The only way to know for sure if you’re buying a dream home or money pit (my favorite movie, by the way) is to hire an experienced certified Houston home inspector.
We thoroughly inspect all major components of your new home according to the “Standards of Practice” set forth by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Our Houston home inspectors expose unknown defects and advise you about future maintenance or recommended improvements about your home.
Newcomers, part timers, and good old boys simply don’t have the ability to provide the comprehensive Houston home inspection you’ll need.
Our Comprehensive Houston home inspection service covers the following areas:
- Structure
- Roofing System
- Mechanical Systems
- Plumbing
- Attic
- Exterior
- Interior
- Kitchen
- Bathrooms
- Landscape
Structure
Strength and shape of the home are provided by the structure. The two main components of the structure are the foundation and the framing system. Each of these components are critical
in providing the building with long lasting comfort and stability. Major defects in the structure can be extensive and costly to repair.
Roofing System
The roof is designed to protect all the components of the dwelling. There are numerous roof styles and finish materials. Each style and material is inspected carefully for wear, leaks, defects and other deficiencies. Roofing problems that go undetected can cause serious harm to other components of the building. Styles and types of roofs are dictated by location, age, and preference. Your Houston home inspector will carefully evaluate the condition of the material used and note defects.
Mechanical Systems
A comfortable and safe living environment is provided by the mechanical systems of the house.
Each system has many components and there are many types of each system. Your inspector will
evaluate the safe operational condition of each system and report any defects discovered. The
mechanical systems encompass the entire dwelling and exterior portions.
Plumbing
Plumbing involves the installation, maintenance and alteration of piping, fixtures, appliances and accessories in connection with sanitary or storm drainage facilities, venting systems and public or private water supply systems. A plumbing system consists of three systems: (1) water supply (2) drain and waste disposal (3) mechanical, ample fixtures and equipment. Your Houston home inspector will inspect and operate all fixtures and run several gallons of water through the plumbing system, checking the overall condition of the system. Leaking pipes, dripping valves, clogged pipes, corrosion, reversed hot and cold water supplies, limited hot water or inadequate water pressure are indications of a defective plumbing system.
Attic
The attic of the home is the uppermost portion of the dwelling, which still remains on the
interior. Attics are often used by homeowners for storage and sometimes finished for
additional living space if construction style allows and unfortunately even when it doesn’t.
When an attic is unfinished and accessible the inspector can inspect for the quality of the
construction, the insulation, water penetration, venting, pest or rodent entry and exposed
electrical hazards. Your Houston home inspector will be looking for signs that may indicate hidden
problems as well as a safety concerns.
Exterior
The interior components of the home are protected by the exterior of the home. Exterior
components of the building include; roof, siding, trim, gutters & downspouts, windows,
garage, decks, patios, grounds and related items. Each of these items are inspected for
its condition and how it relates to the dwelling. Defects in exterior components such as
the windows or siding can affect other components of the home. All of these defects will be listed in your Houston home inspection report.
Interior
Interior components of the house include all the various rooms and related items, which
are not covered in other aspects of the inspection on the interior of the dwelling. Your
inspector will go through each room including all visible and accessible areas the house.
This is an important part of the inspection because symptoms of larger problems are
often visible in the various rooms of your home. Settling can be noticed in the floors
and walls. Roof or plumbing leaks may be noticed on the ceilings. Poor quality workmanship
on mechanical distributions such as outlets and heat convection may be visible. Your
Houston home inspector will go through each room making notes of relevant defects.
Kitchen
The kitchen of a home is often considered the heart and soul. This is where the majority
of the American public spends most of their time when indoors and not sleeping. Kitchens,
which were installed using sub-standard materials and products, will be a source of
expensive future upgrades. Poor quality or worn cabinets and counters may require
expensive upgrading or repair. Complete kitchen replacement is very expensive. It is
normal to spend more than $30,000 on a new kitchen! Recent cosmetic repairs will be looked
at carefully to determine the quality of work and whether or not they were done to mask
a more serious problem. The Houston home inspector will look for water damage around the sink, dishwasher and refrigerator as well as for safety hazards.
Bathrooms
The bathrooms of the home can be one of the most expensive areas to replace or refurbish.
With simple maintenance, such as caulking and grouting of tub and shower areas, expensive
repairs can be avoided. Many future homeowners badly underestimate the cost of bathroom
replacement because of the underlying defects, which require repairs. A well maintained,
but outdated bathroom can often be updated at a reasonable cost by replacing wallpaper,
shower doors, sink vanity and other minor items. The inspector will carefully check all
areas including the tub and shower areas and around the toilet in particular. These areas
are more prone to hidden water damage. Your Houston home inspector will advise you of visible defects and alert you to potential hidden defects such as leaking shower pans, which can only be checked in a limited capacity.
Landscape
Inspections of the grounds surrounding the home will include items such as grading for
drainage, patios, landscaping (retaining walls and other alterations to the natural flow
of the property), fences, trees and bushes which may have an effect on the home and all
other items as they relate to the exterior of the house. Patios and surrounding soil
should be pitched away from the house to keep water from ponding at the foundation and
undermine the concrete slab. Trees and bushes need to be kept away from the buildings
components to prevent wear, damage or present a possible safety hazard.
