Square One Home Inspection
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Home Inspections for Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Ripon, Waupun, and Beaver Dam Areas
Home Inspection Services
The Buyers’ Home Inspection
The most popular type of home inspection is called a buyers’ home inspection. This type of home inspection is usually part of your Real Estate transaction. When you are negotiating on price and other contingencies, you need to include a whole-house inspection in your offer. It is also a good idea to get other testing listed here as well. You may want a few specialty inspections included, such as water testing, radon gas testing, things of that nature. If these are not in your sales agreement, you may not be allowed to test for these items, but should still have them done after closing.
During this inspection, your inspector will provide an inspection report detailing any major defects found in the home at the time of the home inspection. Major defects may include damaged trusses, or broken waste lines for the plumbing system. Minor cosmetic items may not be reported, such as peeling paint. Your home inspector may also list safety upgrades as part of the inspection report. Home inspectors are NOT code inspectors. With that in mind, your home inspector may recommend upgrading some electrical outlets for safety sake. This is not a requirement, your home will be fine without them, it is just a recommendation and not a MAJOR item that needs to be taken care of before closing. Remember, keep things in perspective.
Sellers’ or Pre-Listing Home Inspection
This is a home inspection that is rapidly becoming the norm for any home seller. A pre-listing inspection can help you and your Real Estate agent when it comes to full disclosure. Pre-Listing inspections are whole-house inspections done BEFORE you put your house on the market.
During this type of home inspection, the home inspector will report any MAJOR defects found throughout the home. The home inspection report will describe in detail the defects and recommendations. These recommendations and defects can then be addressed before you sell your home. By addressing these issues found during this home inspection, you have the upper hand in the Real Estate transaction. You may choose to fix or repair these items or allow for them in your market pricing of the home. Once you have found a buyer for your home, they may still get another home inspection, but you will not be surprised by their findings, nor have to renegotiate because of a found defect.
New Construction Home Inspection
I get one question asked to me a lot. “Our house is brand new, never been lived in, why do we need a home inspection?” My answer to this is very simple, contractors are people just like the rest of us. People make mistakes. That is why it is very important to have a home inspection performed before closing on you brand new home.
Most people don’t understand construction methods, because they don’t need to. A home inspector looks at homes everyday and is knowledgeable on the latest building practices and operating procedures. This will ensure that your new home is ready to go when you move in.
This home inspection, like the others, is a whole house inspection. The home inspector will look for major defects throughout the home and issue a home inspection report. If major issues are found you may present them to the builder and have them taken care of before closing on your new home.
Warranty Home Inspections
If you have purchased a brand new home, chances are you received a builders’ warranty. These warranties are usually one or two years. It is important that you know how long this is. By knowing this, you can have an inspection performed before your warranty expires. If any major defects are found, you have time to present them to your builder and have tem repaired.
When you purchase a brand new home, this is one of the most important services to have done. Many times, defects will not present themselves until a new home has been ‘lived’ in. Once all the systems are in operation, defects may appear that were not readily visible during construction or before closing. It is very important to have a home inspection performed about 10 or 11 months after your purchase. This will ensure that items that may not have been visible before the house was ‘lived in’ are now reported in the home inspection report and can be addressed by the builder before the warranty has expired.
Home Maintenance Inspections
This type of home inspection is performed for a homeowner that is not buying or selling. During this home inspection, the inspector will point out items that need to be maintained on a regular basis. The home inspector may also find major defects and report those as well.
This type of home inspection is a good idea if you are looking to get your home in peak shape, and is a great way to build a master plan for energy efficiency or future remodeling plans. By having this home inspection performed, you will gain the knowledge for proper maintenance and upkeep of your home for all seasons. You will also be one step ahead if you decide to sell your home in the future. Buyers will see the care you have taken and know the home has been well taken care of.
Renters’ Home Inspection
Renters’ home inspections are a little different from a standard home inspection. Many times we are limited to the amount of inspecting we can actually do. This inspection can help point out safety issues in the property for you and your family. It also serves as a safety note so to speak. This type of inspection will document the condition of the property before moving in. Having this done by a third party will help in the process of the return of a security deposit in many cases.
Home Inspectors are licensed in the state of Wisconsin. Please make sure that your home inspector is licensed.
Interview your home inspector before hiring them. Ask questions, make sure you are getting what you pay for. There are many different prices for inspections, don’t choose on price alone. Make sure you are getting the service you need and deserve.
Call Square One Home Inspection today at 920-251-3504
