HOW TO HAVE A HOME INSPECTION ON A BUDGET

Buying a new house can be one of the happiest moments of your life as it promises new beginnings, a better location, new friends, and several other opportunities. However, before you invest in a house, you need to verify whether it is free of defects and potential safety hazards. To do this, you cannot simply look through the house on your own. You need a professional home inspector with construction knowledge and specialized tools to inspect the place.

As the average home inspection can cost between $300 to $500 and more, most people want to forgo this step. This decision can ultimately be more costly as you will need to spend thousands of dollars on repairs, renovations, and maybe even medical bills, depending on the underlying state of the house you purchase.

To avoid this, make sure you get a professional inspection done. If you feel that the general inspection is too expensive, look for alternative inspection options. At VisionQuest Home Inspections, LLC, we offer many different types of home inspections, and some are more cost-effective than others. Our “Condition Check Home Inspection†is almost half the price of the full-general inspection and covers all the major mechanicals of the home. The cost of this inspection is approximately $205 to $375, and overall extremely useful as our specialists are very thorough. To give you a clear idea of why our Condition Check Home Inspection is a value-added service, keep reading to see what it includes.

1. Visual inspection of the roof
Under this form of inspection, several elements are assessed by our inspector. They include:

Roof covering inspection: The inspector will check the type of roof cover used and its approximate age. Nail pops, lifting shingles, missing shingles, proper installation of flashing, sagging or budging, or any other signs of potential roof damage will be assessed as well.

Structure inspection: To inspect the structure of the roof, the inspector will walk the attic to identify broken or improperly installed trusses or joists. They will check for water penetration, visible daylight through exterior siding, rodent activity, and the source of infiltration.

Chimney inspection: For the chimney, the inspector will assess the installation of fire arrestor, wood rot, and potential for water penetration, the buildup of creosote, wildlife nesting, and other potential fire hazards.

2. All mechanical component inspection
In this case, all of the electrical, ventilation, and plumbing systems will be inspected to identify issues and determine their condition.

Electrical system inspection: For this, the inspector will open up your electrical panel to check for proper wiring and safety. They will check all outlets for correct wiring and potential fire hazards, and determine if GFCI outlets are placed where they should be.

HVAC inspection: While checking the HVAC system, the inspector will look at the filters for proper size and cleanliness. They will check the burners for burn marks or rust, air leaks, inspect for appropriate ventilation, ensure that the compressor unit is leveled, and that there is proper clearance around furnace unit. The inspector will also determine the age of the units and their life expectancy.

Plumbing inspection: This inspection will determine the type of plumbing in the house and check all shut-off valves, determine the condition of the hot water heater tank and its age and life expectancy and check the water pressure. They will even check the water pressure of all exterior spigots and the hot water heater tank.

3. Visual inspection of the exterior
Under this inspection, our inspector will check multiple areas outside the house to determine its condition and capability to withstand the elements and protect the interiors of your home. Some of the inspections included here are:

Siding and trim: This involves checking for proper installation, rotted wood, and adequate caulking along the trim and siding of the house.

Grading and drainage: Here, our inspection expert will check if there is a proper slope for water to flow away from the foundation of the house.

Decks: While checking the deck of a house, the inspector will look at the railing and steps for code specifications and proper securing of the deck to the structure. They will also look for wood rot and assess the overall condition of the deck.

Detached garage: If the house has a detached garage, our expert will do a full exterior and interior inspection to check for flaws in its structure, doorways, etc.

Sheds: Should the property come with a shed, the inspector will also check its general condition to ensure that it is safe for use.

Foundation inspection
This inspection is performed to determine the type of material used to prepare the foundation and its durability. Our expert will look for access points for rodents and water penetration. They will even inspect for any settling, uplifting, or shifting of the foundation and evaluate the drainage around the foundation.

4. Other inspections
Besides the above-mentioned inspections, our professional inspector will check the basement, crawl space, and attic if the house has these. Inspecting these areas will help ensure that they are intact and in a safe and habitable condition.

5. Infrared camera inspections
When inspecting houses, we do not merely assess them from the outside. We use an infrared camera to identify potentially problematic moisture issues, air leaks, overheating electrical components, or other problems. Once we’ve assessed the house, we will prepare an inspection report that will include straightforward thermographs and photographs, providing visual representations of the problem-areas we find.

Bottom line
As you can see, our “Condition Check Home Inspection†is just as effective as a full general inspection and happens to be comparatively cheaper. Our Condition Check prices are generated by the square footage of the house you want to have inspected. They start out at $205 for a 500 to 1500 square foot home.

Apart from this, you can also choose specific inspections like electrical inspections, foundation inspections, but doing this would mean that some aspects of the house will be ignored, which can come back to haunt you in the future. As much as possible, try to get the entire home​ inspected.

For a reliable and honest home inspector in Hiram, GA, reach out to VisionQuest Home Inspections, LLC. We are certified professionals and can spot deficiencies that may not be found by the potential buyer. The safety and function of a home is our top priority; therefore, our inspectors are all certified, insured, and attend continuous education classes. When we inspect a house, we make sure to provide our clients with as much information as necessary to make sound, worry-free decisions in the process of purchasing a new home or reviewing the condition of their current house.

To learn more about our services, please click here or get in touch with us by clicking here.