What Should a Home Inspection include in New York

February 10, 2021 by Augustine Reyes Chan

Go Back To Previous Page

---

So you’ve found your dream house or your forever home. The seller has accepted your offer, and you’re ready to move in at the end of the home-buying process. But before you are handed keys to your new house and sign on the dotted line, you must ensure your future larger home is in good working order or in perfect to excellent condition. It’s time for a home inspection in New York State. First things first: what is a home inspection in NYC, and how much does a home inspection cost? It is when a licensed inspector comes into your soon-to-be–home with a home inspection checklist. This inspector searches for mechanical, structural, and electrical flaws. In other words, it represents an x-ray of the property. This inspection will point out defects.

On the surface, your new home may look fine.

But it’s not like you’re checking the foundation or zoning in on the ancient plumbing. Some of us may be DIYers, but most of us are not. Can you tell if the wiring of your lights is up to code?

That’s where a home inspection comes in. A licensed home inspector will look at your future home to find out if there are potential problems. He will inspect the foundation, structure, fixtures, plumbing, electricity, appliances, and more.

For example, the foundation may have cracks, the plumbing may have gotten too old, and the dishwasher may have busted. If the inspector discovers any problems, this is essential information.

You, the buyer, can negotiate with the seller to fix any issues. Alternatively, if the seller refuses or has too many problems to handle, you may opt-out or rethink buying the home.

Getting a professional home inspection is a critical step in home-buying, and the buyer can’t decide to purchase a home without a home inspection.

1. What is a House Inspection in New York?

2. What Does a Home Inspector Look For?

3. Is a Home inspection in New York mandatory in NYC?

4. What to Expect From an Inspection Report

5. Is a Home inspection in New York mandatory in NYC?

6. Who Pays for a Home Inspection in New York?

7. Where to Find a Professional Home Inspector in New York

8. What a Home Inspection Includes in New York

9. Is a Home Inspection Necessary?

10. When Does the Home Inspection Take Place in New York?

11. What Happens Once All Inspections are Completed?

12. Who pays for the home inspection in NYC?

What is a House Inspection in New York?

A home inspection evaluates the structure of a house, townhouse, condo, or co-op. A certified home inspection professional performs the home inspection. His job is to reveal what’s not up to code in your house or what defects exist.

This professional walks through the home to look for problem areas that may require your attention before moving in.

What Does a Home Inspector Look For?

It’s inspection day. The inspector generally focuses on a home’s major systems and components to see if any issues require immediate attention before moving in. The home inspector’s job doesn’t include uncovering every defect in the home.

They are more concerned with the more significant problems that make a home unsafe. An inspector will report that the air conditioning unit is too old and needs replacement, but they won’t report the peeling wallpaper or chipped paint on the walls. 

Is a Home inspection in New York mandatory in NYC?

First, it is a small price to avoid a nasty surprise you can encounter later. For example, some buyers will make their offers “contingent on inspections” given the cost of a home.

This means that their offer no longer applies if an inspection is unsatisfactory. However, most buyers will inspect the property after an offer is accepted to quickly analyze it before spending more time and money in the purchase process.

What to Expect From an Inspection Report

After examining the house’s interior and exterior, the inspector will create an official report showing existing home defects. The report will list those items that are defective or hazardous to your health. He includes pictures as a visual aid. The inspector’s job is to provide you with a detailed home inspection report.

An inspector sends the report directly to you, most likely by email. You’re looking for what can raise your attention to potential hazards, damages, or issues so you can see where the problem areas are. If one of those things is missing, your inspector’s report remains incomplete.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to read the report back-to-back and with a scrupulous eye before you start negotiating.

Ask questions

If there’s some technical jargon you don’t understand, the home inspector is there for you to respond to your questions and concerns. This is part of the inspector’s job.

Your real estate attorney should also understand the report, as it’s their job to help you negotiate your sales contract.

Attend the Home Inspection in New York in person.

You can walk through the house during the inspection with your inspector. Home inspectors encourage buyers and their real estate agents to attend the inspection to discuss the findings in person and ask questions. Since a visual inspection will make things more straightforward, shadowing the inspector is always a good idea.

Once you understand the report, you’ll have more buying power. The results of an inspection can help you decide whether to move forward with your purchase, and you can also use these results as a bargaining tool with the seller. If the house has been well-maintained, you should proceed with closing on the home.

Leverage the issues

If it isn’t, you should become a savvy negotiator. It would help if you used all the problem areas as leverage to bring down the house’s price through negotiations with the seller. Or you or your agent can convince the seller to fix all the components that are not in good working order, which can cost thousands.

If structural damage or a broken water heater becomes very pricey, the seller may not want to pay for the repairs and sell the home as-is.

When you have to make these expensive repairs and can’t afford them, you can walk away from the deal without penalty. If your contract has a home inspection contingency, you can do that.

A home inspection contingency

A home inspection contingency is a clause added to a real estate contract when a buyer offers a home. The offer to buy is contingent on the home inspection results. This means the prospective buyer can negotiate the repairs with the seller based on the inspection report results or cancel the sale outright.  

How much does a home inspection cost in New York? Who Pays for a Home Inspection in New York?

The buyer pays for the home inspection. First-time buyers are sometimes surprised that they have to pay for a home inspection cost and that the seller is entirely not responsible. The buyer’s responsibility is to hire the inspector, ensure the inspections are finished promptly, and, of course, shoulder the cost.

How much does a home inspection cost? While fees can vary depending on a home’s location, size, and age, a home inspection costs an average of $300 to $900.

However, remember what the inspector doesn’t test but needs to if you want your new house to be in tip-top shape. We’ll review what’s excluded and tell you what specialist you need to hire.

Where to Find a Professional Home Inspector in New York

Your real estate agent is your best bet; they have all the contacts and represent your best interests. However, a certified home inspector should be used since an inspection is integral to buying a home.

If friends or your agent don’t recommend an inspector, or if you want to research your own, use ASHI’s home inspector search tool or NACHI’s list of certified home inspectors in New York. Using these organizations will allow you to gauge the inspector’s experience before calling them, saving you time.

What a Home Inspection Includes in New York

It’s important to note that there is no standard inspection report. A condo differs from a co-op, and a house differs from a townhouse. Since all possible dwellings are separate, the inspector will give you a report revealing problem areas that another report doesn’t address.

If this is your first time buying a house and having an inspector examining it, you won’t know what an inspector inspects and what an inspector doesn’t inspect.

Inspections will vary. However, there are minimum standards of what an inspection entails. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has outlined standards and a home inspection checklist that includes the following conditions:

• The home’s heating system
• Central A/C system (temperature permitting)
• interior plumbing and electrical systems
• the roof
• attic and visible insulation
• walls and ceilings
• floors, windows, and doors
• the foundation
• basement and structural components​

Detailed home inspection checklist

• Pest control
• Swimming pools
• Asbestos
• Radon gas
• Lead paint
• Toxic mold

There is a consensus on what the inspector is hired to check. These include the following home inspection checklist:

• Foundation and basement
• Any additional structural components
• Interior plumbing systems
• Heating and cooling systems
• Interior electrical systems
• Condition of windows, doors, and door frames
• The attic and any visible insulation
• Major appliances
• Condition of floors, walls, ceilings, stairs
• Trees around the property (if applicable)
• Examination of the exterior of the house (if applicable)

What Doesn’t a Home Inspection Include?

A home inspection can tell you much about the house you plan to buy, but only if the components are readily and easily accessible. If you don’t know what a home inspection excludes, you should check with the American Society of Home Inspectors to discover your area’s specific requirements.

In New York City, the following are typically not included in a professional home inspection or are examined only superficially.

Water Safety issue

Inspectors generally do not test water from a municipal water system or a public well. However, a home inspector might do this in your co-op to check the water pressure and temperature to ensure the water heater works properly.

The inspector will not take water samples to have them tested for harmful microbes or toxic metals. But if you live in the suburbs or any rural area, the inspector will perform the testing,

Radon

Inspectors do not test radon, although it represents a high risk in many states. Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogenic gas that emanates from radioactive materials like uranium within the earth.

Roofs

Depending on the type of structure, the roof may not get tested. Of course, if you live in an apartment building, you won’t have to worry about this. Inspectors only address structures with flat roofs that are not difficult to access. However, homes with pitched roofs are not typically checked, even though they need the most attention.

If the task puts the inspector in peril, then it is not tested. Since a pitched roof needs a safety harness and a ladder for inspection, you may have to hire a roof specialist. An inspector will only inspect visible issues from the ground without a ladder, including visual and apparent damage or missing shingles.

Chimneys or Fireplaces

Inspectors will inspect chimneys, but only on a fundamental level. That means all they can do is shine a flashlight up the chimney. They ensure there is no obstruction and that the damper switches are working.

Therefore, you must hire a fireplace or chimney specialist to inspect thoroughly. This is an added cost, but if you use your fireplace regularly, you’ll need to hire the pros to inspect and clean it once a year or when necessary.

Mold

You may have mold if there’s water damage or if the house lacks proper waterproofing in areas like the bathroom and kitchen, where moist areas are prone to occur. Mold is another thing you need to test on your own. It would be best if you didn’t opt out, as mold can cause many health issues for homeowners and their families.

Asbestos/Lead

In the past, builders used asbestos and lead for insulation in homes. Unfortunately, if your home dates back to the 1980s, it may have asbestos or lead-containing materials.

Now that we know that asbestos and lead can affect your health, you should get your home tested. An inspector will not do it, and you may have to shell out more money to do the testing.

Pests

Some home inspectors test for pests. But not all of them are licensed to do that. If so, you must hire another professional if you don’t want to live with an infestation.

Pests include termites and flying beetles. If you see droppings, they may not be from mice but signs of wood-boring insects.

Is a Home Inspection Necessary?

No law requires a buyer or a seller to conduct an inspection when purchasing or selling any home. However, a home inspection will give you a good picture of what you’re getting into. It’s important to consider all the hidden costs (i.e., the costs that an inspector doesn’t or can’t see) needed to repair, renovate, or replace any significant or minor structure.

As suggested, you will have more negotiating power when you finalize the sales contract.

When Does the Home Inspection Take Place in New York?

The buyer’s inspection should happen after the buyer makes an offer to a seller and accepts the terms. However, it happens before the sales contract is signed. Some home buyers choose to inspect the home after signing the contract.

However, this is not advised as it can extend the in-contract term limit because further negotiations may become drawn out. This may also mean that attorneys need to redraft the sales contract.

Thus, it’s in your best interest for the inspection to get completed before the sales contract is signed so all major negotiations can happen before going into the contract. But note here that you may need a second inspection if the seller has agreed to repair or renovate parts of the dwelling before closing.

What Happens Once All Inspections are Completed?

Buying a home may be the most expensive thing you’ll ever purchase. Thus, getting that home inspected should be a priority, no matter how many add-on professionals you’ll have to hire in addition to the certified home inspector. And in the end, it’s worth every penny to avoid costly problems arising after buying the home.

So, what happens once you complete all inspections? It’s the closing time! After you receive the inspector’s official report and take care of all the problems, you can finally sign on the dotted line and become the new homeowner of a house.

Who pays for the home inspection in NYC?

The buyer typically schedules it. Prices vary (usually range between $300-$900), but this is not the place to go for the cheapest option. The inspection remains crucial to determining the unit’s condition, and a professional and reliable study becomes necessary—the best way to find someone remains through referrals and recommendations. In summary, get an inspector that’s licensed and qualified.

We recommend our clients attend the inspection. Indeed, even though inspectors are professionals and will do their job correctly, they are not emotionally vested in the property and might overlook the details. Your presence will add value.

The inspector’s report will point out all deficiencies.

First, not every apartment will be perfect, so focusing on red flags is crucial. However, distinguishing between issues to fix and significant faults is essential. You can discuss these major flaws with the seller to reduce the sale price.

You can also address them before closing.

They don’t necessarily mean the deal is off. When you are ready to start reviewing listings, you will understand the benefits of a home inspection in NYC.

Best Home inspection companies in New York, NY

To obtain as much inspection coverage as possible, please make sure your broker directly schedules the inspection appointment with the person (i.e., listing broker, super) that has access to both the premises and the common areas (i.e., roof, boiler room, electrical room, etc.), if applicable.

1) Encompass Home Inspection LLC

5 Old Mill Rd Yorktown, NY 10598 914-804-9862  john@encompasshomeinspection.com John M. Harkins Jr.

2) Green Apple Home Inspections

(347) 622-1863 Benny@greenapplehomeinspections.com

3) Simon Hometech Inc. (NY State Licensed Home and Termite Inspectors)

Simon W. Wu and Kevin C. Wu         Phone: (718)-446-9698                       simonhometechinc@gmail.com

4) Glen Helder Home Inspection Service

Glen Helder Phone: (516)-244-0566  GHelder13@aol.com

5) Jerry Blecha

Professional Home Inspector NYS Lic.  16000005091 DEC Certified Pest Inspector Healthy Home Inspector Cell # 917-902-7533 Jerry@HomeSpectorInc.com

5) HomeSpector Inc.

Farmingdale, Long Island, NY Office  Phone # 516-851-5833 Tommy@HomeSpectorInc.com HomeSpectorInc.com

---