Home Renovation Blog

So You Didn’t Get an Inspection – Now What?

Home buyers usually request a home inspection before closing the sale, but mortgage lenders don’t require it so sometimes buyers will skip the inspection to speed up the process of closing on the house.

At times, a homeowner will finish the basement or do other major changes on the inside of the house without getting permits and therefore without having it inspected.

Unfortunately, these shortcuts are often a short-term-win, long-term-loss situation. As much of a hassle as inspections may seem, they have an important function. The inspection can catch any issues that the home buyer may need to know about, so they can be fixed before more damage is done. In the case of work done without permits or inspection, sometimes dangerous mistakes can be made in wiring or structure that can be a threat to the whole house and the family living there.

What inspectors check

Inspectors don’t tear your house apart to look at hidden wiring or plumbing, but an experienced inspector may notice problems that hint at a larger issue. 

On the exterior, the inspector will check siding, paint, windows, roof, foundation, decking, handrails, porches, and your lot, looking for signs of rot, deterioration, leaks, cracks, water drainage issues, and any other signs of trouble. They will also check for any asbestos or signs of problems with sewer or septic systems. 

In the interior, the inspector checks ceilings, windows, visible pipes and fixtures, floorboards, attic, basement, roof, and fireplaces, as well as electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems. The inspector will check the age of the systems and will make sure the rooms heat and cool properly and that the electric and plumbing systems work properly. He or she will check the attic and basement, as well as ceilings and windows, for signs of water or leakage, mold, etc.

For peace of mind or resale

If you’re thinking of selling soon, it’s to your advantage to perform a seller’s inspection before putting it on the market. This way you can find out if there are any problems that need to be fixed before you put your house up for sale. 

Even if you’re planning on staying, now is the time to get that inspection you didn’t get before, to make sure everything is working properly and there are no hidden problems. 

What to do if you have a problem

Maybe the inspector will discover now that your electrical box is overloaded and you’re experiencing electrical issues. Maybe the finished basement has a musty smell, there’s a stain on the ceiling below the upstairs bathroom, or the heater is on its last legs. Maybe they’ll notice some rot around the windows or patches on the roof you didn’t notice when you bought the place. 

We can help. As general contractors, we have experts in every area of home renovation and repair and can help diagnose and resolve the problem quickly, efficiently, and within budget. Contact us today at +1 610 890 9170. We service Philadelphia and surrounding areas from our Main Line location.

Jeff Schiller

Jeff’s experience in Operations Management and Organizational Leadership in the mortgage, manufacturing, and finance industries allows him to bring 15+ years of corporate expertise to the M&K team. His motto is: “Quality is paramount – Process should be simple.