San Antonio Texas Home Inspection Checklist Comparisons

Home Inspection Checklist Comparisons

All home inspections are different and can vary dramatically from state to state, as well as across regions, counties and cities. Most depend upon the home inspector and which association, if any, to which the inspector belongs. Because I am most familiar with home inspections conducted in accordance with the standards of practice established by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the following information is based on NACHI guidelines.

Home Inspection Checklist of Items Not Inspected

In Texas, Home inspectors must be licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Home inspector requirements.  Evan Bair is licensed by TREC. Evan Bair has years of professional experience in construction, maintenance and home repair. However, a home inspector's standard practice typically does not include the following, for which a specific license to inspect and identify is required:

• Asbestos


• Radon, Methane, Radiation and Formaldehyde


• Wood-Destroying Organisms


• Mold, Mildew and Fungi


• Rodents

General Home Inspection Checklist Items

• Structural Elements.
  
  Construction of walls, ceilings, floors, roof and foundation.


• Exterior Evaluation.
  
  Wall covering, landscaping, grading, elevation, drainage, driveways, fences, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights and exterior receptacles.


• Roof and Attic.
  
  Framing, ventilation, type of roof construction, flashing and gutters. It does not include a guarantee of roof condition or a roof certification.


• Plumbing.
  
  Identification of pipe materials used for potable, drain, waste and vent pipes. Including the conditions of toilets, showers, sinks, faucets and traps. It does not include a sewer inspection.


• Systems and Components.
  
  Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duct work, chimney, fireplace and sprinklers.


• Electrical.
  
  Main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling fans and light fixtures.


• Appliances.
  
  Dishwasher, range and oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal washer and dryer hookups and smoke and CO2  detectors.


• Garage.
  
  Slab, walls, ceiling, vents, entry, firewall, garage door, openers, lights, receptacles, exterior, windows and roof.

Home Inspection Checklist Items Needing Service

Home inspection reports do not describe the condition of every component if it's in excellent shape, but should note every item that is defective or needing service. The serious problems are:

• Health and safety issues


• Roofs with a short life expectancy


• Furnace / A/C malfunctions


• Foundation deficiencies


• Moisture / drainage issues

A home inspection should allow a buyer or seller to be aware of problems and hazards before it’s too late. New construction home inspections give the buyer peace of mind that the builder built your future home properly.  Home inspections are an important step in protecting your investment.  Evan Bair can help save you money with a Texas home inspection.  Evan Bair is based in San Antonio, Texas.

Buying A Home

When you set out to buy a home, probably the largest purchase you will make, you want a number of things clearly settled in your own mind. These may include:

• Did I receive desired value for what I spent?
• What is the general condition of all the elements of the house?
• Was my inspector thorough in his inspection?
• Was my inspector knowledgeable? Truthful?
• What is the life expectancy of the various systems of the house?

Let me give you some important information about this last question regarding life expectancy. Did you know that oak or pine floors should last a lifetime? So, also, slate flagstone, terrazzo tile and marble. Carpeting should last up to 11 years, depending on traffic, carpet quality, pad quality and installation1.

I have seen wide pine floors in homes in the Eastern US that were 150 years old or more and still looked reasonably good. Check in tomorrow for further information on this and other Home Inspection Topics from “The Reliable Source”, Evan Bair, your hometown Inspector.