Common Home Inspection Mistakes to Avoid

Updated on 12/27/2022

Common Home Inspection Mistakes to Avoid

A home inspection is an integral part of the home buying process. During an inspection, a licensed professional walks through the property to check for potential problems.

For instance, the inspection might reveal cracks in the foundation or issues with the electrical components. 

However, many homebuyers make common mistakes when preparing for the inspection. If you are in the market for a new home or are curious about the home inspection process, it might be helpful to learn about some common home inspection mistakes to avoid. 

Not Doing Research

Home inspections are organized by the homebuyer, who can benefit greatly from a quality inspection. However, just hiring an inspector to do the inspection is not your only job during this process. Major mistakes can happen after you hire an inspector, which could negatively impact your purchase.

Choosing the first home inspection company you come across may not benefit you. It’s important to do your research. It can be helpful to read reviews, ratings and even customer complaints to see if the company is reputable. 

Not Being Present for the Inspection

As the buyer, you’re not the one physically inspecting the property. However, being there during the inspection can be just as important.

It isn’t usually required, but your presence can make a difference. For instance, you’ll be able to ask questions and point things out that the inspector might have missed. 

Not Preparing the Property for Inspection

Is your new home cluttered with possessions? The inspector is there to inspect the home, not move boxes or clean out the garage.

A great way to get a thorough inspection is to prepare the home for it, which means making sure that the inspector can easily navigate the property. It can also make the inspection go more quickly so that you aren’t there all day!

Not Reading the Report

At the end of the inspection, you can expect to receive a home inspection report. This document details all the steps that the inspector took to check for potential problems.

The report should also give details about problems that the inspector found. If you don’t read the report, you may not be aware of these problems, which could lead to more problems down the road. 

Not Getting an Inspection

While most buyers acknowledge the importance of getting a home inspection, some buyers of new construction think this step can just be skipped. On the contrary, new builds should also require a thorough inspection to make sure your investment is sound.

There are plenty of issues that can arise with construction and you certainly don’t want to find out later that a major problem could have been addressed at the time.

Make sure you get a full home inspection regardless of the age of the home; just because it’s new doesn’t mean it is perfect! In fact, it is recommended that you actually get two home inspections for new builds to monitor the construction in phases. 

By Admin