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Q. What is a “Home Inspection”?
A home inspection is an objective visual examination of
the physical structure and systems of a home, from the
roof to the foundation. Having a home inspected is like
giving it a physical check-up. If problems or symptoms are
found, the home inspector may recommend further
evaluation. Home inspectors do not perform any destructive
testing. Consumers should not expect their reports to
include the condition of every nail, wire or pipe in the
home. Although our inspectors are thorough, we are
primarily concerned with pointing out major concerns
and/or safety related items rather than cosmetic items,
which are considered readily apparent to the consumer
themselves.
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Q. Why do I need a home inspection?
The purchase of a home is probably the largest single
investment you will ever make. You should learn as much as
you can about the condition of the property and the need
for any major repairs before you buy, so that you can
minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties afterwards.
Of course a home inspection also points out the positive
aspects of a home, well as the maintenance necessary to
keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have
a much clearer understanding of the house you are about to
purchase. If you are already a homeowner, a home
inspection may be used to identify problems in the making
and to learn preventive measures, which might avoid costly
future repairs. If you are planning to sell your home, you
may wish to have an inspection prior to placing you home
on the market. This will give you a better understanding
of conditions which may be discovered by the buyer's
inspector, and an opportunity to make repairs that will
put the house in better selling condition.
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Q. Can I do it myself?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge
and expertise of a professional home inspector who has
inspected hundreds, perhaps thousands, of homes in his or
her career. An inspector is familiar with the many
elements of home construction, their proper installation,
and maintenance. He or she understands how the home's
systems and components are intended to function together,
as well as how and why they fail.
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Q. When do I call in the Home Inspector?
A home inspector is typically contacted right after the
contract or purchase agreement has been signed, and is
often available within a few days. However, before you
sign, be sure that there is an inspection clause in the
sales contract, making your final purchase obligation
contingent upon the findings of a professional home
inspection. The clause should specify the terms to which
both the buyer and seller are obligated.
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Q. Can a house fail inspection?
NO. A professional home inspection is an examination of
the current condition of your prospective home. It is not
an appraisal, which determines market value, or a
municipal inspection, which verifies local code
compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or
fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition
and indicate what may need major repair or replacement.
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Q. What if the report reveals problems?
No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems,
it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy the house,
only that you will know in advance what to expect. A
seller may adjust the purchase price or make repairs if
major problems are found. If your budget is tight, or if
you don't wish to become involved in future repair work,
this information will be very important to you.
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Q. If the house proves to be in good
condition, did I really need an inspection?
Definitely! Now you can complete your home purchase with
your eyes open as to the condition of the property and all
its equipment and systems. You will also have learned many
things about your new home from the inspector's written
report, and will want to keep that information for further
reference.
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Q. How long does a home inspection take?
A home inspection typically takes between 2 to 3 hours. We
suggest that you leave small children with a sitter if
possible as you will want to follow the inspector closely
as he inspects your new home and explains his findings.
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Q. Do I have to attend the inspection?
It is not necessary for you to be present for the
inspection, but is recommended. You will be able to
observe the inspector and ask questions directly, as you
learn about the condition of the home, how its systems
work, and how to maintain it. You will also find the
written report easier to understand if you have seen the
property first-hand through the inspector's eyes.
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Q. Do new homes need an inspection?
Definitely! Many homebuyers are led to believe that the
county or municipality inspection and the final
walk-through with the builder's representative is an
adequate way to inspect a home. Most county or
municipality inspectors spend no more than 30 minutes at a
home site. The builder's final walk-through inspection is
very unlikely to disclose any problems with the home they
built as some repairs can prove to be expensive. A
certified ASHI home inspector will spend 2-3 hours during
a typical inspection and could save thousands of dollars
in repairs later on. Homeowners will have to correct
defects that were present at the time of construction when
they sell their homes in the future. We also offer a
One-Year Inspection to assist the homeowner in negotiating
builder warranty issues.
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Q. How do I pay for my inspection?
We accept cash, check, or credit card (MasterCard, Visa,
Discover or American Express) at the time of the
inspection. If you can not attend the inspection, you will
need to give us a credit card number over the phone.
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Q. What if I have questions after the
inspection takes place?
We encourage you to ask all the questions you want at the
inspection. However, should you have additional questions
or concerns after the inspection, please feel free to call
or email our office. Some of our clients call our office
with specific and general questions well after the
inspection takes place. The inspector is also available
for a complete phone consultation to go over your report
in detail if you are unable to attend the inspection. We
believe client support during the inspection and beyond is
one of the many reasons that our company is so successful.
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Q. What if I need the inspector to come
back and inspect repairs that have been made?
We offer a re-inspection after each inspection that is
performed. The inspector will have a copy of the original
report and will verify that all requested repairs have
been made properly. We will also issue another report
based on our findings of the re-inspection. However, there
is an additional charge for this inspection. Please call
our office with enough advanced notice (usually 3-4 days)
to schedule a re-inspection.
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Q. Why should I choose America's Home
Inspections?
America's Home Inspections is committed to providing our
clients with the highest level of service possible. We
pride ourselves as one of the better inspection companies
in the greater Columbus metropolitan area with over 15
years of industry experience, competitive pricing and
outstanding service throughout the inspection process.
When you call America's Home Inspections, you'll always
talk to a "live" person that is employed by our company
who can assist you with any questions. You will not get
lost in some complex voice mail system or answering
service. Not only do we have experience in performing home
inspections, our inspectors help homeowners with analysis
and solutions of specific problems, such as wet basements,
energy conservation and cracked foundations. So be sure
and call our office to schedule your next home inspection.
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