Buyer’s Inspection
Know What You Are Buying
When purchasing a home, you should always have a professional home inspection performed. A buyer’s inspection provides you with the knowledge you need to make a confident, informed decision. You need to know exactly what you are getting. Our professional home inspection will reveal any hidden defects and safety concerns to assist you in your decision making process allowing you to move ahead with confidence or keep looking.
When we inspect the home we will look at the systems that make up the building such as:
BASEMENT FOUNDATION STRUCTURE
- Foundation Walls
- Main Floor Structure
- Basement And Garage Floors
- Roofing Structure
- Crawl Spaces
- Basement Moisture Intrusion (this is a common problem in Minnesota)
- Sump Pump Systems
ATTIC SPACES
- We make every effort to enter and crawl every attic space
- Roof Sheathing
- Roof Leaks
- Attic Insulation
- Attic Ventilation
- Pests
- Air Leaks From Rooms Below
ROOF COVERINGS
- We make every effort to walk each roof when safe. Common sense exceptions are rain, snow, excessive height and slope.
- Roof Coverings
- Roof Flashing
- Skylights
- Gutter Systems
EXTERIOR
- Siding
- Fascia and Soffit
- Windows
- Doors
- Steps and Stoops
- Decks
- Balcony’s
- Porches
- Vents
- Hose Bibs AKA Garden Hose Faucet
GROUNDS
- Grade Of Yard, (very common problem in Minnesota)
- Sidewalks
- Driveways
- Vegetation that may adversely affect the house
- Patios
- Retaining Walls
INTERIOR
- Ceilings
- Walls
- Floors
- Doors
- Stairs
- Handrails
- Guardrails
- Built In Cabinets
- Counter Tops
GARAGE
- Attached or Detached (or both)
- Garage Overhead Door
- Garage Door Openers
- Garage Floor
- Garage Fire Wall
- Garage Accessories
CHIMNEY FIREPLACE
- Chimney Crown
- Chimney Brick
- Chimney Flashing
- Chimney Spark Arrestor
- Chimney Stability
- Wood Burning Fireplace Components
- Vented Gas Log Fireplace
- Fireplace Accessories
PLUMBING SYSTEM
- Water Supply Distribution Pipes
- Drain Waste and Vent System
- Water Heaters and Venting
- Visible Portion Of Water Main Into Home
- Plumbing Fixtures (toilets, sinks, tubs, showers)
- Gas Supply Pipes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Service Entrance Cables/Drop
- Raceways
- Main and Sub Electric Panels, (cover removed and inspected)
- Branch Wiring
- Outlets, Standard, GFCI, AFCI
- Light Switches
- Built In Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
HVAC SYSTEMS (heating ventilating and cooling)
- Installed Heating System/s
- Basic Forced Air Furnace Operation Training
- Central Air Conditioning System, (outside temperature must be above 65 degrees)
- HVAC Distribution/Ducts
- Thermostats and Controls
- Built In Humidifiers
- HRV’s, (heat recovery ventilator)
APPLIANCES
- All appliances are operated on their basic operation and inspected for safety related items.
- Clothes Washers/Dryers
- Kitchen Appliances
- Exhaust Fans
The inspection report will tell you what needs to be repaired, what routine maintenance tasks you should perform to keep the house in top condition, and all safety related items found throughout the inspection.
The professional home inspection will reduce the risk of costly surprises with what is likely to be the largest purchase you will ever make. It helps you to make a more informed, more comfortable decision.
