Your Biggest Home Inspection FAQs, Answered.
Need a home inspection in Northern VA, MD, or DC? Chances are you’ve got questions. After 15+ years in the inspection business, I’m here to give you the unbiased answers you need for your top home inspection FAQs. And if you’d like answers to questions for your situation in particular, feel free to contact me at ryan@redstarhomeinspections.com
How long does a home inspection take?
It depends - primarily on the size of the home inspected. As you might imagine, an equestrian property takes considerably longer than a townhouse. The condition of the home can also significantly influence the time needed (a home in disrepair takes longer).
Here are some rough guidelines though:
Townhouse / condo: 2 hours
Single family home: 3-4 hours
Equestrian property: 4+ hours, depending on the number of buildings
You can then expect to get your report usually within about 24-48 hours. More complex properties sometimes require additional time, but as long as your realtor takes this into account when scheduling your inspection, timing is generally a non-issue.
How much does a home inspection cost?
Again, it depends. A larger and more complicated property will take more time, and therefore will cost more. Here are some general pricing guidelines for a home inspection in the Northern Virginia region in particular:
Condo: From $300
Townhouse: From $375
Single Family Home: From $400
Equestrian Property: From $750
Pricing includes the time spent by the inspector on your property as well as the creation of your report.
Who is responsible for fixing issues identified in the inspection?
Not unlike pricing and timing, responsibility varies too. :)
A lot of it comes down to how your contract is written as the buyer. Is the inspection for informational purposes only? In this case, you won’t be able to impact your contract and any issues that are uncovered will be up to you to manage. On the other hand, if your contract has a home inspection contingency, you may be able to negotiate with the sellers to either have them fix any issues or give you a price break so you can fix them yourself. (life pro tip: if you’re on the selling side, a pre-listing inspection can be a more cost-effective way to eliminate issues that could kill a sale)
What does a home inspector look for?
A residential home inspection covers both the interior and exterior of the home: the foundation, structural components, roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. According to Claude McGavic, executive director of the National Association of Home Inspectors, there are over 1,600 different items that the standard home inspection covers. And given that each home is different, you never know which of those 1,600 items could be the one that needs your attention.
Does the homebuyer need to be present at the inspection?
Because we provide a detailed report to the buyer, it’s not mandatory that they are present at the inspection. However, we do strongly recommend it as it gives you an opportunity to learn about your new home (including useful tidbits like how to shut your water main off). However, if a buyer is unable to attend, we will still carry out the inspection and provide a detailed report, including photos, within 24-48 hours of the inspection. In Virginia, we hold a residential real estate license, so we can enter the home ahead of the agent upon request.
A home inspection is a fantastic way to get to know your new home and potentially even save yourself thousands in repairs. Ready to book your home inspection in DC, MD, or VA? You can contact us or schedule your inspection online today. See you soon!
