Home Inspection GuideWhy
do I need a home inspection?
A home inspection summarizes the condition of
a property, points out the need for major repairs and identifies areas that may need
attention in the near future. Buyers and sellers depend on an accurate home
inspection to maximize their knowledge of the property in order to make
intelligent decisions before executing an agreement for sale or purchase.
A home inspection points out the positive
aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep
it in good shape.
What
does a home inspection include?
A home inspection is a thorough visual,
objective evaluation of the condition of over 400 items in a house. A home
inspection reports on the findings from a visual inspection of the condition of
a home’s heating system, central air conditioning (weather permitting),
interior plumbing and electrical systems; roof, attic, and visible insulation;
walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; foundation, basement, and visible
structures of the home. A home inspection describes the physical condition of a
property on the day of the inspection and indicates what may need repair or
replacement. You will also receive a printed report covering all the findings and a Home Binder to use like a filing cabinet for your new home purchase.
What will it cost?
On average the typical home inspection fee is
about $ 300 - $500.00. The inspection fees for a typical single family home will vary
by size and features of the property, selling price, and age of the home. Additionally, services
such as termite inspections and radon testing may be warranted depending upon the individual
property. Do not let the cost deter you from having a home inspection–
knowledge gained from an inspection is well worth the time and expense. The
lowest-priced inspector is not necessarily a bargain. The inspector's
qualifications, including experience, training, and ASHI affiliations, should be the most important
consideration in your selection. All Inspections are
performed to meet or exceed American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
Standards of Practice.
What
if the report reveals problems?
No house is perfect. The findings serve to
educate you in advance of the purchase about the condition of the property. A
seller may adjust the purchase price or contract terms if major problems are
discovered during an inspection. If your budget is tight, or if you do not want
to be
involved in future repair work, this information will be extremely valuable.
The Jardine Inspections has conducted
thousands of inspections around the St. Louis Area and our inspectors
are familiar with all types of construction and building types. We have
inspected 100+ year old homes as well as new construction and in
between. We suggest you trust the inspector that knows the area and
knows the construction types to be inspected. With the Jardine Inspections, you can be assured you are getting experienced inspectors that are ASHI Certified and insured.