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Home Inspection Help Center

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Getting Started

  • Introduction
  • What is a Home Inspection?
  • What is Covered by an Inspection?
  • Components / Testing Not Covered by a Home Inspection
  • How Long Should an Inspection Take?
  • Goal of the Home Inspection Service
  • Attending the Inspection - Who's Invited?
  • What Does the Buyer Need to Bring to an Inspection?
  • What Should be Expected from the Inspector?
  • How Much Should a Home Inspection Cost?
  • When Should You Pay the Inspection Fees?
  • What Should the Home Inspection Report Look Like?
  • Understanding Inspection Reports
  • What Happens After the Inspection?

Buyers Guide

  • Buying a Home "As Is"
  • Inspecting Old vs. New Homes
  • Should I Be Concerned About Chinese Drywall?

Sellers Guide

  • Today's Sellers
  • Home Inspections & The Seller's Responsibilities
  • What Defects are the Seller's Responsibility?
  • Does the Inspector Come Back to Inspect Repairs?
  • Should Repairs or Building Updates be Permitted?
  • I am the Seller – Should I Have My Home Inspected Before I Sell?
  • Communicating with the Inspector (for Sellers)

Inspection Companies

  • A Typical Menu of Inspection Services
  • Comparing Inspection Companies

Additional Info

  • Deciding on a Home Warranty
  • The Inspector Missed Something. What Should You Do?
  • How Do I Choose My Termite Inspector?
  • Do I Really Need a Real Estate Agent?
  • Buying a Newly Constructed Home
  • Elements of a New Construction Inspection
  • Roof Covering and Installation Date
  • Roof Deck Attachment
  • Roof to Wall Connection
  • Roof Shape
  • Secondary Water Resistance
  • Opening Protection
  • Hurricane Mitigation 101 Summary
  • Are There More Risks with Short Sales than Foreclosed Distressed Homes?

Sinkholes

  • Should I Be Concerned About Sinkholes?
  • What is a Sinkhole?
  • Sinkhole Inspection

The Inspector Missed Something. What Should You Do?

It is not uncommon for Buyers to experience problems with their new homes after moving in. For instance, the 15-year old air conditioner may decide to quit working within days of moving in, or suddenly there’s a leak in the roof after a particularly hard rain. There is the understandable impulse to blame the home inspector for these unexpected failings. However, it should be remembered that the home inspection is non-invasive, and is based on the visible conditions at the time of the inspection. Home systems can fail at any time because the house continues to age, people continue to interact with it, and factors such as high winds and rain from a storm, or improper use/maintenance of a system can result in a problem. Factors totally unrelated to the inspection such as damage caused by the movers or an improper post-inspection repair may cause problems. And the removal of the Seller’s furniture or a remodeling project may also uncover issues that were not visible during the original inspection.

It is because of these post-inspection possibilities that it is so important for the Buyer to conduct a thorough walk-through of the house immediately before signing on the closing. Make sure that all systems continue to function as represented, and that the exit of the Seller from the house has not caused or revealed any conditions not noted in the home inspection report. Remember, too, that professional home inspectors will document every condition and test result to support you with claims from your home warranty (if one was purchased). And finally, it is hoped that you were diligent and thorough in selecting your home inspector. It is the veteran inspector with professional credentials and years of experience who will most likely uncover the hidden defects that pose the financial risks of your real estate transaction.

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