This is a question we get a lot, and the answer is yes. Unless you plan on completely razing the home, it is always a good idea to have your home inspected. An inspection tells you what you are working with – you will know whether you want to spend the extra money on necessary repairs. A formal home inspection also lends the buyer more negotiating power when working with the seller.

Absolutely. More often than not, new homes have a number of defects, including faulty sewer lines, defective appliances, or damaged finishing. If you are purchasing a newly constructed home, this will be one of your only opportunities to correct the issues before you move in. Any time you are purchasing a home, you should have it inspected. If you know the name of the company that has built the home you want to buy, check their reviews online from other buyers. This can give you an idea of what things to pay attention to for the walk-through before you take possession of the house.

An inspection for a standard home (1500-2800 square feet) will take 2-3 hours.
If you asked for additional services, this can push the time closer to the 3-hour mark. 

Typically, inspectors inspect the home, the systems it contains, and the things that are physically attached to the house – balconies, decks, garages, and so forth. It depends completely on the inspection company, whether or not they will inspect other out buildings or detached structures. Fences are outside the Washington standards of practice for home inspectors, and it is unlikely fences will be included unless your inspector sees an obvious defect or a hazard to physical safety.

The best thing to do is to speak with your inspector and let them know about any of your concerns, and then work out how you want them addressed. At Pierce County Home Inspection, your inspector will work with you to find a solution.

For small defects, your inspector may propose a fix. However, with larger defects there are a number of legal restrictions on what a home inspector can say or recommend. In a number of cases making a referral to a licensed professional specializing in that home system is all they are permitted to do. You can think of a home inspector as being similar to a general physician; when they suspect a problem, they will refer you to a specialist in that field and allow the specialist to confirm the issue and suggest treatment.

It depends on the type of pest. If an animal like a raccoon, snake, opossum, or bird has taken up residence in your attic, basement or crawlspace, you will need to call animal control or an exterminator. In the event that multiple rats, mice, or similar animals are in your home, then this is a task for an exterminator.

If you think that you have carpenter bees or ants, wood destroying beetles, or termites, then this is work for a structural pest inspector. Structural pest inspectors are licensed to inspect for and identify Wood Destroying Organisms, like the beetles and insects listed previously. Some home inspectors, in addition to having a home inspector license, are also licensed as structural pest inspectors.

If you know a particular system in your house is having an issue (roofing, heating ventilation or air conditioning HVAC, foundation, siding, plumbing, etc.), then just skip the inspector and call a contractor in the appropriate field. If you want most or all of your entire house looked over, then it may be more appropriate to call a home inspector.

Many contractors will give free estimates, free diagnostics, or free consultations before they complete the work so you may get a better idea of what is going on before you open your pocketbook. Please note that for a home inspector, a similar diagnostic is their primary work, so you will be charged. Furthermore, home inspectors in Washington State are not allowed to work on a home they have inspected until at least 12 months have passed.

Let’s start with another question: how well could someone perform the duties of your job after reading about it for a few hours and then going out and trying, considering they have little to no practice? While they may be able to do your job in some capacity, the chances aren’t high they would do it well. It’s like asking family to take photos of your wedding rather than hiring a trained photographer. The result may be adequate, but it almost certainly won’t match the caliber of a trained professional, and you may overlook defects in your home.

It is also important to note that negotiation with the seller will be much harder without an official inspection report.

Most inspection reports are available within 48 hours of completing the inspection. At Pierce County Home Inspection, our reports are available no later than noon the day following the inspection.

This can depend on your particular inspector, but by and large, most inspectors will be open to follow-up support after the inspection is complete and you have the report. At Pierce County Home Inspection, we are happy to recommend a contractor when needed and will speak with them about findings in the report.

There are a good number that will. Our team at Pierce County Home Inspection is often available for weekend and short-notice inspections.