Home Inspection Glossary
Use the Search Box to access InterNACHI's (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors') Glossary:
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual examination of the home's major structure, systems and components that are visible and safely accessible.
What, specifically, does a home inspection include?
The inspector should substantially adhere to a standards of practice that outlines what should be covered during a general home inspection, as well as what is excluded. Whatever is to be included - and excluded - should be clearly understood prior to the inspection.
We use the Standards of Practice of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
Should there be a written report?
The inspector should provide you with a written report, which may include photos and/or recommendations, of his or her findings of the inspection. The Home Inspection Report will be based on the Standards of Practice.
Our Inspection Report is comprehensive, detailed and easy to understand. We make your complete Home Inspection Report available to you online within 24-hours of completion of the Home Inspection.
How do I order my Home Inspection?
Most Home Inspection Companies schedule Home Inspections by telephone. Some may also be scheduled online. Be sure to read and understand the Home Inspection Agreement prior to your inspection.
Our office is available to schedule your Inspection Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm and on Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm. For Connecticut, call (203) 832-4592; For New York, call (914) 839-4232.
Our office staff are friendly and knowledgeable. They will walk you through the details of the inspection, answer any questions you may have and provide pricing information.
Why should I get a home inspection?
Buying a home is typically the biggest investment you will ever make, so it's important to get a home inspection because the inspector should be able to discover and document defects that may or may not be obvious to you as a prospective buyer. Such defects can range from simple replacements or repairs, to severe damage or safety and health concerns. Additionally, most mortgage companies require a home inspection on a property before approving the home loan. Read InterNACHI’s Top 10 Reasons to Get a Home Inspection.
Where can I find a home inspector in my area?
There are several ways to find a home inspector. You may be able to find one online or in local ads. You may also find inspectors' brochures by visiting a real estate office. Or, you may get a referral from a family member or friend. There is no single method that is superior when it comes to finding an inspector who's right for your inspection needs.
Below are some online resources for finding a home inspector near you:
How can I be sure that a home inspector is qualified?
It is important to choose a home inspector who is qualified and holds a license or certification in the field. Most states now require Home Inspectors to be licensed, with strict requirements for training, experience, examination and competency. Regardless of your state, you should hire only a qualified professional.
Contact your state to find out whether they license home inspectors, and what qualifications they're required to have. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors – InterNACHI® – is the largest and most trusted home inspector association worldwide. Its members undergo rigorous training to become Certified Professional Inspectors (CPIs)®. They also follow a Standards of Practice and adhere to a Code of Ethics. Find out if your inspector is a licensed CPI before you hire him or her.
Home Tech Inspections Inc. is uniquely qualified. We are licensed in both New York and Connecticut and I am a Certified Professional Inspector. You may view my recent Continuing Education log here. Please browse our pages to see our qualifications - and make it your business to shop around and get to understand more about the business.
How much does a home inspection cost?
There is no set cost for a home inspection. The cost will vary based on the inspector, the local market, the geographic region, the scope of the inspection to be performed, and more. Before the inspection, you should find out what will be included in the inspection and what won't, and these details should also be outlined in the inspection agreement that you will need to sign prior to the inspection.
Our staff will be happy to give you a price for your specific inspection based on such things as size, location, year built, number of bedrooms and bathrooms and foundation type. Though we're competitive in the local market, we may not be the cheapest - but, we do insist that we represent the very best value for money. Again, we encourage you to shop around and get to know what's out there.
How long does a home inspection take?
Depending on the home's age, size, and location, as well as the home inspector's own work protocols and ethic, your home inspection may take up to three hours, or even more. Adding square footage, outbuildings, and/or ancillary services (such as mold or radon testing) will increase that time. If your general home inspection takes significantly less than two to three hours, it may indicate that the inspector was not thorough enough.
We make extensive use of technology, including infrared, drones, moisture meters, electrical meters and gas leak detectors to name a few. Many of these speed up the inspection process while adding to the accuracy of the inspection. However, as our inspections are thorough, they tend to take on the long side, usually in excess of three hours. The provision of such things as an Appliance RecallChek, and the Home Energy Inspection also add to the time spent at the home. All of this is aimed toward the goal of learning as much as possible about the home - and sharing that information with you.
At what point in the real estate transaction should I schedule a home inspection?
A home inspection is usually scheduled after an offer has been made and accepted, but before the closing date. That way, the inspector can rule out any major defects that could be dangerous or costly. In general, you should schedule the inspection for the earliest possible date.
We try to be flexible as possible in scheduling our inspections but ask that you give us as much notice as possible. We try to book inspections for 9:00am and 2:00pm. Again, our office staff will do all they can to accommodate your schedule.
Can I change my appointment day or time?
We will do all we can to accommodate your schedule. You will get reminders by text or email about your upcoming appointment. If you need to reschedule - or cancel - an appointment, please let us know as soon as you can.
Should I be present for the inspection?
You should attend the inspection - at least for a part of it - and you should reconsider hiring an inspector who doesn't allow this. Additionally, you will likely learn information about the home's maintenance, systems and components that may provide useful information for the transaction.
We highly encourage our clients to be present for at least a part of the inspection. This will help them to better understand the home, how it works, its deficiencies, how serious they are and how they might be addressed. It will also help a lot in understanding the Home Inspection Report.
Can the home inspector also repair any defects he or she finds?
What if your home inspector is also a licensed contractor? Sounds great, right? Not always. Although it may seem convenient to have an inspector who is also a contractor, it poses a conflict of interest. According to InterNACHI's Code of Ethics:
If an inspector financially benefits from finding any defects, this can impact the accuracy of the report (whether intentional or not). Make sure the inspector you hire abides by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
In line with our code of ethics, and to avoid any conflict of interest, Home Tech Inspections Inc does not supply any non-inspection services to the client for a period of a year after the inspection.
What happens if the inspection reveals problems?
If your home inspection reveals any problems, it is important to understand the severity of the defect. A missing shingle or dirty air filter can be easily fixed at a low cost. However, if the defect is more extreme, such as a major foundation crack, wood-destroying organism infestation, or evidence of mold, you should find out how these problems can be addressed, and whether you can negotiate their cost with the seller. If it is determined after you move in that your home has a severe defect that wasn't reported by your InterNACHI® Certified Professional Inspector®, you should check to see if he or she participates in InterNACHI's "We'll Buy Your Home Back" Guarantee.
Our Home Inspection report describes the conditions found at the home at the time of the Home Inspection. It includes details of defects and an evaluation as to their seriousness and/or potential for safety, and advice on what further action should be taken. It does not offer specifics as to who should carry out repairs or remediation or who should bear their cost.
In order to give our clients complete peace of mind, we subscribe to InterNACHI's guarantee program and offer it to all of our clients.