3 Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector During the Home Inspection

One of the most important parts of buying a home is the general home inspection. You want to do your due diligence in learning everything you can about the home, good bad or otherwise, and a great home inspector can give you a ton of insight on what you’re getting yourself into. To make the most out of your home inspection, I’m sharing 3 questions you’ll want to ask your inspector.

Big thanks to Rich Legrand at Alliance Property Inspections for letting me pick your brain about this important topics, and for helping educate our clients during their home purchases!

[Quick disclaimer, here. There are a lot of things your inspector can or can’t tell you - they are a general home inspector, so in that capacity, they aren’t acting as a specialist in any one thing. They have to remain unbiased and will deliver findings on a factual basis, so if you ask their personal opinion on any given items, they probably won’t be able to help you. Additionally, I work with home inspectors here in Arizona. Things might be a little different in your neck of the woods.]

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get down to it. 

1. Water Damage

   The first thing you’ll want to ask your home inspector is whether he saw any evidence of water damage, or the potential for it to occur. This can happen from leaks, clogged pipes or drainage lines, grading issues, and more. This is a big one because water damage can be catastrophic if left unchecked. Even a simple leak can cause a lot of issues relating to mold, structural compromise, you get the picture. Now, the inspector can’t do things like break a hole in the wall to see how the pipes are faring behind it, but a great home inspector will know to look in the right places and be able to tell you whether water damage has or could occur. 

2. Safety Issues

   Ask things like, what safety issues should I be aware of? For example, you’ll want to know if stair railings are secure and to code, and that major electrical components are brought up to current code and condition. If you have a pool, you’ll want to know any safety issues that could occur there, even down to whether appliances like a cooking range are secured to the wall to prevent tipping. A great inspector should be able to provide you with these important details. 

3. Components that are costly to repair

   What components of the home might require costly repairs? Again, a home inspector isn’t acting as an expert in any area of the home, but he can explain which major components could require a great deal of cost investment like an old roof, an air conditioning unit that’s nearing the end of it’s life expectancy, or a very old electrical panel that isn’t equipped to service a modern home. Your inspector might point out that these things could currently be functioning fine, and it’s simply something you’ll want to plan to save for to address in the future. 

Additional items to consider:

Structural Issues

• Understand the condition of the roof and whether the inspector noted any concerns or evidence of leaks (active or otherwise)

• Ask about any visual foundation problems or cracks from movement

• Identify possible grading issues that can lead to water intrusion

• Issues or damage to trusses/rafters/joists in the attic

Mechanical Systems

• HVAC - What type and size of unit should be disclosed, and you should understand the expected lifespan and current condition.

• Water Heater - same thing!

Safety Concerns to Be Aware Of

• Faulty wiring

• Smoke/Carbon Dioxide detectors

• Most house fires start in the garage! Ask about garage fire separation/doors to the home or attic

• Know whether there are auto sensors on garage doors (detects an object or person and keeps the door from closing down on it)

• Know whether there is an anti-tip device on the range/stove top if it’s a slide-in unit. (Example: kids can pull down the oven door to step up on it, which caused the unit to tilt and fall back on the child. Not good!)

Okay - those are just a few of the most common questions you’ll want to ask your home inspector.

Remember that a great real estate agent accompanies their clients to these inspections often as well, and will be able to help you navigate the inspection period so you have clarity on the current condition of the home you’re about to purchase. While it’s impossible to catch every little detail, you’ll want to avoid any surprises you can during your home purchase!

Any questions about best practices with your home inspection? Leave a comment below!

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We’re Bryce & Stefanie Lugo, award-winning husband and wife real estate duo in Phoenix, AZ. We are so glad you found us!