"It doesn´t need inspecting because ? "

By

Larry Park

Home Inspection Professionals, Inc.

www.homeinspectionpro.com

   You have read every article, or at least scanned the headline, trying to explain WHY you should have a house inspected.  That is not the purpose of this article.  Almost everyone will agree a house, like any other investment, should be inspected. 

The question is:  By Whom?

Let´s take on the three reasons listed above:

1. "It´s a new house."

The work load for most city/count/state building officials is intense.  In some counties in the Atlanta area for example, the new home construction inspectors may have as many as twenty homes to visit per day!  Not including drive time! 

A private, third-party CODE CERTIFIED inspector will be at a new house performing either the pre-drywall or final inspection for approximately three to four hours.  Their report will generally include detailed photos of key issues as well as documentation of the high quality of the construction methods and materials used to build the house.  This documentation can become a very beneficial marketing tool when the house is sold.

2.      "My (relative) is/was a builder"

While there are many extremely capable and competent individuals that can examine a structure and point out superlatives as well as defects, they don´t generally come armed with the necessary tools that can convey their findings to you or anyone that may be asked to perform repairs.

A professional home inspector today will usually have a computer generated report, uploaded to the Internet.  Many inspectors will or can print their report on-site.  Their reports will or can include digital photos of any issues discovered during the inspection. 

The written report also satisfies the Georgia Association of Realtors contract that states:

"Buyer shall have the right to request that Seller repair and/or replace Defects, if any, in Property identified by Buyer´s Inspector(s) IN A WRITTEN REPORT(S)."

3.      "The Sellers are providing a warranty"

Home warranties generally cover various aspects or components within a dwelling AFTER the effective date of the warranty.  Without a professional, third-party, written inspection report, there is no proof that any defect WAS NOT pre-existing.

A professional home inspection can help to not only discover unknown or potential defects, but to document that fact that various components were actually tested and were performing their intended function at the time of the inspection.  Then, in the event the dishwasher, for example, were to fail after you have taken possession, you would have supporting documentation from an unbiased third-party to support your claim with your warranty provider.

4.      Investment

This issue is never raised.  Cost or expense is. 

            An appraisal is mandated by the mortgage company.  You are required to pay for many aspects of real estate financing such as title insurance, filing fees, and an appraisal.  These services are performed for the benefit of the lender but you have to pay for it!

            Inspections are not required but can be of the largest and most immediate benefit to you!  Regarding an inspection the same as an appraisal is a mistake commonly made.

            Consider:  A professional home inspection fee is $400.  The inspection requires 4 hours to complete.  At the end of the inspection process it is determined a new roof is needed.  After subsequent negotiations between all parties, the cost of a new roof is agreed to by the sellers or the sellers have a new roof installed.  The new roof has an average replacement cost of $7,000.00!!!  The investment of $400 in the inspection netted you a new roof with a value of $7,000!!  Where in this world can you possibly make that return on investment in such a short period of time?

            Or, the inspection documents the fact the house is in "excellent condition" and hardly any repairs are needed.  The peace of mind of knowing you have purchased such a home and having a report in hand that states the fact is almost priceless.  Plus, such a report can be used as a marketing tool when you sell the home.

It´s not so much the question as to "why you should have a home inspected" as much as it "who should I have inspect it?" 

The state of Georgia has yet to adopt any licensing laws for home inspectors.  There are   several credentials that speak to the professionalism of a home inspector:

 

1.      ICC IRC (CABO) CODE CERTIFIED   ICC:  International Code Council IRC:  International Residential Code CABO:  Council of American Building Officials               (Now part of the ICC) CODE CERTIFIED:  Successfully passed the rigorous tests required for certification in the codes published for the construction of One and Two-Family Dwellings.   Anyone performing an inspection on a NEW house should have this credential.   2.      GAHI   GAHI:  Georgia Association of Home Inspectors   The only organization in the U.S. that requires code certification as criteria for full membership.   3.      ASHI   ASHI:  American Society of Home Inspectors   ASHI requires full members to pass the National Home Inspection Exam   Both GAHI and ASHI require members to complete at least 250 fee paid inspection on their own and pass their Standards of Practice and Ethics exams.   Both organizations also require members to obtain at least 20 to 25 Continuing Education credits EACH YEAR!              4.      EDI STUCCO CERTIFIED   EDI:  Exterior Design Institute   This organization created and updates the materials and installation specifications for exterior stucco wall claddings.  Including EIFS (Exterior Insulated Finishing System: aka synthetic stucco)

There are other worthy inspection organizations operating in the U.S..  The ones listed above are the most notable in the Atlanta area.

Finally, a professional home inspector is someone that should be regarded as a "generalist".  A good, if not great, home inspector is educated, experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of home construction and maintenance. 

An electrical engineer would certainly know about matters relating to electrical components, but may not have a full understanding of residential framing or foundations for example.

Or, a master plumber would certainly know every aspect of residential plumbing but may not be totally familiar with the heating and air conditioning systems.

A professional home inspector should possess fundamental working knowledge in every area of a house.

Before reading this article you knew you should have your home inspected.  Now, hopefully, you have a better understanding of who should perform it for you.

We are always here to help you with your inspection questions or requirements.

Ref:  www.gahi.com

         www.ashi.org