above the foundation. These include walls, floors, roof decks, etc.
4. Plumbing Inspection
The home's plumbing is an important part of the home inspection. This part of the inspection includes evaluating the supply and drainage lines in the home, as well as determining if the fixtures, such as toilets, tubs, sinks and showers are operating properly.
5. Electrical inspection
Home Inspectors look at the condition of the home's electrical system. Here you will be checking electrical outlets, switches, light fixtures, the grounding and the panel box.
6. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) Inspection
Home inspectors check to see if the HVAC systems are functional. You will be evaluating the way the heating and cooling are distributed throughout the house. You will also be checking thermostats as well as the main units used for heating or cooling. You will also check to see that exhaust systems are venting properly.
7. Interior inspection
When inspecting the inside of the home, you are looking for signs of unusual wear and tear. This includes things like cracks in the ceilings and walls, water stains, and other general items that could indicate problems.
1. Exterior Inspection, Including the Grounds
This is where you check pretty much everything around the outside of the home. It includes evaluating the grounds, the roof and chimney integrity, and other outside items such as sheds, decks, and fences. It also includes determining if water from rain or sprinklers flows away from the house. You will be checking the condition of the roof shingles for signs of significant wear and tear.
2. Foundation Inspection
As a home inspector, you will evaluate the foundation, to the extent that it is accessible, to identify items such as larger than normal cracks, and settlement. Home inspectors enter crawlspaces and attics on a regular basis if they are accessible. However, a home inspector is not required to enter anyplace that is deemed dangerous.
3. Structural Inspection
Structural items include supports that are built above the foundation. These include walls, floors, roof decks, etc.
4. Plumbing Inspection
The home's plumbing is an important part of the home inspection. This part of the inspection includes evaluating the supply and drainage lines in the home, as well as determining if the fixtures, such as toilets, tubs, sinks and showers are operating properly.
5. Electrical inspection
Home Inspectors look at the condition of the home's electrical system. Here you will be checking electrical outlets, switches, light fixtures, the grounding and the panel box.
6. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) Inspection
Home inspectors check to see if the HVAC systems are functional. You will be evaluating the way the heating and cooling are distributed throughout the house. You will also be checking thermostats as well as the main units used for heating or cooling. You will also check to see that exhaust systems are venting properly.
7. Interior inspection
When inspecting the inside of the home, you are looking for signs of unusual wear and tear. This includes things like cracks in the ceilings and walls, water stains, and other general items that could indicate problems.
Identifying Defects
As a home inspector your job is to see and identify the defects in the home. ABSBI training is very visually oriented to help you avoid walking right past something you should notice during the home inspection. You will have access to checklists that have been developed over decades. Our training shows you what you need to be looking for, where to look for it, and how to report it to create credibility for your service which leads to repeat business.
Does a Home Inspector Perform a Code Inspection?
Home inspectors typically never conduct “code” inspections and typically never allude to conducting such an inspection. However, besides evaluating existing homes, some home inspectors are called upon to conduct a “quality of workmanship” inspection on brand new homes. You might want to consider expanding into this separate, but sometimes more rewarding market. Just be sure to get some good quality, new construction training before you begin conducting these inspections. Click here to learn more about New Construction Inspection training.