If you have a home that needs to be taken care of, this is exactly what you should be doing – you should take care of it and keep up with the necessary maintenance. Taking care of your home means that living in it will be much more enjoyable, and you won’t have as many costly unforeseen problems to deal with when something goes wrong.
Why should I get a home inspection?
A home inspection is just like a health checkup is to the body. You check your home’s systems and components to make sure everything is in good working order. Just like with your health inspection, you can avoid it and just wait until something goes wrong, but often an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits of incorporating a regular home maintenance inspection into your home’s schedule below:
- Maintenance inspections can detect problems early on
Often you don’t realize that something can go catastrophically wrong until it’s too late. Your roof is leaking, outdated pipes are bursting, or an uncontrolled termite infestation is causing costly structural damage. A regular home inspection can help you nip many home problems in the bud, which can save you a lot of money in the future. And even before you have to face serious repair costs, a home inspection can save you more money than you think. For example, if your electrical wiring is outdated or you have a leaky faucet, you could be losing hundreds on utilities every year. A regular inspection can help you identify flaws in your home’s systems that can easily accumulate.
- Safety and peace of mind
By developing the habit of scheduling regular maintenance checks, you can ensure that your property is kept in good condition and safe for you and your family.
What is a home condition inspection?
Typically, a home condition inspection is performed by a professional home inspector who examines the entire structure, components, and systems of the property to find anything that may need to be replaced or repaired. Things to look out for include:
- Roof, attic
- Basement and foundation
- Walls, floors and ceilings
- Windows
- HVAC system
- Water supply and sewerage
- Electrical system
- Fireplace
- House exterior
How often should I get a home inspection?
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), homeowners should have their homes inspected annually . And if that seems too frequent to you, try at least ordering a maintenance inspection every three to five years.
Conclusion
By having your property inspected every year or two, you’ll likely be able to spot any problems before they become a money pit or worse, a potentially dangerous situation for your family. While you may think of it as something that only happens during the home buying process, a home inspection is an important part of permanent home ownership. A maintenance inspection is a great way to make sure everything in your property is in excellent condition so you can enjoy your home for years to come.
