Let’s say you go to your family doctor for a check-up. They notice something based on your symptoms or blood work that warrants a closer look and refer you to a specialist who’s best qualified to diagnose and treat the problem. Do you say “Nah, I’m good” and trust that all is well? Hopefully not! The same logic applies to the home inspection process you’ll go through when buying a home. Today 77% of homebuyers request a home inspection as part of their purchase contract. However, a home inspector is a generalist, and sometimes they’ll say things like, “I’d recommend calling in a specialist to check out this sign of wood rot” or “Let’s get a structural engineer in here; I’m a little concerned about that foundation crack.” In addition, there will be issues common to homes in your area (such as radon or pest problems) that you should check for before you buy and a general inspector won’t cover. Considering nearly 70% of buyers expressed at least one regret about their home purchase due to unexpected maintenance or hidden costs, now’s not the time to hem and haw over a couple hundred bucks that an extra inspection will cost. An inspection allows you to escape a contract if there are serious structural, mechanical, or safety defects discovered about the house. You can also negotiate with the seller about fixing serious deficiencies, or reduce your offer to cover you handling the repairs yourself. Robert Greenblatt, a real estate investor turned agent with 16 years of experience, is a top seller in Springdale, New Jersey. He gives the example of testing for high radon levels, which can increase the risk of lung cancer to those exposed: Testing for radon costs about $150 in his area. If testing detects elevated levels, the buyer can ask the seller to foot the bill for mitigation, which averages about $1,000 nationwide and in Greenblatt’s area costs as high as $2,000. “To me, that’s an extra $150 well spent,” Greenblatt says. No kidding! Let’s dive into 15 specialized types of home inspections that help you look under the hood of the house, so to speak, before a property and all of its flaws are yours alone to deal with. Most likely, a home won’t need every inspection on this list. Radon, for instance, is typical in areas with basements, which aren’t common in regions with a lot of swampland. A home’s age also plays a huge role. But it’s best to know all of your options so you don’t leave any stone unturned. Here’s a general overview of the different types of home inspections that cover your home from top to bottom. A chimney inspection assesses whether the chimney and fireplace are venting properly, if the mortar is cracked or deteriorating, and if there’s a heavy buildup of creosote (a byproduct of burning wood), which can combust. This prevents chimney fires and smoke or odors from seeping inside when you go to light the fireplace on a chilly day. Costs:$360 to $400 on average nationwide Who to hire:
A CSIA (Certified Chimney Sweep) technician When to get it:
You’ll need to inspect the chimney before you use the fireplace anyway. If a house has a chimney, inspect it so that you don’t have to worry about unwanted guests (birds or bats) nestled up there, the risk of starting a fire, or extremely dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning. Unless the sellers of the home have paperwork to show they’ve inspected the chimney recently, go ahead and get this inspection before closing if time allows. Preventive roof maintenance can save homeowners thousands of dollars on average each year throughout a roof’s lifespan. A roofing contractor can examine a roof and ceilings for signs of leaks or damage, flag trouble spots such as mold growth that might mean rotting wood underneath, and even use a handheld infrared scanner or drone inspection to look for spots where heat is escaping. Costs:
About $235 on average nationwide Who to hire:
Ask your agent for a referral; be sure to double-check for the roofer’s license and insurance When to get it:
If a house has a roof that’s 20-25 years old; shows visible signs of damage such as loose shingles, cracks in the structures, or algae growth; or your real estate agent or inspector expresses concerns over the roof’s lifespan, then consider a roof inspection. Consider asking for a roof certification, a document from a roofing professional that identifies the need for any roof repairs and provides an estimate of the roof’s lifespan. Roof certifications are typically valid for 2 to 5 years after inspection.Spend now to save later
Beyond the general home inspection
1. Chimney inspection
2. Roof inspection
