I Got My Home Inspection Report Back, Now What?
Getting a home inspection done is an excellent first step, but now you have been handed an overwhelming report with technical language that you need to decipher to make decisions. Whether you are a home buyer, seller, or just an owner trying to check the state of your home’s health, learning how to read a home inspection report is essential.
The Summary is Your Friend
Each inspection report will come with a summary of the inspection at the top. This will include any major issues that your inspector found, and it is an excellent place for you to begin. The summary will give you a general idea of what the rest of the report will include, and can help make it feel manageable.
The summary is a wonderful tool to get you started, but don’t forget to read the rest of the inspection report. At the end of this blog, you will know exactly how to read a home inspection report with confidence!
The Stoplight System
This is exactly what it sounds like. Your inspection report will most likely be color-coded when you receive it: green is good, blue is a small issue, yellow is a medium issue, and red indicates a serious issue. Focus on the red areas first, as these are the most time-sensitive and important issues. For example, if your roof has a serious leak, the sooner you can get it fixed, the less damage it will cause.
When you are done addressing the red issues, move on to the yellow ones. This might look something like a hot water heater that is past its prime and needs to be replaced within 6 months. Breaking down the issues by order of severity will make fixing the problems much more manageable.
Big Hitters
There are some issues that a home inspection report may turn up that are extremely expensive. These issues include things like:
- The home needs a new roof
- Structural damage
- Foundational damage
- The AC/heat systems are nearing their end-of-life
- Mold problems
These issues may make or break the sale of your house, or if you are purchasing a house, may need to be included in negotiations to be fixed prior to sale, so you aren’t left shouldering the cost on your own.
Okay, I Know What the Problems Are. Now What?
The good news is that knowing your issue is half the battle! The bad news is that now you need to win the war. This is best done by breaking it down into manageable steps. Step one: decide what kind of service you need. If your roof has a leak, you need to call a roofing company; if your toilet is leaking, you need to call a plumber, etc. Thankfully, step one is usually very simple. Step two: call around some well-rated companies and see who will come do free estimates and who charges a fee for estimating. Charging a fee is not a dealbreaker and is pretty common in the trades, but it is good to be aware of it.
Step three is to take your estimates and see which one fits your budget best. There is some leeway in step three, as companies will often price-match competitors, so don’t be afraid to reach back out and try to get a better deal! Step 4: Book your service and let the professionals do what they do best and repair your home!
Ask Your Home Inspector!
If you really are having trouble understanding your inspection results, don’t worry! You can always call your home inspector and ask for clarification. It is helpful to get input from the person who did the inspection if you don’t quite understand the wording or are not sure what your next steps should be. Your home inspector will be more than happy to point you in the right direction, and often, they may have some suggestions for local businesses that can do the repairs that you need to get done.
Confidently Prepared
Now that you are empowered with the confidence that you can successfully interpret your home inspection report, go ahead and schedule one today!