Can I attend my Phoenix Home Inspection?

One question home inspectors get asked often is….Can we attend our Phoenix Home Inspection? The answer varies from home inspector to home inspector but if the answer is no, you may want to reconsider home inspectors. Southwest Premier Home Inspection is always happy to have our clients attend their Phoenix Home Inspection.

Attending your Phoenix Home Inspection gives the home inspector the opportunity to answer any questions on-site while the information is still fresh in everyone’s mind. It also gives the client an opportunity to ask questions and learn about their new home.

With that being said, there are a few ground rules that need to be followed. You have to keep in mind that the home inspector is there to perform a job for you, this job requires concentration and time to perform properly.

Asking Questions

Asking your home inspector questions is fine but a constant barrage of questions during the entire course of the home inspection is distracting to the home inspector and can decrease their performance.

If you have concerns about the home you should ask those questions at the beginning while the home inspector is getting set up and ready for the inspection. Any questions that you come up with during the inspection, try to save till the home inspector has a little down time; for instance setting up his ladder. Any general questions about home maintenance, system operation etc… try to save until the inspection is complete.

Operating Systems

If you attend the home inspection do not operate any systems, faucets or switches in the home without asking the home inspector first. If you run water in a sink before the home inspector inspects that sink, he has no way of knowing if the faucet had a slight leak before he turned the water on. You pay your home inspector to inspect these items so let him do it.

I will make special mention of garage doors. Never operate a garage door! Many garage doors, especially on bank owned homes here in Phoenix are either padlocked or bolted shut. If you try to open a garage door that is locked it can buckle the door causing it to come completely off track and destroy or severely damage the door.

Most home inspectors have a system or work flow that they follow that works for them; if you start turning things on and off during the home inspection this can negatively impact the home inspector’s work flow.

Don’t Rush The Home Inspector

It takes time to perform a thorough home inspection so don’t rush the home inspector to finish because you have to be somewhere. The time it takes to perform a home inspection varies greatly depending on the age, condition and size of the home. Plan on two to four hours for a typical home inspection but be prepared for longer if the home is in rough condition or very large. Rushing your home inspector only decreases the quality of your home inspection.

If you have to leave before the home inspection is complete, you should ask any questions that you have come up with up to that point and make arrangements for the home inspector to get the report to you electronically.

Don’t Use Home Inspector’s Equipment

Do not use the home inspector’s equipment. Clients are not allowed to use the home inspectors ladder, climb on roofs or enter attics; there is too much liability involved for the home inspector. Not only can you injure yourself but you can damage property.

These guidelines are recommended to help you get the most value out of your home inspection.

Ask questions at appropriate times
Do not distract your home inspector
Never operate any systems in the home prior to asking your home inspector
Do not rush the home inspector
Do not use the home inspector’s equipment

This information was provided by Southwest Premier Home Inspection, the Phoenix Arizona Home Inspection Leader. Visit our website at www.swpHomeInspect.com or call us at 623-203-0106 to schedule your Phoenix Home Inspection.

Looking for a Home Inspection in the Denver Colorado area? Visit this Denver Home Inspection website.

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