What is Not Included in a Home Inspection?
Scheduling a home inspection before buying a property is always a smart thing to do. If you detect some problems with the foundation on time, you’ll be able to get the best deal possible. Either the current owner will fix the issues, or the price will be reduced. Or, in the worst-case scenario, if the house is in terrible condition, you’ll stay away from buying it. But, although a home inspection is essential before purchasing a house, people seem to forget that it can’t uncover all the issues the property may face. Of course, that is not the reason to avoid it. It’s just important to be aware of things that are not included in a home inspection, and that’s what we at House Pro Home Inspections will help you with.
Home inspectors won’t inspect the condition behind the walls
When you’re hiring a home inspector, the inspection process itself is pretty much visual. To assess the conditions behind the walls, you need a drill and a lot of physical activity. You shouldn’t expect home inspectors to do that because they won’t. And, it’s worth noting that the average home inspection lasts around 2 hours, so there’s simply no time for checking anything in too much detail. Of course, when you find a trustworthy home inspection company, they’ll do a great job. But don’t raise your expectations too high because home inspectors can only do so much as check the overall condition of your home.
Electrical components that aren’t visible
Once again, since the inspection is primarily visual, any internal components that need to be extricated to get them checked are not a job for a home inspector. For example, you need to drill into the walls for some components to track down the potential issue. That’s a job for electricians. And while you shouldn’t expect your home inspector to do the check on the majority of internal components, here is something that most of them are checking in regards to electricity:
- Conductors
- Electrical service grounding
- Service-entrance conductors and cables
- Circuit breakers and fuses
- Service drop
- Switches and luminaire
Roof accessories are not included in a home inspection
Another thing that is not included in a home inspection is roof accessories. Home inspectors will check on the roof’s state, don’t worry about that. In most cases, home inspectors will check basic things such as a roof layer and a chimney. But, in regards to chimneys, don’t expect them to go into too much detail. On the other hand, roof accessories such as antennas, or solar panels, won’t be checked at all. However, we think that in most cases, accessories and potential issues they might have aren’t too big of a problem for you to terminate the buying process. Most of these problems can be fixed quickly; as long as the roof is in good condition.
Since there are some things that home inspectors don’t check, but they may vary from company to company, make sure to ask about the services before you hire a certain inspector. If something is very important to you, maybe you’ll find the inspector who will check it for you. Research is essential when moving to another city and buying a home there. The same goes for hiring professional moving assistance. Experts at Verified Movers think that reading reviews is the best way to make a sound choice. Research matters, so make sure to do your part.
Sewer line and septic tank
Most plumbing issues aren’t visible at all, so there is not much that home inspectors can do. In most cases, they will check the pipes around the house, but the sewer line and septic tank are well beyond their expertise. But, just because your home inspector won’t do it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t seek professional plumbing services. A lot of buyers nowadays do this before buying a property. Plumbing issues in NYC homes aren’t rare, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, our advice would be to call a professional plumber and a home inspector to ensure that your house is in good condition.
Hazardous substances
Hazardous substances in your future home are undoubtedly a big red flag. As a precaution, it should be checked. However, the regular home inspection doesn’t cover this, simply because most home inspectors aren’t qualified and equipped to track down these dangerous substances. These include:
- Asbestos
- Radon
- Toxic mold
- Methane
- Radiation
- Pests
Well, these are the most common malicious substances you can find in NYC homes. But bear in mind that the list of these substances goes on and on, so it might be a good idea to call the toxic substance inspection just to be sure.
The home inspection is still highly-recommended before moving to New York City
The fact that your home inspection won’t inspect everything in or around your home should be enough to steer you away from it. It will still uncover the majority of problems if any, and it should be at the top of your list when buying a home in New York City. Moving to the Big Apple is a huge step, but the truth is, your relocation can be silky smooth. With the help of professionals, your home will be expertly inspected and ready for you to move in. And, if you want the transfer of your belongings to be equally successful, know that you can find reputable help easily, as there are many top moving companies in the NYC area.
Final thoughts
Even though some things are not included in a home inspection, we recommend you go for them. Focus on the positives, or precisely, on many essential things that the inspectors will check. Without a home inspection, you must accept that purchasing a property is risky. And, when you’re moving to NYC, the last thing you’d want is to take the risk. These relocations are overwhelming, so you must do everything possible to make it as smooth as possible. Have a safe trip, and enjoy your new home!
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