What is a Home Inspection?

That is a good question….

Many people believe that a home inspection is a guarantee or warranty of the property in question

….that is simply not true.

A Home inspection is simply a unbiased professional opinion of the condition of the property at the time of the inspection…

A Home Inspector is similar to a family doctor. You go to your family doctor and he checks you out. He knows a lot about your body (much more than you) but he isn’t an “expert” on anything in particular. So if he finds something wrong with your heart he would send you to an expert in the heart, a cardiologist. He doesn’t do any real invasive testing. A home inspector is the same way.

He knows a lot about home systems but is not an expert in any one system. If he sees a problem with the foundation, roof, electrical or plumbing systems he will direct you to seek an expert in that particular system...a roofer, electrician, or plumber, etc.
 

A home inspection is a visual examination of the property on the day of the inspection.

It is not an exhaustive engineering study. Inspectors don’t take things apart or damage them to find out if they are okay. Based on visual observations the inspector usually can tell if the system is operating properly or not.

A home inspection should take at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The larger the house the longer it will take. If your inspector is running through your house in less time, then you are not getting a quality inspection.

At the end of each inspection we take the time to explain, page by page, our report and its findings….this typically takes 10 to 15 minutes and is time well spent by the client.

WE can also email the report or provide a web address where you can access your report on the internet with a password.
 

….And finally,

a home inspection is an opportunity for you to find out
important facts about the home that can be helpful once you move in- so ask lots of questions while your inspector is there!.
 

Send mail to jamersereau@hotmail.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2008 JA Mersereau & Associates, Inc.
Last modified: 04/02/08