HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE HOME INSPECTION

Below are 11 Tips on Preparing for the Home Inspection.  Please acknowledge receipt and call us with any questions.

1. Clean the House.  Before the day of the inspection, be sure to give the home a thorough cleaning. This sounds so simple yet home owners often overlook this tactic. Home inspectors are people first and inspectors second. As people, they carry preconceived ideas of how well a home has been maintained. Clean homes say you care and take care of the house.

2.  Leave the Utilities Connected.  The home inspector will need to turn on the stove, run the dishwasher, test the furnace and air conditioning, so leave the utilities on, especially if the house is vacant. It's impossible to check receptacles for grounding and reverse polarity if the power is turned off. Without utilities, the inspector will have to reschedule, which could delay the closing of your transaction and the removal of the buyer's home inspection contingency.

3.  Provide Workspace Around Furnace and Water Heaters.  In your preparation, be sure that the inspector has easy access.  Remove boxes, bookcases, furniture and anything else blocking access to your furnace, air conditioner, electrical panels and water heater. 

4.  Testing of Utilities.  Part of the home inspection will include testing of the utilities. Before the inspection, make sure that you leave all utilities on, such as, gas, light, water and any other types of utilities that you have.  Many home inspectors will refuse to light pilot lights because they are not covered for that type of liability. If your pilot lights are not lit, then important items such as the water heater, gas stove, furnace or fireplace will not be inspected and the buyer could delay closing until those inspections are completed.

5.  Provide Access to Attic and Garage. The inspector will need to get into your basement, crawl space and / or attic as well, so keep a path cleared (often times located in closets). Move boxes away from the walls.

6.  Leave Keys for Outbuildings & Electrical Boxes. Leave the remote controls for your garage door opener or a key if the garage is unattached to the house. Unlock the covers for your sprinkler system and electrical box. Leave a key for exterior building access.

7.  Provide Repair Documents. Make available to the home inspector all invoices and documents regarding remodeling projects or new items such as a roof or furnace. If you've upgraded the electrical from ungrounded to grounded, installed a new dishwasher or repaired a leaky faucet, find the paperwork. It will give the buyer peace of mind to know those items were re-inspected.

8.  Smoke Detectors & Emergency Lighting. It is also important that you test the smoke detectors and emergency lighting (if present) in your home before the inspection.  Replace defective ones or replace batteries if needed.

9.  Should a Seller Be Present for the Inspection?  NO.

10. Prepare to be Away for Two Hours Minimum. Often the buyer will accompany the home inspector, and buyers feel uncomfortable asking questions if the owner is present. Try to schedule a time for the inspection when you can be out of the house, and take the children with you. Crate your pets if you cannot remove them from the premises.

11.   What about after the inspection?   Sit back and relax. Connie will assist you in the process after the inspection. Remember, competent professional home inspectors provide their customers with unbiased and clear information. They put the conditions noted in the course of their inspections in perspective. This allows buyers to make calm and informed decisions about the information in the inspection report. 

A few days after the inspection, the inspector will provide a written report to the Buyer.  As soon as we receive a copy of the Report, we will forward it to you.