A question that we often get asked is, "What does a home inspector do?" As the owner of a Pillar To Post franchise, you will need to be able to answer that question and several others that your clients will ask.
Being able to answer these questions succinctly and confidently will set you apart in the industry:
- What is a home inspector?
- Why do I need a home inspection?
- What does a home inspector look for?
- What happens if you find issues?
Continue reading to learn more about our industry and the work you will be doing as a home inspector.
Question 1: What Is a Home Inspector?
The question "what is a home inspector" usually goes hand in hand with the question "what does a home inspector do?" A home inspector uses specific knowledge and training to inspect the structure of a home and all of the key systems and components. A Pillar To Post home inspector uses their training and technology to find potential problems in a home and document them in a report for each customer.
Question 2: Why Do I Need a Home Inspection?
Clients often ask this question because they want to know what value they will get for their money.
Before making an investment, you want to know as much as possible about whatever you are investing in. The same applies to investing in a new home, and a home inspection can give valuable information to a home buyer. A home inspection is necessary because it gives you a better understanding of the building you are about to purchase. The home inspection can save you from buying a home that requires extensive repairs that you didn't know about.
Question 3: What Does a Home Inspector Typically Look For?
A home inspector is looking for flaws or problems with the structures and major systems of the home. This can include code violations, poor construction, or wear and tear. It is important to remind clients that a home inspection is thorough but not perfect. There may be faults with the home that are not visible to the inspector for a variety of reasons.
Some of the most common problems found during a home inspection include:
- Poor storm drainage, with potential to cause damage or water entry
- Roof problems
- Water leaks
- Electrical problems
- Foundation cracks
Home inspectors look for signs of these common problems as well as many other flaws.
Sample of Inspected Items
Pillar To Post home inspectors check over 600 items in the home on a standard inspection, ensuring a thorough check of the entire structure. Each inspector follows a checklist designed to be thorough and efficient.
Here is a big picture overview of what gets inspected in a typical home inspection.
- Structure - floors, ceilings, walls, foundation, and roof
- Exterior - landscaping, grading, drainage, wall covering, sidewalks, driveways, trim, doors, windows, and lights
- Roof and attic - walkways, roof surface, type of roof construction, gutters, framing, and ventilation
- Plumbing - distribution pipes, condition of toilets, showers, sinks, faucets, and traps; pipes used for potable and waste water, and vent pipes; water heater
- Heating and air conditioning - furnace, air handler, AC condenser, venting, ducting
- Electrical - main panel, type of wiring, circuit breakers, grounding, receptacles, and electrical fixtures
- Appliances - range and oven, garbage disposal, dishwasher, and smoke detectors
- Garage - walls, slab, ceiling, entry, garage door, opener, receptacles, exterior, lights, windows, and roof
Question 4: What Happens If a Home Inspection Finds Issues?
In conjunction with the question, "What does a home inspector do?" your customers want to know what happens if you do find issues with the home. The findings of the home inspection are documented in a comprehensive report for the customer. Our goal is to inform.
If the home inspection does uncover issues, what happens next depends on the specifics of the real estate transaction. While the home inspector is not involved in negotiations, the inspection report can help inform the next steps. A few possible outcomes include:
- The customer buys the house anyway, armed with the knowledge of what needs to be done
- The buyer and seller renegotiate the transaction to cover some or all of the cost to correct the issues
- The customer chooses to cancel the transaction and look for another house
There are a number of outcomes if the home inspection finds any problems with the home. The important thing is that the home inspection lets both buyer and seller know the condition of the home. This helps both parties make an informed decision.
Pillar To Post home inspectors make a huge difference in the home buying process in the communities where we work. If you want to help people as they make the life-changing decision to buy a home, contact us! We are actively looking for new franchisees all over North America.