Now that you’re about to write the check for the down payment on your dream home, you may be asking yourself, “Can I perform a home inspection myself?” It’s tempting. You’ll be writing a big check, and you’re thinking about all of the things you’ll need to purchase when you move in. But is it the smart choice to make? Let’s take a look.
Finding Hidden Problems
People who have tried to do their own home inspection and regret it will tell you that the best way to discover any problems is to hire an expert. You’ll need a certified professional that has already performed hundreds of inspections and knows how to find the hidden issues that can plague you after you’ve signed on the dotted line. They include:
Structural: A home inspector can tell you about the foundation and wood structural components: was it built on a slab or raised foundation? Are the trusses standing the test of time? In some cases, these issues can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Electrical: Sure, you can flick switches to make sure they work. But you need an expert to review the wiring, grounding, circuit breakers, electric panel, exhaust and ceiling fans, and receptacles.
Roof and Attic: A home inspector can determine the shingles’ condition and roofing material, chimney, and check for hail damage; potentially saving you a bundle. In the attic, you may have areas missing insulation completely, or you could have mold on the underside of the roof sheathing – these are just a couple examples of what’s often found on inspections and only an experienced inspector can really find all of these types of deficiencies.
Pests: It can be difficult to spot signs of pests, especially if they’re in a crawl space. You definitely want an expert to check this.
Paint: Lead-based paint has been banned since 1978, but not all homes are in compliance, especially older homes. If you have young children, this is especially important to check out.
Plumbing: You can check out if all of the showers, faucets, sinks, and toilets are functional, but you’ll want a home inspector to advise you on the condition of the pipes themselves.
HVAC and Other Components: A home inspector can assess if there are any cracks or other issues with ductwork, a chimney, fireplace, or furnace.
Gas and Asbestos: An expert should check for dangerous gases like radon and whether or not the building material contains asbestos.
Vegetation: You can determine if the sprinklers work and the grass appears to be healthy, but an inspector is accustomed to performing inspections and instantly finds deficiencies such as trees being too close to the house to where the roots are interfering with the foundation, or maybe vines are growing into the exterior finishings of the home.
These are some of the many reasons a professional home inspector should conduct the inspection on your soon-to-be home. The last thing you want is to be faced with massive outlays of money on roof repairs/replacement, extensive electrical work involving tearing walls apart, or having to purchase a new HVAC system.
Hopefully, the question “Can I perform a home inspection myself?” has been answered for you. Lucent Property Inspections will provide you with trustworthy, comprehensive, and affordable home inspections in Peoria, Bloomington, and beyond. Contact us today to discuss your home inspection needs.