Differences between a home inspection and a home assessment
There are a lot of similarities between the words “inspection” and “assessment”. But when it comes to your home, they can mean very different things. So what exactly is the difference between a home inspection and a Golden Home Management home assessment? Read to the end of this article to not only get your answer, but important next steps every homeowner should be aware of.
What’s a home inspection?
Home inspections are processes that are typically done when a property is being sold. A lot of homebuyers have gone through the home inspection process when their offer on a home has been approved but before they buy. They’re noninvasive looks at safety and quality with an inspector going through a property’s structural and electrical systems, inside and out.
A quick breakdown:
Structural
The inspector will look at various structural elements of the house. They’ll look at things like the foundation to make sure it’s not visible on the exterior, the roof, doors, windows, as well as fireplaces, stairways, porches/decks and drainage. These areas don’t just keep a house running smoothly, they also literally keep it standing up.
Electrical
The inspector will look at the service entrance (the steelbox which holds your home’s circuit breakers) and panels, as well as the branch circuit, connected devices and other electrical components.
Heating and ventilation
This includes the home’s heating and cooling equipment to make sure everything is working properly.
The inspector will look at items like the furnace, air conditioning, heat pumps and ducts
Plumbing
For a property’s plumbing, the inspector will look at the plumbing supply, distribution, fixtures (faucets, etc.), as well as drains, wastes & vents.
Appliances
Various appliances will probably be checked during the home inspection process. Items like garage door openers, ranges & ovens, food waste dispensers, dishwashers, microwaves and bathroom heaters, among others, are all on the list to be inspected.
Optional
This includes a variety of areas on a property, like pools, spas or hot tubs, landscape irrigation (sprinkler) systems, any additional outbuildings and built-in appliances.
Who pays for a home inspection?
As a homebuyer, it’s on you to find a home inspector to do this process, not the property owner. In Texas, the average cost for a home inspector is between $375 to $475. Depending on your budget that may save you thousands of dollars in repairs and fixes down the line for something that could have been spotted during the inspection.
When buying a home, it is vital to get a good home inspector to come out and make sure everything is in good working order.
What’s a Golden Home Management Assessment?
A Golden Home Management Assessment is like a home inspection, but different in purpose (and cost). Similar to an inspector, we send out an assessor who will look at your home and your property’s maintenance needs. However, a Golden Home Management assessment has alternate goals to a tried-and-true home inspection.
While you pay for a home inspection typically, a Golden Home Management home assessment is a FREE process designed to better understand your home’s maintenance needs and long-term safety needs. The assessor will begin working with you during the visit on you and your family’s needs and they’re your point-of-contact when working with various contractors. You can give us a call to schedule a home assessment. Together, we can take the headache out of home ownership.