So, you’re buying or selling a home in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to know what is involved in a Home Inspection.  In this article, we will discuss the amount of time needed for the inspection, what Home Inspectors look for, how to prepare the home for an inspection, and the tools we use.

How Much Time Does An Inspection Take

A typical home inspection takes around 2 to 4 hours for an average sized home.  There are many factors that affect the time it takes such as:

• The age of the home – Some of an older home’s major systems may be outdated and need repair or replacement which takes more time to write up in the report
• How well the home was maintained – Many of the defects we find are simple fixes that just didn’t get maintained properly over the years
• Time discussing the report with our clients – We always welcome our clients to attend but we usually ask them to save questions for the end of the inspection so we can be quick and efficient

 

What Components or Systems Does A Home Inspector Inspect

A home inspection involves all the major systems in a typical home.  We inspect for safety and function issues within the home so that they can be addressed sooner rather than later before they become expensive repairs.  Sometimes, it’s already too late but we believe everything is fixable and negotiable.  These systems include but are not limited to:

Roof

This includes the condition of:

• The roof coverings
• Roof penetrations and the general structure
• Chimney
• Skylights
• Gutters
• Downspouts
• Vents
• Flashings

Fireplace

The home inspector will inspect:

• The visible portions of the fireplace and chimneys
• Lintels
• Damper doors
• Clean out doors and frames

Attic, Insulation, and Ventilation

The home inspector will look at the ventilation and insulation in the unfinished spaces including:

• Crawlspaces
• Foundation areas
• Exhaust systems

Exterior

• Walkways
• Driveways
• Stairs
• Patios and decks
• Drainage
• Exterior doors
• Siding
• Windows
• Flashing and Trim

Heating

We check the overall condition of the heating system, energy source, the location of thermostat, and the type of heating system you have in the home.

Cooling

We check the overall condition of the cooling system, energy source, the location of thermostat, and the type of cooling system you have in the home.

Plumbing

Water can cause major issues with any home so we add a lot of attention to the plumbing in a home. This includes:

• Main water and fuel supply shut-off valves
• Water heater
• Interior water supply
• Drains
• Waste and vent systems
• Toilets
• Sinks
• Showers
• Tubs

Electrical

A home’s electrical system is what provides the power so we give this a lot of attention as well including:

• The service drop (this is where the electrical utility company connects to your home)
• Conducting wires
• The service head and mast
•  Main shutoff
• Panel boards and Sub-panels
• Light fixtures
• Outlets
• The presence of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

Doors, Windows, and Interior

This includes a representative number of:

• The garage door and openers
• Doors
• Floors
• Walls
• Ceilings
• Windows
• Stairs
• Railings

Foundation, Basement, Crawlspace, and Structure

• Foundational movement
• Indication of water penetration
• Structural issues
• Cracks

How Do I Prepare My Home For A Home Inspection

• Please make sure the water, gas, and electricity are turned on
• Please ensure proper access to the entire property and that all pets are safely contained
• Please make sure personal belongings are not blocking access to the attic and crawlspace access areas

What Tools Does A Home Inspector Use

The minimum necessary basic tools that we use are:

• Flashlight
• Screwdriver
• Ladder
• GFCI tester
• Phone / Camera

The more advanced tools that provide us with additional information that our eyes can’t see are:

• Drone for non-walkable roofs
• Moisture meter
• Gas detector
• Non-contact voltage detector
• Infrared camera
• Advanced electrical tester

 

I really hope that this information has provided you some beneficial insight into what to expect from your next Home Inspection.  This is a very important process in the home buying and selling process.  If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have any questions about the Home Inspection process, please let us know!  You can call, text, email, or schedule your inspection online 24/7 right from our website by clicking on this link:  Schedule Your Home Inspection

 

Thanks for reading!

David @ Sneak Peak Inspection