| Q: What is a home inspection?
A:
It is an evaluation of the visible and accessible systems and components of a home (plumbing systems, roof, etc.) and is intended to give the client (usually a homebuyer) a better understanding of their condition. It is also important to know what a home inspection is not! It is not an appraisal of the property's value; nor should you expect to address the cost of repairs. It does not guarantee that the home complies with local building codes (which are subject to periodic change) or protect you in the event an item inspected fails in the future. [Note: Warranties can be purchased to cover many items.] Nor should it be considered a "technically exhaustive" evaluation, but rather an evaluation of the property on the day it is inspected, taking into consideration normal wear and tear.
Q:
Can anyone perform a home
inspection?
A:
No. Only persons licensed by the North Carolina Home Inspections Licensure Board are permitted to perform home inspections for compensation. To qualify for licensure, they must satisfy certain education and experience requirements and pass a state examination. Their inspections must be conducted in accordance with the Board's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
Q:
How do I request a home
inspection, and who will pay for it?
A:
You can arrange for the home inspection or ask your real estate agent to assist you. Unless you otherwise agree, you will be responsible for payment of the home inspection and any subsequent inspections. If the inspection is to be performed after you have signed the purchase contract, be sure to schedule the inspection as soon as possible to allow adequate time for any repairs to be performed.
Q:
What should I do if I feel
something has been missed on the inspection?
A:
Before any repairs are made (except emergency repairs), call the inspector or inspection company to discuss the problem. Many times a "trip charge" can be saved by explaining the problem to the inspector who can answer the question over the telephone. This also gives the inspector a chance to promptly handle any problems that may have been overlooked in the inspection.
Q:
If, following the home inspection, the seller repairs an item found in the home inspection, may I have
the Home Inspector perform a "re-inspection:?
A:
Yes. Some repairs may not be as straightforward as they might seem. The inspector may be able to help you evaluate the repair, but you should be aware that the re-inspection is not a warranty of the repairs that have been made. Some Home Inspectors charge a fee for re-inspections.
Q:
Why should I have a home inspection?
A:
Most homebuyers lack the knowledge, skill and emotional detachment needed to inspect homes themselves. By using the services of a licensed Home Inspector, they can gain a better understanding of the condition of the property, especially whether any items do not "function as intended" or "adversely affect the habitability of the dwelling" or "warrant further investigation" by a person who specializes in the item in question.
Q:
In my home purchase I have chosen to sign the standard Offer to Purchase and Contract* form which many real estate and legal professionals use. It states that I have the right to have a home inspection and the right to request that the seller repair identified problems with the home. Will home inspections identify all of these problems?
A:
Yes and No. Home Inspectors typically evaluate structural components (floors, walls, roofs, chimneys, foundations, etc.), mechanical systems (plumbing, electrical, heating/air conditioning, installed appliances and other major components of the property. The Home Inspector Licensure Board's Standards of Practice do
not require Home Inspectors to report on: wood-destroying
insects, environmental contamination, pools, and spas, detached
structures and certain other items listed in the offer to
purchase and contract form. Always as the Home Inspector if
he covers all things which are important to you. If not, it is
your responsibility to arrange for the inspection of these items
by the appropriate professionals. For a description of the
services to be provided by the Home Inspector (and their cost), you
should read carefully the written contract which the Home
Inspector must give you and which you must sign before the Home
Inspection can be performed.
Q:
Should I be present when the home inspection is performed?
A:
Whenever possible, you should be present. The inspector can review with you the results of the inspection and point out any problems found. Usually the inspection of the home can be completed in two to three hours (the time can vary depending upon the size and age of the dwelling). The Home Inspector must give you a written report of the home inspection within three business days after the inspection is performed (unless otherwise stated in your contract with the Home Inspector). The home inspection report is your property. The Home Inspector may only give it to you and may not share it with other persons without your permission.
Q:
Are all inspection reports the same?
A:
No. While the Home Inspector Licensure Board has established a minimum requirement for report-writing, reports can vary greatly. They can range for a "checklist" of the systems and components to a full narrative evaluation or any combination of the two. Home Inspectors are required to give you a written "Summary" of their inspection identifying any system or component that does not function as intended, or adversely affects the habitability of the dwelling, or appears
to warrant further investigation by a specialist. The summary
does not necessarily include all items that have been found to
be defective or deficient. Therefore, do not read only
the summary. Carefully read and understand the entire home
inspection report. |
