What Do Home Inspectors Do? A Complete Guide for Homeowners, Homebuyers, and Sellers
Whether you’re in the process of renewing your home insurance, buying your first home, or selling a long-time property, hiring a professional home inspector is a critical step. But what exactly do home inspectors do, and why does their work matter so much?
What Is a Home Inspector?
A home inspector is a trained professional who assesses the condition of a home’s structure, systems, and components. They perform a thorough house inspection to identify existing or potential issues, giving you a clear picture of your home’s health.
Our certified home inspectors all hold a home inspection license, and many inspectors also opt to pursue further licensing such as drone, mold, specialized HVAC, pool, and pest control.
What Happens During a House Inspection?
Our certified home inspectors conduct a visual inspection of major systems relevant to the type of home inspection. Many homeowners opt to bundle inspections to save time and money. The most common combination is four point inspection and wind mitigation inspection. Here is an overview of what our home inspectors look for:
Roof Certification Inspection
- Covering material
- Roof age and remaining useful life
- Date of last roof permit and date of last update
- Overall condition and visible signs of damage or deterioration
Wind Mitigation Inspection
- Building code
- Roof covering
- Roof deck attachment
- Roof to wall attachment
- Roof geometry
- Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)
- Opening Protection
Four Point Inspection
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Roof
Full Home Inspection
- Inspection details (year built, stories, type of building, etc.)
- Exterior
- Roof
- Foundation, crawlspace, and structure
- Garages and carports
- Heating and cooling
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Applicances
- Interior
- Attic, insulation, and ventilation
For a comprehensive view of a home inspection checklist, check out this blog: Home Inspection Checklist: What Is Looked for in a Home Inspection?
Why Hire a Certified Home Inspector?
A home inspector with certification ensures the work meets industry standards. Look for inspectors certified by reputable associations like The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors – InterNACHI®.
My Safe Home Inspection is a Wind Certification Entity (WCE), which means not only do our inspectors hold a home inspection license, but they also undergo a rigorous state background check.
When Should You Schedule a Home Inspection?
The best time to schedule a home inspection is during your home purchase due diligence period, but inspections are also beneficial for sellers, or even routine home maintenance. The most common reason that homeowners get a home inspection is when they are renewing their home insurance policy. Insurance agents need to know about the condition of your home before they can offer you an insurance policy. A home inspection can even save you money on your home insurance when you get a wind mitigation inspection.
Final Thoughts
Working with a certified, experienced home inspector ensures superior quality assurance, helping you make confident insurance and real estate decisions.
Need a trusted home inspector? Schedule your home inspection with My Safe Home Inspection today!