Buying a home is a dream for many in Wichita, Kansas. Finding that place that is going to become home. It is exciting and yet it can come with its fair share of questions as well. A couple of questions that may pop up are, what kind of inspections should you consider having before buying a home? And why are specialized inspections important?
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A HOME INSPECTION
As mentioned in the previous blog, the standard home inspection will include an inspection of the following:
- Heating system
- Central air conditioning system
- Interior plumbing system
- Electrical system
- Roof and attic
- Visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors,
- And the foundation, basement, and structural components
There is a lot included and all very important aspects of making sure a house can be a home.
WHAT ISN’T INCLUDED IN A HOME INSPECTION
According to State Farm Insurance, the following are not always included in a home inspection:
- Pest control
- Swimming pools
- Asbestos
- Radon gas
- Venting equipment with household appliances
- Indoor air quality
- Lead paint
- Toxic mold
While it is true that some home inspectors will note obvious signs of mold or water damage on a home inspection, they are not inspecting for mold. These notes would be for obvious signs, and at times mold and water damage can be far from obvious.
THUS THE FIRST QUESTION, WHAT KIND OF INSPECTIONS SHOULD YOU HAVE BEFORE BUYING A HOME?
There are a few factors to consider before deciding on which inspections beyond the standard home inspection would be good for the home you’re considering purchasing in Wichita, Kansas.
- Age of the home
- Location of the home
- Condition of the home
Types of specialized inspections include:
- Mold testing
- Radon testing
- Pest/termite inspection
- Foundation/structure inspection
- Roof inspection
- Asbestos inspection
- Lead-based paint inspection
- Pool inspection
- Electrical inspection
- HVAC inspection
- Chimney inspection
- Plumbing/sewer inspection
That is not to say that you’d need to have all of these inspections done to feel secure purchasing a home in Wichita, Kansas. Some are very specific to the home itself, such as a pool inspection and chimney inspection, which would only need to be done if these were present at the home. Some may be more a regional concern, such as if you live in a place with high humidity, rain, or excess moisture of any kind – a mold inspection, roof inspection, and HVAC inspection are going to be very good ideas. And yes, there are definitely a few that could be considered universal, such as pest/termite inspection, foundation/structure inspection, electrical inspection, HVAC inspection, and plumbing/sewer inspection.
SO WHY MIGHT BE A SPECIALIZED INSPECTION BE WORTH THE TIME?
The main reason would be that there are fewer surprises in the long run. A specialized inspection may come with an initial cost, but not having a specific inspection can also lead to a heavy cost, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of being satisfied with a home purchase.
For example, consider a mold inspection in Wichita, Kansas. A mold inspection with us here at FreshCo will average between $150-$200. With this mold inspection, a mold inspector will inspect for mold, and if mold is found, we will determine the extent of the mold, possible source of the mold, and will provide recommendations and an estimate for mold remediation and possible reconstruction as well. This initial mold inspection cost can actually bring some peace of mind, especially if no mold is found – and if it is, then the buyer would not only be aware, but be able to make an educated decision on whether to purchase the home or not.
There’s a saying that knowledge is power – and that certainly applies when it comes to deciding on possibly having one or more specialized inspections performed before purchasing a home in Wichita, Kansas.
If you are looking at a home and have concerns about mold, water damage, or HVAC issues, please give us a call. Let us help alleviate your worries about the “what if?”
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— K K (Machine Design Services) in Wichita, Kansas
