What to Expect in a Home Inspection

Most buyers and sellers are curious about what is included in a home inspection report, and are sometimes surprised to find out how thorough a home inspections can be. There are typically around 400 items that are inspected and considered throughout the process, resulting in a 20-30 page log report.

Here are some of the ways an inspection report may present the content.

Checklist content: As you may imagine, when a checklist is utilized, there isn’t much written content; the report will have a series of check boxes with brief descriptions, allowing the inspector to designate a fact about the home, such as “cracks in foundation”. This report tends to be much shorter (4 or 5 pages) and can leave quite a bit open to interpretation.

Narrative content: More often a report will include a written narrative consisting of a detailed description of the condition of the house. It will highlight and elaborate on any foreseen ramifications of any major flaws or considerations based on the overall condition of the house. Usually, a recommendation is also included suggesting any problems that should be addressed, and how the buyer or seller should proceed.

Report content: The report will most likely be broken down into sections based on home systems. Major components are:

• Structure
• Common safety devices
• Basement/Crawlspace
• AC/HVAC system
• Plumbing
• Bathrooms
• Electrical
• Kitchen/appliances
• Fireplace/wood stove
• Roof
• Interior/exterior walls

Reviewing a 30 page report may be daunting, but when it comes to purchasing a home, the more exact and detailed the information, the better. Your home is most likely the biggest investment you will make in your lifetime, so being thorough is key!