Home Inspection Services: What’s Included and how Long does a Home Inspection take?

Home inspections offer many benefits to home buyers, home sellers, and homeowners. For buyers, a property inspection will help you uncover any defects present in the home before the sale. This should ensure your new dream home doesn’t turn into a nightmare down the road.

For sellers, a home inspection will allow you to understand the true condition of your property and set a price accordingly. If your house is in excellent condition, you may even use a home inspection as a negotiating leverage for better pricing.

Of course, a home inspection has several benefits, but how is it carried out? How long does a home inspection take? And what is included? Let’s find out all about home inspection services!

What Are Home Inspection Services?

A home inspection service is a qualified group of professionals who will carry out your home inspection. They will examine your home’s condition, its infrastructure’s safety, internal heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical work, sewage and other functional parts to ensure it is in good shape.

Inspection services are usually sought by individuals who want to sell or buy a piece of real estate. Depending on the inspection outcomes, you may then choose to negotiate your pricing, request repairs or even back out of a deal.

Many homeowners also opt for home inspection services as they allow you to find issues early on, saving you hefty repair costs in the future. Experts recommend getting your home inspected once every year for property maintenance.

Home Inspections vs. Home Appraisals

One important thing to note is that home inspections are not to be confused with home appraisals. Home inspections aim to identify the property’s condition whereas appraisals focus on the property’s value.

Appraisals tend to include an examination of the home, its surrounding neighborhood and the real estate market. On the other hand, a home inspection is only limited to the property, not the exterior factors. Though highly beneficial, a property inspection is also not considered mandatory for sale and purchase process, whereas home appraisals are required by mortgage lenders.

What Is Included In A Home Inspection?

A general home inspection will include an overview of the house’s interior and exterior. In some cases, you may accompany the home inspector so they can explain any potential pitfalls in your home’s condition.

A home inspection will include a study of a house’s foundation, plumbing, electrical HVAC, rooftops, windows and doors, kitchen and bathroom, ceilings, interior walls, gutters, patios, garage, decks, light fixtures, sprinklers, circuit breakers, driveways, etc. Some services also offer well and septic inspection. The purpose is to ensure your property is completely up to code.
Apart from the basics, you may also request more specialized inspections for potential mold or mildew, termites, asbestos, radon, pests, poor water quality and other concerns.

Having a home inspection will allow you to learn all about the house before you make a purchase and then pay thousands of dollars in repairs.

Similarly, for home sellers, you can have an inspection done before putting your house on the market. By taking care of any structural repairs and upgrades, you are more likely to boost your selling price and close a deal.

In short, home inspections are not necessary or legally required but are always recommended so both the buyers and sellers of a home are satisfied.

How Long Does A Home Inspection Take?

Several factors can affect the total time for your home inspection. Most home inspections take around 2 to 3 hours to complete but the actual time will vary depending on the size of your home.

Typically, you can expect 2–3 hours for 1200-2000 square feet homes. Every additional 500 square feet can add 0.5 hours to your inspection time. Some home inspection services may provide you with two home inspectors at a time to complete the job faster.
Another factor to consider is the age of the house. The older a home is, the more likely you will find structural damages, so it will take more time for a thorough assessment. Moreover, if your home has a crawl space or basement, it will need to be checked and could add even more time.
Finally, it depends on the expertise of your home inspector. Some inspectors have a keen eye and can quickly spot problems during the home inspection process, so it is wrapped up a lot more quickly.

What Happens After An Inspection?

After a home inspection is complete, the inspector will take additional time to compile all the results in the form of an inspection report. For smaller homes, the report may be available on the same day as the inspection, but this is typically not the case. Quality home and building inspection services will usually deliver the report within 24 hours.

The report will include everything you will need to know about the condition of your home. It typically includes a summary of findings highlighting the most important issues (if any), descriptions of the issues and their potential impact, along with images showcasing the issues.

If you are a buyer who has received this report, you can request the homeowner to make necessary repairs. In other cases, you can request that the homeowner provide you a credit so you can make the repairs on your own. If unhappy with the report, you can always step back from the deal.
If you are a seller, the report will make you aware of any potential issues. You can make the necessary corrections before you put your house on the market. Of course, if the report flags any code violations, you will want to sort them out immediately so you can get a better deal.

When Should You Get Your Home Inspected?

Most homeowners opt for a property inspection when selling their property or buying a new home. But this is not always the case; you are also recommended to have regular home inspections if:

Your home is in a region with harsh weather conditions, consistent rain/snow, potential flooding and other effects.
You have an old home that is more prone to wear and tear
You may be renting out your home for a short period
You live in an area that is prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes.

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), you should have your home inspected at least once a year. This will allow you to catch issues early on to avoid higher cost down the road.

Proactive homeowners benefit from a home inspection at least once every 2-3 years. Unseen infestation and environmental exposure can damage a home in a short time. Home inspections are a safe and sensible way to save you money in repairs and to maintain your home and its value.

How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost in Indiana?

Your total home inspection cost will depend on the type of inspection service you opt for. The typical cost for a property inspection can vary anywhere from $200 to $500. However, this cost will vary according to the type of home inspection service you hire, your geographical location, the size of your home, the location of your house, and any additional inspections you request (asbestos testing, mold testing, radon testing, water testing, etc.).

We encourage you to never rely on a cheaper, unqualified service in the hopes of saving a couple of bucks. Unreliable inspection services may cut corners with their inspection, overlooking several problems. You should think of a home inspection as an investment that will save you costs in the future. So, only rely on the best!

Who Pays For A Home Inspection?

The buyer is responsible for paying for the home inspection since the buyer chose to conduct proper due diligence.

On the other hand, a seller may also choose to get the home pre-inspected to fix any underlying issues or expedite the property sale. In this case, the seller will be paying for the home inspection.

Hiring A Home Inspector for Your Indiana Home Inspection

There are several home inspection services available today, but not all are properly accredited or experienced. Some will have inflated portfolios and recommendations but deliver poor inspections.

When hiring home inspectors in Indiana, make sure they are fully licensed, insured and appropriately experienced. You can request for references from your friends and family or look up reviews online before making a final decision. This way, you will be able to get an affordable home inspection without compromising the quality.

Looking for qualified Indiana home inspectors?

Taggart Inspections: A Certified Home Inspection Service

Taggart Inspections is one of the leading Indiana home inspection services, ensuring your current or next residence is perfectly safe to live in. Justin Taggart, one of the best home inspectors in Indiana leading Taggart Inspections, is an ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) licensed home inspector with extensive experience in the field who will thoroughly evaluate your property.

For more information on what our Indiana home inspection service can do for you, contact Taggart Inspections today!