Home ownership can be very expensive, particularly when the house is aging and repairs need to be carried out. A small and simple defect can escalate into a major issue in a relatively short period, resulting in repair bills running into the thousands.
But it doesn’t have to be….
Scheduling visits from a Portland home inspector on a semi-regular basis can save you tons of money in the long term. Regular inspections will help you identify any small defects early on and give you time to fix them before they turn into hazardous and costly problems.
Most Problems Start Small
The older your home, the more it is recommended to have a regular inspection, as the chances of faults being discovered increases greatly with age. Just as we take our cars in for regular check-up, and even visit the doctor annually to make sure we’re healthy, we should treat our homes the same way. A regular home inspection will certainly save you money in the long run, as the cost of the inspection and fixing any minor problems will often be significantly less than any untreated issues that have festered into immediate complications. Things such as small leaks are an easy fix, but left untreated for a few months and they can turn into large areas of water damage or wood rot, which can be very expensive to repair.
A home inspection covers every aspect of a home including the physical structure and systems in the house. Everything from the roof down to the foundation is assessed, including the behind-the-scenes components like electrical wiring and plumbing. An inspection will reveal whether there are any major issues which need addressing immediately, like structural damage, or any minor issues that can potentially become big problems in the future, such as a small leak in the garage roof.
Portland’s Best Home Inspection Services
When searching for a Portland home inspector, the lowest quote certainly isn’t the best. An inspection should always be carried out by a qualified home inspector with experience and a good reputation. It can be easy to fall into the trap of letting anyone carry out the home inspection to save money. Perhaps you have a friend or relative who is quite handy around the house and who will do it for an extremely low price or even for free, but in this business, you get what you pay for. As previously mentioned, it’s worth the extra money to get a quality home inspection rather than forking out thousands of dollars on repairs over the coming years.
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) publishes a Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics that outlines what you should expect to be covered in your home inspection report. Always make sure that you check with your inspector that they adhere to this code of ethics.
After a home inspection has been carried out, the inspector should give you an idea of how often you will need an inspection. Depending on the size and age of the house, they may recommend anything from one every year to every 10 years. A good inspector will be able to see things that aren’t problems as of yet, but have potential to become an issue in the future. Any minor defects found that have potential to become bigger problems can be a factor in determining the frequency of a home inspection. Don’t let the cost of a home inspection put you off from having one, as the potential savings you will make on future repairs could likely be a lot higher.
Contact me today to inquire about your home inspection. I would be glad to answer any questions for you and help to make sure your home is in great shape.
