Congratulations! You purchased a home. The next step is to get your home inspected. A home inspection ensures the integrity of your home. A general home home inspection inspector performs a visible inspection of the home's internal and external systems. A general home home inspection inspector inspects:

- Building Interior: walls, floors, ceilings, doorways, etc

- Kitchen and Laundry Areas and Fixtures

- Bathroom Interiors and Fixtures

- Fireplaces and Chimneys

- Garages and Carports

- Building Exterior: walls, foundation, windows, etc.

- Roof, Attic and Gutters

- General Foundation

- General Drainage

- Fences and Gates, Driveway, Patios and Covers, Decks and Balconies, Exterior Stairs

- Plumbing

- Electrical

- Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

After the inspection, the home inspector creates a report listing all defects found in the home and presents it to the home owner.

However, a home inspection is not a guarantee; rather, it's a professional inspection of your homes visible interiors and exteriors. A general home home inspection inspector does not inspect a home to make sure it's up to code. He/she only inspects for damage such as water damage, malfunctioning electrical switches and outlets, non-functioning fixtures, cracks in ceilings, etc. A general home home inspection inspector does not verify whether or not the patio cover is built to code. He/she simply inspects the patio cover for cracks and visible structural imperfections.

An honest general home home inspection inspector does not suggest contractors or repairmen to make repairs on the defects he/she finds. This is a conflict of interest. If a home inspector is inspecting your home for imperfections and defects, and then refers you to a specific repairman who can make these repairs for you, you have to think whether or not the home inspector is being honest with you regarding the specific defects he/she found. Think about it; a general home home inspection inspector is a trained professional who knows what to look for. Small cracks, water stains, and minor electrical problems could communicate much larger, internal problems. To you and I, a malfunctioning electrical switch is just a minor annoyance. A home inspector knows how to interpret these defects and determine if the problem is much larger. However, if the home inspector is trying to get business for a friend who's an electrical handyman, the home inspector might tell you that the malfunctioning electrical switch is a result of bad wiring in the house, and all the homes wiring needs to be replaced, when in reality, the only thing that needs to be replaced is the switch itself.

If a home inspector offers to make repairs himself or suggest a "friend" who can make the necessary repairs, report them to:

American Society of Home Inspectors , Inc. (ASHI)

932 Lee Street, Suite 101

Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016

1-800-743-ASHI (2744)

Also, a general home home inspection inspector does not establish the value of a home. A home appraiser is the real estate professional who performs that job. A general home home inspection inspector is not involved in establishing the value of a home at any level. He/she simply inspects the home and reports any visible defects.

A home inspection helps you establish the structural integrity of your home. However it is merely a professional analysis of your homes internal and external systems, not a guarantee. That's why when you choose a general home home inspection inspector, be sure to check his/her credentials. A quality and honest home inspector will be insured, educated, experienced, and certified by a top home inspection association.