I’m going to walk you through the top 10 things that you should expect before your home inspection. These will help you prepare and know what to do when it’s time for your inspection so that you can get a clear picture of how well-maintained your property is.
1. Confirm Your Appointment
The first thing to do is to confirm your appointment with the home inspector. It may be a good idea to contact them as far ahead as possible because weekends and holidays book up quickly. You should also check that they’re available on the date that you want, which is usually set much further in advance than the inspection itself. This will ensure that there isn’t any conflict and you won’t have wasted time looking for another company to do it at an inconvenient time or place for them.
2. Prepare Your Home For The Inspection
If your home was recently remodeled or renovated, make sure there’s nothing left lying around such as screws and nails (even if covered) and any cans are sealed tightly after use. You should clean up any messes you’ve made, such as paint spills and dusted windowsills. If the home has been vacant for some time, it’s helpful to hire a cleaning company to help remove dust and other forms of grime that might mislead the inspector into believing that something is wrong with it or just wasn’t kept up very well.
3. Remove Pets From The Property
It will be difficult for the inspector if there are animals in the house because they can damage things, including woodwork and furniture. They may also disrupt their work by getting too close to them when they’re trying to look at certain features of your property, which can result in an inaccurate assessment of both your pet and whatever its inspecting. If you need help finding a place for them to stay while you do the inspection, try asking friends and family if it’s an option for them.
4. Have All Utilities Off
This includes gas and electricity, which means that none of your appliances should be in use. If the water is on, run all faucets and flush any toilets until it runs out into a clear container (not a toilet bowl) so they can see if anything unusual occurs with its color or content along with how well it flows from the source. These factors will help them determine whether there are any leaks or obstructions causing problems with its delivery to various parts of your home.
5. Get It Ready For A Thorough Examination
Heating and cooling systems can release dust, which is why it’s a good idea to turn them on at the very least for several hours prior to your home inspection. Furnace fans should be set on “auto” while air conditioners should be set to blow out hot air. This will also help you see if there are any problems with your heating and cooling system, including damaged parts that need replacing or a lack of general maintenance.
6. Clean Windows And Screens
It may seem trivial but exterior windows and screens shouldn’t have any debris on them, which includes dirt along with anything stuck in between the screen’s wires such as insects or twigs from trees near your house. These things can cause dirty streaks throughout an inspection, so make sure both are clear of obstructions.
7. Remove Any Decorative Plants And Flowers
It’s usually a good idea to remove any decorative plants and flowers because they can be damaged during the inspection process if they’re within close proximity to generators or other equipment, such as furnaces and water heaters which produce high amounts of humidity and condensation that can cause their leaves and stems to rot, become discolored, or even burst from too much moisture exposure.
8. Make Sure The House Is Completely Empty
All furniture, appliances, decorations, electronics (including cell phones), personal items such as clothes and toiletries should all be removed from closets and cabinets so that everything is visible for the. This ensures you’ll get the most accurate results because it eliminates any potential distractions or areas that could lead to the inspector missing an issue. If you accidentally left something out, then inform your home inspection company immediately so they can provide you with a list of things to remove before they arrive for their appointment.
9. Ensure The Property Is Accessible To Everyone
You must be able to gain access to every room in your property, including closets and any attic spaces if there are separate stairs leading up into them from inside your home. You need unrestricted movement throughout the entire house because inspectors usually make note of any rooms that are off limits during the inspection process due to improper entry procedures. They’ll also be able to determine whether some rooms have been remodeled since others were last inspected.
10. Provide A Floor Plan And A List Of Accessible Utilities
To ensure an inspector has all of the information they need, give them a floor plan along with a list of any utilities that are accessible from inside your home, including gas lines, electrical wiring and distribution systems, water distribution systems (pipes), any sewer system access points (such as for toilets or sinks), heating and cooling distribution systems, fireplaces with chimneys attached to yours or adjoining properties, hot tubs and pools (including filtration equipment), and any electrical panels located on the property. This ensures you’ll save time because they won’t have to repeatedly ask you questions about your property’s features along with avoiding any potential damage due to unforeseen circumstances that are based on your home’s access points.
