A home inspection is a thorough investigation of a house conducted by a licensed home inspector. The inspection is generally carried out at the request of the buyer and seeks to identify potential repair issues or deferred maintenance prior to the purchase of a home.

A typical home inspection will examine the major systems of the house, including foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, siding, roof, etc. A home inspector may recommend additional specialized inspections such as pest inspections, sewer/septic inspections or mold inspections.

Inspections are typically at the expense of the home buyer, and depending on the terms of the purchase contract, there may be an additional opportunity to negotiate with the seller based on the results of the inspection.

Related Articles: