Home inspectors inspect what’s visible and accessible inside and outside the home. That’s what essentially every Standards of Practice say. So why doesn’t it include outbuildings? Sheds, outbuildings, and other detached structures are certainly part of the property, and your insurance company might even include them. But as for home inspections, they fall into a…
DetailsAppliances don’t always convey when a house is sold, so many of the homes that an inspector inspects will have a relatively appliance-free kitchen. But where appliances are permanently installed, they require the same level of attention as the rest of the house. The newly updated ASHI Standards of Practice outline several changes that inspectors…
DetailsCrawlspaces are, by definition, not exactly spacious. Some of them are entirely vacant aside from the occasional wild critter. They’re dirty and often dank, too. So are home inspectors really expected to shimmy inside? In most cases, the answer is yes. The crawlspace might seem like a relatively unimportant part of a home, especially compared…
DetailsAttics are hot in summer, cold in winter, dusty, dirty, and part of a complete home inspection. Inspectors typically work by a set of standards. They’re the Standards of Practice, and most home inspector associations have them. No matter which Standards you work by, you can bet that attic inspections are always on the list.…
DetailsHomebuyers are quick to notice obvious things about the exterior of a house, such as the condition of the front door, the landscaping and the color of the stucco or siding. Roof systems, however, receive very little attention, despite the critical role they play in protecting the entire structure. Roof inspections are important, which is…
DetailsThe appeal of a historic home, or one that’s got the same birthdate without the special designation, is the stuff of dreams for a lot of people. There’s just something about a peaked Victorian or sturdy Craftsman that sets hearts aflutter. But with older properties comes the potential for a mishmash of home defects. Inspecting…
DetailsWinter is coming? Say it isn’t so! Unfortunately, frigid temperatures and everything that goes with them will be here before you know it. And that can mean roof issues for unfortunate homeowners and buyers. Here are some issues that might not be obvious when the weather is warm. Once snow and freezing rain starts to…
DetailsAre buyers in your area seeing double? While some areas require no home inspection at all, some are at the other end of the scale. Prospective buyers may spend thousands in private home inspections plus auxiliary inspections, and still be required to undergo one by the city. That’s what’s happening in San Rafael, California. Real…
DetailsCustomers love plastic, and you might, too. Don’t want the hassle of credit cards and credit card vendors? You might find yourself without the hassle of too many customers, to boot. It’s a plastic-driven world, and the businesses that don’t accept cards are at an instant disadvantage. But maybe it’s not as expensive and frustrating…
DetailsIs this thing on? How many home inspectors perform inspections and have almost no communication with the customer at all? Some send an email or a quick phone call, and some might communicate more with the real estate agent than the client. You might be surprised by how common the practice is. But good communication…
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