The purpose of an inspection is to determine the condition of various systems and structures of the home, as well as to find and indentify major defects in the home. Depending upon the size and condition of the house, the home inspection process may take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 4 hours to complete.

The home inspection process

This is usually the first portion of the inspection process. It consists of inspecting the conditions of the driveway/parking areas, walks/stoops/steps,  fences/walls, retaining wall, and the landscape/ ground slope conditions.

1. Grounds

This portion of the inspection process consists of inspecting the porches, patios, decks, balconies, hose bibs, exterior walls, siding, trim/soffit/facia, caulking, windows, storm windows, window screens, doors, chimneys, guttering and downspouts.  Also included are checks of the electrical service entry, exterior outlets, lighting, heat pump, air conditioning unit, door bells, and gas/fuel tanks or meters.

2. Exterior

This part of the inspection includes identifying the style of roof and the roof type (i.e., metal, shingle, rubber, etc.) and inspecting the condition of the roof, ventilation, skylights, vent pipes, chimneys, exhaust pipes, chimney flashings, and wall flashings.

4. Roof

Mark’s Home Inspection

Your source for peace of mind when buying or selling a home

(812) 322-6532

The home inspection process consists of the following system checks.

This portion of the home inspection covers certain aspects of all of the rooms in the house including: walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, bedroom egress, heating/cooling sources, closets, stairs, steps, balconies, railings, fireplaces, kitchen countertops, cabinets, sinks, and appliances. In addition, this portion of the inspection covers the condition of bathroom cabinets, lavatories, showers/tubs, stools, and all electrical outlets and lighting sources.

6. Interior

This part of the home inspection covers the overall system condition and operation, approximate age, condition of piping, ventilation, ducting, filters, and condensate line drainage, as well as identifying the type of heating and cooling systems (i.e. gas, electric, etc.).

8. Heating/Cooling

This section of the inspection includes all visible framing, attic areas, crawlspace/basement support beams, posts, sub-flooring, and ventilation. Materials are inspected for evidence of wood rot, mold, mildew, and insect problems (including identifying visual evidence of termites, carpenter ants, wood boring beetles, wood bees, etc.).

7. Structure

This section of the home inspection involves inspecting the condition and capabilities of the main service wires, main electrical panel, grounding, branch circuit wiring, as well as identifying amperage, fuse/breakers, etc.

10. Electrical

This portion of the inspection includes identifying the condition and type of water supply lines, drain/waste/vent pipes, gas lines, water pressure, well pumps, sanitary/grinder pumps, and water heaters. All interior plumbing is covered in the interior plumbing inspection.

9. Plumbing

11. Home Inspection Summary

The final portion of the home inspection is the home inspection summary. Here all of the major defects, concerns, significant issues, safety hazards, non-working components, and items that may need replacement within the next five years are identified.