Recently, I received a call from a home buyer wanting to interview me for a potential home inspection. Aside from the initial personal qualification questions, we discussed what to expect from the inspection itself. I thanked them for their diligence and offered this short list of considerations:

What knowledge should I be looking to gain from my inspection?

• Is the house structurally sound, safe, and a healthy place to live?
• What is the age and current general condition of the roof?
• Do I know pertinent info about the attic and crawlspace? This would include insulation coverage and thickness, as well as any water penetration issues.
• Are the heating and cooling systems operating as designed?
• Are all plumbing fixtures in working order, secure, and free of leaks?
• Do I know the location of the main water shutoff and the predominant piping materials; supply, waste, and venting?
• What is the location and condition of the electrical service and associated panels, including breaker status?
• Does the seller have maintenance records they are willing to release?
• Are the kitchen appliances performing as expected, including operating lights?
• Should I be concerned about environmental issues, i.e. asbestos, mold, radon, or termites?

While this list is not exhaustive, it provides a good basis for beginning to understand what a general home inspection should reveal.

Never hesitate to ask a potential home inspector to explain what information the home inspection is expected to produce. And never feel uncomfortable asking for references. You'll want to learn as much as you can about your home inspection company BEFORE the inspection.

And, as always, thanks for considering U.S. Inspect.