The following is a quick overview of the Vermont home inspection process. Contact Dave Chenette or call 802-264-1991 with any questions or for a tour of Chittenden Vermont real estate.
Why do a Vermont home inspection?
Home inspections should be considered a regular part of the home buying process, and yet many people still wonder, “Why do an inspection?”. Consider, though, that buying a home is what most people consider to be their biggest lifetime investment. It is important to get a good history of the home before committing to the purchase. That is what the inspection is about—finding out what isn’t obvious when you first look at a house. Think of a home inspection as a form of protection for your new home purchase and money well spent.
To clarify, home inspections don’t just look at big ticket items. The home inspection should be considered a road map for future repairs and/or maintenance problems, large and small, that could come up. It is an educational process that will show you what you can do proactively to help prevent future issues.
Choosing Among VT home inspectors
You might know someone who is a great carpenter, let’s say your Uncle Charlie, who may or may not be a good home inspector. Rather than take a chance on that, it is best to go with a professional home inspector who is familiar with all of the guidelines. A good home inspector will also provide a detailed written report that can be used for reference elsewhere in your home buying process. To find a decent home inspector, start by talking to friends who have purchased homes recently and have direct experience. Your real estate agent can also give you names of several local reputable inspectors. You can generally expect to spend between $300-$450 for general home inspection.
What a VT home inspector will inspect
A general inspection involves, among other smaller areas, looking at the foundation, wiring, plumbing, heating /cooling system, chimney/fireplace, appliance inspection, siding, windows, doors, roof, exterior grading and landscaping. There may be some special areas to consider within a particular location, circumstance, or just general concern. Areas that some home inspectors will look at for an additional fee include water quality, radon in the air, radon in the water, and lead paint. Another area to consider is the sewer. If not on a municipal sewer, you may want to have the septic tank and septic leach field inspected by a septic company. If not on municipal water, you may also want to consult with a well company in regards to well capacity and flow rates.
When to order the VT home inspection
In general you want to have a home inspection done first thing after you agree on a price with the seller. It is usually done within 10 days in order to get this aspect of the process out of the way in the beginning of the deal, before you start spending money on appraisals and legal work. Although home inspectors can go through busy periods, most home inspectors can schedule you within a few days of calling.
How long Vermont home inspections take and who goes
Most often only the buyer, and Realtor, and inspector are present for the inspection. It’s best not to have children with you so you can concentrate on learning about the home. The average inspection will take between 2 and 4 hours. If you choose to hire additional inspections such as for the septic or well, these would usually be done a few days later, if you are satisfied with the general inspection, so that you don’t incur unnecessary costs.
Finding Home Inspection Issues
Generally, if the inspection is not to the buyer’s satisfaction, they don’t have to purchase the house. If issues are found, it’s up to the seller whether they would like to make any concessions based on problems found. Often this is determined by what the agreed sale price was, whether all parties knew about certain defects as part of the negotiations, and whether the items found will affect the financability of the home. Some issues may require having a contractor, electrician, roofer, plumber, etc, to come out for further investigation. This may require asking the seller for an extension to the inspection period.