Madison, WI Home Inspection FAQs
Scroll through these questions that are frequently asked by home buyers to better understand home inspections.
Why should a home be inspected?
Even if home sellers were 100% honest, home inspections almost always reveal defects that were not disclosed to you on the property condition report. Some of these items may have been deliberately concealed from you and others may have been truly unknown by the seller. Therefore, the property condition reports supplied by sellers have little value. For the protection of your major investment, as well as, for your own personal education concerning the property you are buying, you should unquestionably have a home inspection. Furthermore, new homes are just as important to have inspected as old homes. Many builders are subject to the workmanship of their subcontractors who are often in a hurry to get to their next project. Corners may be cut with the knowledge that the average home buyer will never recognize these defects until the subcontractors are long gone.
Who conducts home inspections?
All home inspectors are required to be registered with the State of Wisconsin to assure you a "minimum" of competency. You should make sure that your home inspector is an active member of the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors (WAHI) so you know they are staying abreast of the most current construction defects and recalls. The best inspectors are members of the South Central Wisconsin Council of Home Inspectors. They are required not only to be members of WAHI, but their education standards are higher than those required by the State. We recommend for you to ask your home inspector about credentials, how soon you will receive your written report and the amount of time they will spend with you on site.
What is included in a home inspection?
Wisconsin State law was written to assure that you will have all of the major structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical operating systems inspected during your inspection. Other hazards, if known and observed by the inspector, will also be reported on. There are limitations, such as a home inspector is not required/allowed to cut holes in walls, pulling up flooring, remove blocked accesses, or enter unsafe areas during the inspection. Additionally, laboratory tests for hazardous substances are not automatically included. While inspectors are obligated by state law to stand behind their work, they cannot predict the future performance of any home, therefore, guarantees or warranties are not included with an inspection. Home owner warranties are available for purchase through Realtors and are sometimes included by sellers as a purchasing incentive. The true purpose of an inspection is to reduce the risk of your investment, not eliminate it.
When do home inspections take place?
Offer to purchase contracts will usually contain a contingency stating how much time you have in which to have your home inspection performed. Typically, you have ten days to have your inspection performed within. However, some contingencies may say 90 days while others may say 24 hours. No matter how long you have agreed to, it is recommended to schedule your inspection as soon as you possible can.
How much do home inspections cost?
A home inspection is usually the best bargain in the entire real-estate transaction. On average, home inspections will cost $275.00 up to $500.00. The inspection will yield so much information that the value of the inspection is often immeasurable. Some inspectors will also offer ancillary inspection services for mold contamination, lead paint, asbestos, radon gas, water contaminants, pet urine, and others, which can be performed during the inspection for added fees.
How much time does an inspection take?
A good home inspection should take from 2 ½ to 4 hours on average. This depends greatly on the size and condition of the property being inspected.
Can I attend the inspection?
You should absolutely attend your inspection. It will be an invaluable experience for you. While the information regarding your real-estate transaction will be contained in your written inspection report, bringing along a note book is a good idea. Your inspector will likely be sharing a lot of information with you that may exceed the scope of the inspection, but could also save you money later on if you follow the advice. Plan on attending the entire inspection, but if you cannot, at least attend the last half so the discoveries can be pointed out to you directly.
What is a defect and what happens if defects are discovered?
Defects are almost always discovered during inspections, even on brand new homes. Your real estate agent or attorney will help you to determine which items meet the legal definition of a defect. Defects can be accepted, negotiated, or rejected depending on you and the language in your contract. Most often they are negotiated with the selling party. Any defects discovered during the inspection and subsequently revealed to the seller must legally be disclosed by the seller to any other future buyers. This makes it in the best interest of the selling party to work something out with you the buyer for a faster transaction. Ultimately, you are the final judge as to what you will or will not accept. Your home inspector cannot make these decisions for you.
What is a home inspection report?
A home inspection is not a pass or fail test. The inspection report documents the current conditions of the property in writing. All reports are to contain all of the information required by the state. Inspection reports do not state any costs or methods of repairs, nor do they predict the future life expectancies of components. To obtain estimates for costs or to have a specific component further evaluated, it is necessary to contact professional service companies and contractors.