What Does Home Inspection Cover?

What does your home inspection cover? And who is liable if a problem develops down the road? You need an inspection on any property you are buying, regardless if it’s old or new construction. An inspection is like a check-up for your house.

What repairs will need to addressed now and what might need to be addressed later down the road? This is what you have answered during an inspection.   Having an inspection done prior to signing a contract allows you to negotiate your findings into the deal. Does the roof need replaced? The seller may give an allowance to pay for the repairs.

Keep in mind, however, that simply because a house needs repairs doesn’t mean you shouldn’t purchase it. Nearly every house will have a list of repairs that need to be done to get it “shipshape.” It is your decision to choose how much you are willing to spend and how much work you are willing to do.

There are limits, however, to what a home inspection will cover. They aren’t required to identify conditions that are concealed or are considered latent defects. That means if personal property, plants, or debris is covering an issue, the home inspector isn’t require to move those items to inspect it and isn’t liable if he misses it. They aren’t required to make determinations on systems that aren’t readily accessible.
And they aren’t required to note the presence of potentially hazardous plants and animals. That includes “wood destroying organisms” or even molds.

This means you should find a home inspector that you trust. The Stovall Team recommends you choose from our list of licensed professionals. Having a trusted inspector means that most every problem that can be identified, will be. And inspection is about peace of mind, and a good inspector gives you that.
By Steve Stovall