Home Inspection FAQ
At Dream Home Inspection LLC we’ve been providing inspections to Central Florida homeowners and business owners since 2004. We’re known throughout Eastern Central Florida for our professionalism, top-rated inspections, and exceptional customer service. In the time that we’ve completed over 18,000 inspections, our team has come to notice the most commonly asked questions homeowners and business owners have about inspections. Here are our answers:
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is an examination of the physical structure and systems of a house—from the foundation to the roof.
What does a home inspector look for?
Our home inspectors assess the conditions of a home’s:
- Grounds Around the Property (driveway, front porch, etc.)
- Roof, Attic, & Ventilation (skylights, roof structure, etc.)
- Structure & Exterior Features (foundation, wall structure, etc.)
- Garage (windows, ceiling, floor, garage door, etc.)
- Interior (windows, ceilings, floors, walls, etc.)
- Plumbing (main hot water, water distribution systems, etc.)
- Electrical (electrical panels and wiring, outlets, etc.)
- Heating & Cooling (HVAC equipment, distribution system, etc.)
- Built-In Appliances (refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, etc.)
- Irrigation System (sprinkler heads)
In addition to a standard inspection, we can also inspect a home for:
- Wood Destroying Organisms (termites, wood decay fungi, etc.)
- 4-Point Inspection (required by some insurance companies)
- Wind Mitigation (required by some insurance companies)
Check out our sample inspection report for more details on what your home inspector will be looking for.
Why do I need a home inspection?
Buying a home is the likely the largest single investment you will make in your lifetime. Before you buy a home, you’ll want to know as much as possible about the structure, premises, and systems of the house—even if it’s newly constructed, and especially if it’s not. A home inspection can bring to light the need for major repairs, builder oversights, or general maintenance. If you skip an inspection, you run the risk of having these issues cause unpleasant and costly surprises in the future.
If you already own a home, a home inspection can still identify existing problems and provide suggestions for how you can prevent or reduce costly future repairs.
Ready to move? Even if you decide to sell 5, 10, or 20 years from now, your current home will become an asset that will help you purchase your next home. With proper maintenance, you can not only prevent costly future repairs, but list a home that is in good shape and get a higher asking price because of it.
I know my house inside and out. Why can’t I inspect it myself?
A professional home inspector has certain knowledge and expertise that even the most experienced homeowner lacks. Our inspectors know the ins and outs of home construction, proper installations, home safety, and home maintenance. We know how your home’s systems should function together and why they fail.
But in addition to knowledge and expertise, most homeowners and home buyers have an emotional attachment to their home or the home they really want to buy, which can affect their judgement and ability to remain objective in the face of real issues with the home. To get the most accurate information about a house, it’s best to receive an impartial third-party opinion from a professional home inspector.
How long does a home inspection take?
A home inspection typically takes between 2-3 hours, but this may vary greatly depending on the size of your home and any additional services that you add to your inspection.
How much does a home inspection cost?
The cost of a home inspection depends on the size of your home, age of your home, and any additional services you have added to your inspection. You can find a full list of our home inspection costs in our fee schedule. We offer home inspection deals for our neighborhood heroes, including police officers, firefighters, first responders, active military, veterans, and teachers.
If you’ve already had a home inspection with us, you can schedule a Dream Home Annual Checkup one year after your home inspection (or annually). During your Dream Home Annual Checkup, our inspectors will reinspect your home, uncover any issues that may have developed in the past year, and recommend ideal solutions you can use to ensure your home remains safe for you and your family.
Should I get a home inspection before selling my house?
Yes! A pre-listing inspection can provide a host of benefits for sellers. Since an inspection will reveal what is and isn’t wrong with your house, positive inspection results can help you identify the right asking price for your house and instill confidence in your potential buyers, increasing your chances of selling your home fast. If your home inspection reveals the need for certain repairs, you can decide whether you want to make those repairs and have your home reinspected before listing it on the market, or be willing to adjust your asking price accordingly.
Who pays for home inspection costs when you’re selling a home?
Sometimes referred to as the “buyer’s inspection,” the home buyer typically pays for a home inspection when they’re buying a home since this inspection serves to protect them. However, a pre-listing inspection—which can help a seller increase their chances of selling their home quickly and for the asking price they want—would be at the cost of the seller.
An inspection report has the potential to change a buyer’s willingness to purchase a home at the seller’s asking price—or, if major repairs are needed, their willingness to purchase a home at all. A pre-listing inspection can help a seller decide to make repairs before listing their home for sale or determine the lowest amount they’re willing to accept if a home buyer asks for a lower price due to necessary repairs.
Can a house fail a home inspection?
No. A house cannot fail a home inspection, and most mortgage lenders do not require an inspection to approve a home loan. However, they may recommend an inspection since a home inspection can reveal the difference between needing minor repairs over the next 5 to 10 years and needing to spend tens of thousands of dollars replacing the A/C, fixing faulty plumbing, and addressing foundational issues with the home.
What do I do if the inspection report reveals problems?
If you’re considering buying a home, remember that no house is perfect. The inspection report only provides information on what you can expect to be wrong with the home if you do decide to buy it. If the problems are major and you really like the house, you can ask the seller to make repairs as part of your home sale contingency. If the problems are minor and your budget (and time) will allow you to complete the necessary future repair work, you can see if the seller will lower the price a bit to compensate for the issues, or decide to purchase it as is at your agreed upon price.
If you’re a homeowner having an inspection done on a home you’re intending to stay in, you can use your inspection report as guidance for planning what repairs you’ll need to do on your home in the future, and how soon they should be done.
If the house was in good condition, did I really need an inspection?
Yes. If you’re selling a home, a pre-listing inspection with entirely positive results can help you sell your home faster and reduce the need to lower your price for the sale. If you’re buying a home, a positive inspection will provide peace of mind that the home you’re buying is not only in good condition, but should not need any costly major repairs soon after you move in.
I have a commercial property. Can you inspect that?
Absolutely! We inspect commercial properties of all kinds. Visit our Central Florida Commercial Inspection page for more information on our commercial inspections.
What is InterNACHI and why should I care if my inspector is certified?
InterNACHI is the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. They have their own standards of practice for residential and commercial inspections, as well as a code of ethics for home inspectors and a yearly requirement of continued home inspection education in order to remain InterNACHI Certified.
Having an InterNACHI Certified home inspector can provide even more peace of mind because you can be certain that you have a highly qualified and knowledgeable inspector assessing the condition of your home. That means no oversights, no fake issues, and no nonsense.
What parts of Florida do you provide home and commercial inspections to?
We provide home and commercial inspections throughout Eastern Central Florida, including:
How do I schedule an inspection?
Scheduling a Dream Home Inspection is easy. Simply fill out our online contact form or call our friendly and experienced Daytona Beach home inspection team at 386-383-3270.