What Types of Home Inspection Should I Get?

There are many types of home inspections. A few of them depend on the region you are purchasing your new home. Buyers should always get a general home inspection, radon and depending on the are there are well, septic and other inspection types. You may need to get a roof or engineering inspection as well depending on what the seller’s property disclosure or home inspector says.

Always Get a “General” home inspection

Buyers should always get a general home inspection, radon and other inspection types. You may need to get a roof or engineering inspection as well depending on what the seller’s property disclosure or home inspector says. Radon is one of the top three indoor air pollutants which are classified as carcinogenic and can cause lung cancer, heart disease and premature death. If you don’t know a lot about home inspections, you may not realize that you need one. To find out if your home has a septic system, check the county health department.

What are the basic home inspections a home buyer should get?

•General inspection: This home inspection usually includes the basics like electrical, plumbing, well inspection, radon and foundation inspection. The inspection should include at least three to five rooms. •Structural inspection: This inspection can range from a structural code report to get a structural analysis of your home. This inspection also includes any of the inspections mentioned above. It will be a more thorough structural analysis and will include an inspection of your roof, foundation, attic, deck and basement. •Structural report: This structural inspection can also include things like adding bars to certain areas of the home or “insulated box walls” that will keep heat and cold out.

What is a home safety inspection?

If you are looking to save some money and not have to pay for a home inspection, a safety inspection is also a good option. The cost for this is about the same as what you would pay for a general home inspection and they can be done in a day or two. All you would have to do is go into the home and ask about the alarms and your personal safety. If you are buying a home in the city, you might want to see an engineer or architects. These are expensive but if you are new to the area and want to find a great deal, these inspections are a great way to get a comprehensive list of what is needed and who can do it for you. Why Do You Need a Home Inspection? If you don’t know a lot about home inspections, you may not realize that you need one.

What is a home inspection?

According to the National Association of Realtors, the home inspector should provide an overall assessment of the house, including structural components, mechanical systems, indoor air quality, appliances and heating and cooling.

Some inspectors also inspect the roof and foundation as well as the electrical system. An oil change and furnace inspection also must be performed.

How long should I wait after I have an inspection?

Most sellers are happy to have their house inspected by a reputable home inspector so long as you give them 30 days to get the report back. At that point you can decide if you want to purchase the home or not.

What are radon tests for?

Radiological Analysis of earth and rock, is a laboratory analysis of the quantity of radon gas. To perform radiological tests one has to expose radon detectors to air, and a few days or weeks later take readings to determine the radiation. The purpose of radiological testing is to measure the amount of radon gas in the air at different levels. For example, a homeowner with a radon gas problem would have an inspector measure the radon detector’s readout to determine the radon’s radon level in the air. Then an engineer, working with the homeowner or buyer would determine if the radon gas was a health risk. If it was a hazard, the engineer would suggest a solution. What are septic tests for?

Do I need a Radon test?

A radon test is a test that determines if there is a radon leak in the home. Radon is a radioactive gas that can come from a number of places such as ventilation systems or water. The concentration of radon in your home can be very low, but if the amount is above what is normal it can cause health issues. Radon is one of the top three indoor air pollutants which are classified as carcinogenic and exposure can cause lung cancer, heart disease and even premature death. Is it a good idea to have a septic inspection? It’s important to know how the septic system is working in order to be prepared for a problem should you find one. It can cost thousands of dollars to fix the problem, so it’s always a good idea to know what the system looks like.

What are septic inspections?

Septic inspections are inspections conducted to check for issues with septic systems and the surrounding area. Septic systems are an important part of keeping the health and safety of the residents in your area, especially with problems like sewage backups and flooding. Your septic inspection should be performed by a certified septic inspection contractor. To find out if your home has a septic system or not, check the county health department. In some states, you may need a septic inspection if you plan to bring a new house into the area. What is radon testing? Radon gas, also known as Radon-222, is a poisonous gas that is a natural byproduct of the breakdown of uranium and uranium decay products in the earth. The gas occurs naturally. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless.

What are other types of home inspections?

If you need a private home inspection or a home inspection conducted by a professional, it can be very complicated depending on the area you are living in. There are many types of home inspectors available. If you are looking for a general home inspector, you need to find someone who is a registered Professional Engineers and also an NSPX (National Surveyor Examiners Professional) as well. NSPX is a certification required by the NAPEX (National Association of Professional Examiners) but only in certain states, states that have these professionals. An accredited National Service Commission (NSC) licensed professional is also another option to hire a home inspector. The NSC is a professional association that governs most of the home inspectors in the US.

Conclusion

It is best to have a home inspection for new construction houses, but the very first thing you should do is find a reliable home inspection company. I recommend Angie’s List to find reputable home inspectors and licensed contractors.