It’s not everyday you buy a home. According to the National Association of Realtors, while the length of home ownership varies greatly, the average time spent in a home before moving is about 13 years. This indicates that even if you had a home inspection when you bought your current home, you may not be entirely familiar with the process.

How long does a home inspection take?

The answer to this question will vary based on the home being inspected as well as the experience and thoroughness of the inspector. If the inspector you are hiring is scheduling multiple inspections per day and is providing a report on site, you can expect the inspection to go faster. Keep in mind, this may mean that the inspector is sacrificing a thorough inspection and using generic narratives when compiling your report in order to shorten the time of the inspection.

If you are looking for a more detailed inspection and time with the inspector afterwards to answer questions onsite, the process will take a little longer and you will likely get your report later that same day or the day after. Most inspections I have performed take about 3 hours, including the time on site to answer questions from clients and detailed reports are completed off site.

What are common defects found in a home inspection?

First, what is a defect? In Wisconsin, what constitutes a defect is now defined in the state’s statutes. A ““defect,” as defined in section 440.97 (2m), Wis. Stats., means a condition of any component of an improvement that a home inspector determines, on the basis of the home inspector’s judgment on the day of an inspection, would significantly impair the health or safety of occupants of a property or that, if not repaired, removed, or replaced, would significantly shorten or adversely affect the expected normal life of the component of the improvement”.

The most common defects I have seen on inspections are:

1. Electrical Problems – Inspectors routinely find electrical problems including missing or inoperative GFCI receptacles, missing junction box covers, double tapped circuit breakers and improperly wired remote distribution panels.

2. Deck Problems – Decks are often found to have issues with their construction. Some common problems are improper attachment to the home, missing or deficient installation of railings and unsafe construction of deck supports and beams.

3. Roofing Problems – Roofing issues can be detrimental to a home. Many of these problems, if not corrected, may ultimately lead to moisture intrusion and damage to the home. Problems often identified by inspectors are shingles past their useful life, deficient or missing flashing around roof penetrations and weak decking. Weak decking is often a sign of current or past issues with the roof and should be further evaluated by a roofing professional

What is included in a home inspection?

Home inspectors in Wisconsin are required to perform their inspection to a minimum standard of practice as outlined in Wisconsin statue. A home inspection in Wisconsin will cover at a minimum, the visual inspection of the following areas:

1. Structural components: Foundations, basements, crawlspaces columns, flooring systems and roofs

2. Exteriors: wall cladding, flashing and trim, windows, exterior doors, garages, decks balconies, stoops, patios, eaves, soffits and facia

3. Plumbing Systems: water supply and distribution, DWV (drain, waste, and vent) system, hot water systems, fuel storage and distribution systems and sump pumps

4. Electrical Systems: service entrance conductors, service equipment, grounding equipment, over current protection, main and remote distribution panels, branch circuit conductors, light fixtures, switches, receptacles, GFCI and AFCI protection, and smoke detectors

5. Interiors: walls, ceilings, floors, steps, stairways, balconies, railings, handrails, counters, sinks and cabinets, doors, windows, fire separation, and signs of water intrusion

6. Heating and Air Conditioning Systems: heating equipment (furnace, boiler, heat pump, etc), cooling equipment, thermostats, safety controls, fireplaces, chimneys, flues and vents

7. Insulation and Ventilation: ventilation of attics and foundations, interior venting systems (kitchen, bath, laundry), and insulation where needed

To see what a home inspection looks like, you can view a sample report here.