Should i just inspect my own house, or should i pay someone to do a general house inspection b 4 i buy it?

Question

If i could find a good check list, should i just inspect my own house instead of paying someone for a general home inspection? They don't have any liability for what they say do they?

Answer 1

My friend hired one of those inspection services, The guy found major cracks in the foundation that could not be seen by him or (supposedly the owner) saved him about $85,000 by not buying the house. Also get a reprible termite inspection as well.

Answer 2

Hire someone, you never know what they may find. When we were closing on our house my husband hired an inspector, even though it was a new house. The dishwasher had not had the water connected to it and therefore no water was entering the machine. We would have called for service on the thing. Another friend used an inspector and found that part of her roof had not been properly attached to the frame, any strong wind might have blown it right off.

I think it is worth the money, because then you have a small gaurentee that it is o.k.

By the way, an inspector is going to be objective. What might look minor to you (because you really want the house) may really be something major that would have been a deal breaker if you knew before you fell in love with it.

Answer 3

ok, its always a good idea to give a house a general inspection yourself... find a checklist, and go through it.
a self inspection is good so if you find something major, obvious, and expensive in need of repair ...and you know you cant afford to fix it up.. then you didn't waste $150-$200 on a inspector to tell you something you could obviously see was wrong.. (I don't think that rafter is supposed to be broke like that) . but if everything looks good.. the best thing you can do for yourself if hire one before you sign the contract.. usually a good inspector is also a licensed contractor...

Answer 4

You are spending how much on this house??? Isn't it worth the $$ for the inspection which will probably pay for itself if you can negotiate even one repair prior to purchase. I didn't have one on the first two houses I bought & got lucky w/ no major problems but now I know better I would not consider it any other way. Like I said you can probably even recoup 100% back in the long run.

Answer 5

I can't not say it loud enough. DO NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT buy a house without having it inspected first by a licensed professional inspector. Why would you want to make a major investment like that and then skimp on the inspection?

Answer 6

Get a home inspector to come in and inspect it. Ask around and find someone that people trust though. You can get burned if you don't get the right person

Answer 7

Pay someone. Sometimes the seller will pay for this, and if not, you do not have the training to detect all the things that a house inspector will. The piece of mind is worth it. Congragts on your new house!

Answer 8

if you're in the US, there are firms that do this AND issue a home warranty which pays for anything they miss if it fails or is found within the first year.

Further, you should ask the seller to pay for this, BUT make sure you choose the firm. It is the seller's responsibility to disclose all known major defects and this policy is how he guarantees that one, if found, will be paid for.

{Don't forget to ask the seller what he knows of in the property that isn't as good as he'd like it to be. All he can do is not answer, right?}


GL

Answer 9

Hire the contractor. They're experienced and knowledgable...more than you or I.They have nothing to gain or lose by providing a good/bad report as they have no emotion invested in the house. They have no liability.

Answer 10

definitely get someone else to do it. a professional inspector looks for and finds things you would never even think of. It is worth every penny. Especially when you are making such a big purchase.