What’s Not Covered in a Home Inspection? 8 Items Home Inspectors Pass Over
If you’re like most sellers, you hope to pass the home inspection’s 1,600-feature check with flying colors so you can sail through closing. While it’s a smart move to complete necessary repairs beforehand, don’t go overboard and waste your time (and money) on items not covered in the report. Your home inspector won’t test every lightbulb, break open the walls to examine electrical, or dig into your underground septic system. Home inspectors are overall evaluators — not licensed electricians, plumbers, or HVAC technicians. Their primary role is to search for structural issues, mechanical defects, and health and safety concerns . “Home inspectors wear a lot of hats, but they’re not necessarily an expert in every area,” says top agent Jason Mickelson , who has over 10 years of experience serving the Ames, Iowa market. Not to mention, the average home inspection takes between two and two and a half hours (an hour to an hour and a half for condos), which is hardly enough time to dri...