Whole home inspections provide an in-depth analysis of a home’s structures, systems, and fixtures, as well as relevant information about the property.
These inspections are the standard in real estate sales transactions because they give prospective owners a realistic picture of the overall home condition so they can make informed choices and negotiate the best deals with the seller.
Homeowners also benefit from a home inspection if they’ve recently inherited a home or have not performed routine maintenance or improvements for several years.
Understanding Whole Home Inspections Step-by-Step
Our Inter-NACHI home inspectors can schedule your inspection within three days or less after your initial contact and guarantee a 24-hour return on the final inspection report.
Here is a step-by-step outline of what we examine when performing whole home inspections from the ground up.
1. Foundation, Grading, & Drainage
Lot grading and drainage are something most homeowners don’t think about until obvious issues rear their ugly heads. However, inadequate grading and drainage can do significant damage that undermines the home’s foundation or leads to significant moisture issues.
We’ll look for any signs that water isn’t draining properly around the home, with particular attention to the foundation. Once a foundation is compromised, the entire structure is at risk, and these repairs can be exceptionally costly.
2. Exterior Features
Sellers do all kinds of cosmetic things to boost a home’s “curb appeal,” but these fixes can hide a multitude of critical issues. Our inspection of the exterior of the home evaluates the condition or necessary maintenance associated with the following:
- That the home and its exterior structures and features are square/plumb.
- The condition of the siding/stucco/masonry
- Status of the driveway, sidewalk, and related walkways.
- Exterior doors
- Windows
- Decks and patios
- Condition of exterior paint or wood stain
- Lighting fixtures
- Any other red flags we notice on our walkabout
3. The Roof
Like the foundation, the integrity of a building’s roof is essential, or the rest of the house’s structures and systems are at risk.
We’ll inspect the roof from the ground as well as on top, looking at:
- Installation
- Age and status of roofing materials to determine it’s lifespan
- Soffits
- Vents
- Penetrations
- Chimney
- Roof slope (roof slope affects wind mitigation – more on that below)
- Evidence of leaks or other damage
- Etc.
When looking for homes, remember that Florida home insurance companies will not insure homes with roofs 15 years old or older, and rates may be significantly higher for roofs 10 years old or older.
The Attic
The roof and attic are partners when it comes to whole-home energy efficiency, comfort, and humidity balance. We’ll access the attic to evaluate:
- Insulation quantity and quality
- Ventilation
- Framing
- Whether there are any “ringers” or nails that penetrated from the roof foundation (leak potential)
- Visible signs of damage or issues with equipment in the attic (ducts, pipes, wires, etc.)
- Evidence of mold, mildew, or water/moisture damage.
- Pest infestations.
Critical Home Systems
During the inspection, we’ll evaluate the conditions and maintenance history (if available) of three critical home systems: HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.
- HVAC: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVACs) work hard in our warm, humid climate and require annual maintenance. They are also among the most expensive home systems to replace. We’ll inspect every significant component of your home’s HVAC systems and provide relevant recommendations for necessary maintenance, replacement, or repairs.
- Electrical: Outdated, damaged, or malfunctioning electrical panels, wiring, and fixtures are a leading cause of residential fires. We’ll let you know if the building’s electrical systems are code-compliant. If not, we’ll recommend what’s needed to bring them up to current standards.
- Plumbing: The plumbing system is another major contributor to expensive repair issues. Our inspection will evaluate everything from outdated plumbing materials (cast iron pipes, for example) to latent leaks that have gone unnoticed. We’ll also test the faucet function and drainage from all the sinks, toilets, tubs, and showers.
In addition to the roof, these three systems are so crucial that lenders and homeowner’s insurance companies often require a 4-Point inspection report before they insure a home or provide more competitive rates.
Interior Home Features
Finally, we perform a general inspection of the interior features. This includes testing all appliances (or noting any missing appliances), ensuring interior doors are plumb, testing lighting fixtures, and noting any issues we notice.
This may include a musty smell indicative of mold (and the suspected source), evidence of pest damage, cracks in the walls, and the condition of the flooring.
Depending on what we notice during our exterior and interior walk-thru, we may recommend adding specialty inspections to get more detailed information.
Schedule a Whole Home Inspection With SIP
Super Inspection Pros (SIP) provides objective, accurate, and detailed home inspection reports that homeowners and real estate professionals can rely on.
Contact us to book a home inspection and learn more about the integrity of your home’s structures and systems.
