Many homeowners schedule inspections only when buying or selling a property. Inspections provide the new owners with a complete picture of what’s going on behind the scenes. But today’s pricey market means many of us are staying put a little longer than normal. Scheduling a home inspection with Boggs Inspection Services ensures there aren’t expensive, damaging surprises lurking out of sight.
Preventive Inspections with Boggs Inspection Services Save Time and Money
Mortgage lender Freddie Mac stresses that homeowners plan ahead. Their experts say: “Like owning a car, your home will need regular upkeep to keep it safe and uphold its value. It’s your biggest investment—protect it…Regular upkeep can prevent costly problems from arising, make mechanical systems last longer and have a positive impact on your home’s value. Maintenance will cost you time and money, but it can protect your home’s value and ensure the comfort and safety of your family.”
They suggest making sure your homeowner’s policy is current, setting aside time and money for future repairs and taking inventory of your home’s appliances, structure and warranties. Boggs Manager George Green agrees. He suggests that homeowners bring someone in annually to inspect the HVAC system as well as the exterior, crawlspace and attic. “These are areas that either have the most exposure to the elements, or no one wants to enter,” says Green. “It is important to make sure that there is no water intrusion to the structure, which these areas will see the most if there are issues.”
Home Inspections Aren’t Just for Older Homes
It’s easy to equate new with worry-free. But at Boggs, they suggest an inspection just to be safe. “We perform plenty of new home inspections throughout the year,” says Green. “Builders make mistakes too, believe it or not, and it’s important to catch these sooner rather than later. Issues we’ve seen over the years include open waste lines under the home, poor water management around the structure, allowing for standing water to develop in the crawlspace, damaged framing, lumber infested by wood-destroying beetles used for structural framing, missing insulation in the attic or crawlspace and disconnected plumbing.”
Many new homes come with a limited warranty, so Boggs encourages owners to consider their 11-month warranty inspection. Green says that “the point of these inspections is to be able to create a punch list of sorts to bring to the attention of the builder in order to address any concerns that may have developed within the first ten months or so before the builder’s warranty expires.”
On-Site to Answer Questions and Explain Findings
Inspections take two to four hours, depending on the size and condition of the home and owners are encouraged to remain on-site. This way, they can see firsthand any issues mentioned in the report and ask questions or point out areas of concern. If you can’t be there for your visit, inspectors will access the home and deliver their report the next day. They’ll then follow up by phone to discuss any trouble spots. “As we provide inspections seven days a week, we can work within most schedules,” says Green.
Boggs does more than look at the building itself. Green says that a typical inspection includes the structure as well as the HVAC system, water heater, washer/dryer, cooktop/oven, built-in microwave and dishwasher. They test appliances to make sure they’re operating properly and don’t leak or cause issues.
Hiring a Pro versus DIY Home Inspection
Sure, you could climb onto the roof, walk the perimeter, inspect your siding and peer into basement corners. But without an obvious sign like water leakage, missing parts or mold discoloration, issues may not be readily apparent to the Backyard Joe – especially those with crawlspace claustrophobia or slippery-roof acrophobia.
Common findings on a roof may include damaged or missing flashing and roofing material, exposed fasteners, poor repairs and improperly sloped or debris-filled gutters. Under the home, inspectors may find active rodents and wood-destroying organisms (WDOs) such as termites, carpenter ants, wood beetles or wood fungus. Other issues include damaged framing, settling signs, water infiltration, damaged insulation and compromised water supply or waste lines.
“Your inspector will access all corners of these areas, where it’s safe to do so, and give a detailed finding regarding any discoveries,” says Green. “And all the inspectors at Boggs Inspection Services are licensed Structural Pest Inspectors. This means we can identify specific causes of damage or decay in and around the structure so the client can have a pest controller come up with a specific treatment plan to remedy the concerns.”
Give Boggs Inspection Services a call today at 360.480.9602. Don’t wait until a pipe has burst or the roof starts leaking to keep your biggest asset in tip-top shape.
