Your new home is one of the largest purchases you will make. At Long Island prices, a home is a significant investment of your hard-earned money. As average buyers, we can only see part of what we’re paying for in a home. A home inspection, or “engineer’s report”, represents a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Why Get a Home Inspection?

A home inspection can identify problems and pinpoint repairs and maintenance needed now or in the future. According to the U.S. Census, over 85% of Nassau County homes were built before 1970. Over half of Suffolk County homes are also over 35 years old! That’s a long time in the life of a structure with working parts (heating, plumbing), features that are exposed to weather and pests (roof, windows) and elements that bear heavy stress (foundation, joists). Even new houses can have surprises - with the average age of homes in our area, an inspection can prevent unexpected expenses later.

Who Can Perform Long Island Home Inspections?

As of January, 2006, New York State (NYS) requires a license to perform home inspections. The New York State Home Inspection Council requires that a home inspector have completed 140 hours of study, including 40 hours of unpaid field-based inspections performed under the direct supervision of an NYS-licensed home inspector. Architects and engineers, who are generally licensed under stricter standards, are exempt from the home inspection licensing requirements.

What Should a Home Inspection Cover?

A home inspection should cover:

Exterior (roof, siding, doors, grading of property)

Foundation (structural integrity)

Interior (walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors)

Plumbing system (water supply and waste water removal)

Electrical system

Central heating and air-conditioning systems, and insulation

Findings should be in a detailed, written report. You, the home buyer, should participate fully in the inspection. A good inspector will explain what s/he sees and answer all of your questions. The report provides support to assist you in requesting repairs from the seller or negotiating a lower ‘as-is’ price.

The cost of an inspection is a tiny fraction of the purchase price of your home. It helps you avoid surprises, plan and budget for future maintenance, and may give you leverage to negotiate, or knowledge to avoid a mistake. Make sure the person performing your home inspection is licensed to perform home inspection by New York State, or is a licensed engineer or architect.


Find licensed contractors at...
http://www.lihome411.com.

- Long Island Home 411