Have a home inspection before buying or selling
Why would you want to pay for a home inspection? Good question. The answer is that a home inspection will help buyers uncover faults in a home before they decide to purchase. For sellers, a home inspection carried out before the home goes on the market will avoid unexpected delays, costs or annulment after an agreement has been reached.
If you are a buyer, include a clause in the purchase contract, making the purchase of the property subject to the results of a professional home inspection. Identify who will be responsible for the cost of repairs or replacement needs that are discovered by the inspector.
Look through your local telephone directory for listings in your area of professional home inspectors. Be sure to select one who is a member of the Home Inspectors Association. Alternatively, contact a local real estate agent who can point you in the right direction. Don't allow your desire to purchase a particular property override the good sense of having a home inspection done.
Make an appointment with the inspector you have decided on immediately after the purchase agreement has been signed. Arrange the inspection for a time when you can go through the home with the inspector; this way you will fully understand the findings.
You can expect to pay anywhere in the region of £40 - £60 for the inspection, however, costs vary with geographic location, the size of the house and the experience of the inspector. The inspector should test the built-in appliances, heating and cooling systems, all electrical outlets, windows, alarms, sprinklers, showers, sinks, baths and toilets. As a seller, you may want to limit the amount of work you pay for or agree to do.
Remember, though, that an inspection is not an evaluation, and market value has nothing to do with the findings.
For properties built before 1978, it would pay to have a test done for lead paint.
It should take at least two hours for a thorough home inspection to be performed.