Despite this fact, however, there is still some uncertainty about what homebuyers can anticipate when they hire a certified home inspector. Here are some of the basics that homebuyers should expect from someone who has received professional home inspection training

1. Standards of Practice: Good home inspectors will give homebuyers the standards they follow, either from the state or from a professional home inspection organization. They will then go over what will be included in the inspection. When the home inspection is over, the report should include a description of:

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  • The property’s classification (age, size, location, condition)
  • What inspection methods were used (probing, visual, measurement and research)
  • Problem areas/deficiencies (the evidence doesn’t need to be conclusive)
  • The possible consequences of these problem areas
  • Unsafe areas that will require a third-party inspection

1. Limits: There are also a number of things a certified home inspector isn’t required to do. Those include: determining the market value of the property, offering any kind of warranties or guarantees, entering the under-floor crawl spaces, or inspecting detached structures other than garages or carports. These are just a few examples; clients should come prepared with their own questions.
2. Inspection Agreement: This is what home inspectors think of as their “contract” with homebuyers. After going through the standards of practice, the homebuyer’s expectations, the home inspector’s restrictions, and any other items unique to the situation, homebuyer’s must sign this agreement before the home inspection begins. The signed agreement should generally include:

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  • Name of the certified home inspector
  • The property’s address
  • Date of the inspection
  • Date when repair work will be finished
  • Cost of the inspection and the method of payment
  • Information on dispute resolution resources

Finally, homebuyers shouldn’t expect a home inspector to assign blame for defects. Their job is to identify problems in the house, note them accordingly, but not to pass judgments.

Here are the top 10 reasons to get a home inspection before you sign your name on the dotted line:  

1. Your biggest investment. Americans aren’t big savers. Instead of piggy banks, Americans own homes. If you buy a lemon of a house, you may watch your biggest investment go belly up.
2. Radon: Radon is a gas that rises from the ground and sometimes seeps into houses, causing health problems. Home inspectors perform advanced radon testing.
3. Mold: Is there a water leak in the basement, bathroom or kitchen? The right combination of moisture, warmth and wood can produce mold in as little as 48 hours. Allergies and respiratory issues may follow.
4. Termites: Need we say more?
5. Septic System: If you buy a house with a faulty septic system, it can cost upwards of $20,000 to replace. A certified home inspector can identify the tell-tale signs of poor performance.  
6. Lead paint: Lead paint is found in some homes built before 1978. If the paint job is in good shape—no flaking or peeling—you’re generally in good shape. But if children nibble the paint job or eat paint chips, the health cost could be high. Find out what you’re dealing with.
7. Fireplaces: A black film called creosote often builds up inside the fireplace after many years. If it’s too thick, then you’ve got a potential fire hazard on your hands.  
8. Roof: Nobody thinks about the roof until it fails. Don’t spend a fortune on a house and then fork over thousands more when you discover the roof is no good.
9. The objectivity factor: Many home buyers get emotional when looking at a house. Home inspectors, fortunately, aren’t distracted by pretty drapes—they’re looking for problems. Can you do that?
10. The professional factor: If you’re a legal secretary, for example, you know a home inspector can’t sit down and do your job. It’s the same with certified home inspectors; they receive top notch home inspection training, which makes them pros in their field.