Things a home inspector may not check
Employing the services of a competent home inspector is always a very good idea when you are contemplating purchasing the home you feel fits all of your needs. These specialists are adept at uncovering major and minor issues that you need to be aware of – in case the current homeowner does not feel compelled to be completely honest and disclose all of the property’s deficiencies.
However, as is always the case, even the most competent and qualified home inspector will not extend him or herself beyond their certified and credentialed level of expertise. Therefore, as a knowledgeable buyer, be cognizant of the limitations of the individual you select to inspect your (hopefully) future residence. This is especially true when you remember the importance of inspecting everything.
The following is a short list of specialized components of a property that are best inspected by specific / type experts.
Roofs
If the generalist home inspector is not trained to inspect roofs, then it is certainly in your best interest to contract the services of a certified roof professional to give you an unbiased assessment of the condition of the selected property’s roof. After all, replacing a faulty roof that was not disclosed during the sales transaction will set you back a minimum of several thousand dollars in the best of situations.
Chimneys
At the very minimum, hire a certified chimney sweep if your generalist does not possess the expertise to extend his or her inspection report to the chimney and all of its internal components. In the case of a chimney, the relative minor expense of hiring a chimney sweep could prevent the most catastrophic of ownership events to occur – a fire in the wall and/or extension into the attic.
Sewer lines
Whether the property has many trees in the front yard or not, it is an additional good idea to hire an expert in sewer line leak detection and/or general condition. This specific professional will be able to use the latest technological advances to check for line integrity and any associated problems which could lead to extensive outlays of cash in the future. Obviously, tree roots can cause pronounced sewer line blockages and breaks. Therefore, again, it is your best interest to pay the “insurance” money upfront to vastly increase the probability of less problems in the future – after the transaction has been completed.
Termites and other critters
Though it is customary – and usually required – that a pest inspection take place prior to ownership change, do not assume the seller will make the suggested / required repairs. Without sounding paranoid, unscrupulous sellers may try to take advantage of an unsuspecting buyer and only complete obvious repairs. Any smaller / suggested repairs may be “innocently overlooked.” To avoid any future issues, make sure to review the pest inspector’s report very thoroughly, making sure all report findings have been accomplished / repaired prior to taking ownership.
Mold and/or moisture
If the house you are looking at has a subfloor construction style, it is especially important to make sure there are no mold and/or moisture issues underneath the floor, especially below occupied spaces. The best home inspector will go underneath the house as part of a thorough review. Those cutting corners – or lacking specialized skill – will not offer to assess any under-house structures. Ultimately, it is certainly in your best interest to have an assurance – from an expert – that all is in fact well underneath the home.