There are two questions that are asked often by potential home inspection clients. Number one is how long does it take to perform a home inspection? The answer to that question varies and much depends on the size of the home being inspected. Comprehensive home inspections take time, and they should never be rushed. Let’s take the example of a standard three bedroom two- and one-half bathroom home with a basement and a deck. The home inspection begins on the exterior of the home and this exterior portion of the home inspection typically takes about an hour to perform. When you consider all that must be inspected on the exterior of the home it makes sense. The New Jersey home inspector will inspect the driveway, walkways, porches, exterior grading, trees and landscaping, siding, trims, windows, gutters, downspouts, chimney, flashings, roofs, attached structures, detached structures, detached garages, decks, and patios. A home inspector is not just walking around the exterior of the home taking notes, he or she is carefully inspecting and considering the potential impact any negative exterior findings will have on the home. As the home inspector is inspecting these exterior components, he or she is documenting findings by taking notes and photos. The inspector also describes his or her findings to the client in an intelligent way, so the client understands the issues. All this takes time to do correctly. The last thing a home inspection client wants is a rushed home inspection.
If the exterior inspection on a standard size home takes about an hour how long does the balance of the home inspection take. The answer is about two hours. The time a comprehensive NJ home inspection takes from start to finish is about three to four hours. The next area is the basement inspection. The basement inspection is probably the most important aspect of the home inspection. The basement inspection will take about another hour to complete. There are so many components that must be inspected in the basement. To give you an example the electrical system, plumbing system, heating and air conditioning, main water line and cut off valves, beams, joists, foundation, structure, water control systems, and stairs. The basement inspection also includes the wood destroying insect inspection and mold inspections. Another important aspect of the basement inspection is identifying any areas of water intrusion.
The balance of the home will be inspected next including the kitchen, garage if attached, all interior rooms including the bedrooms. The interior room inspection of the home would take about an hour and a half to perform. A comprehensive home inspector would have spent about two and a half hours in the home already and not have inspected the attic yet. length of home inspection The attic is generally the last portion of the home inspection but also an important aspect of the inspection. In the attic the inspector is impacting the attic structure including rafters, roof decking, flooring, joists, interior of the chimney, insulation, attic fans, whole house fans, and insulation. The attic portion of the home inspection would typically run about 30 to 40 minutes.
You can see why a comprehensive NJ home inspection takes 3 to 4 hours to perform on an average sized home. Larger homes will take considerably longer. When you ask the question to your prospective home inspector how long the home inspection will take to perform the answer should be about 3to fur hours. If your potential home inspector answers 90 minutes to two hours that is just not enough time to properly inspect the home and you as a home inspection client are shortchanging yourself. Look for a comprehensive home inspector who takes the time to do the job correctly and does not rush. You are investing a huge amount of money in a home, don’t rush your home inspection.
How long should it take to receive a home inspection report? A good NJ home inspector will understand that you have a limited inspection contingency period. It is in your best interests to hire a home inspector who can deliver the report the day after the home inspection. If you must wait three or more days to receive an inspection report you will be at a disadvantage. The faster that you can receive the report the better position you will be in to prepare your list of potential corrections you want the seller to make or the better position you will be in to ask for credits from the seller of the home. Even if the home is “as is” the faster you get the report the quicker you can make important decisions for you and your family. Receiving the report in a timely fashion also allows you the time to possibly perform other due diligence if necessary. Sometimes other pieces of due diligence are necessary when the home inspector uncovers larger issues such as foundation problems. You need the time to get other professionals to see the home if you must.
The only caveat to a quick report turnaround is that you should be aware of the home inspectors who produce the report on site just after the home inspection. Onsite reports are not as detailed as reports that are created offsite. Onsite reports are typically made by the home inspector creating a report using a checklist style. The computer software then fills in the canned comments. This type of report is not going to be as detailed as a report that is written and created offsite where the home inspector can take more time and reflect on the issues that were discovered in the home. It’s always advantageous to have a report that is carefully crested then one that is hastily crested on site. When interviewing potential home inspectors make sure the inspector you choose can provide a report in a timely fashion.
There are several important questions to get answers too when you are hiring a home inspector. You are investing a small fortune buying a home in New Jersey. Make sure to ask these important questions to potential home inspectors that you may hire. The more information you have the better decision you can make regarding the hiring of your home inspector.