How a seller should prepare their home before a home inspection

Dear Homeowner,

We would like to start by thanking you for allowing us the opportunity to inspect your property on behalf of the buyers. We understand that we are guests in your home, and we will treat it with the utmost respect. Our goal with every inspection is to leave the home in the same condition as it was when we arrived.   

We understand that selling your home can be a large task, but to be sure that the inspection moves smoothly there are a few things that you can do to help.

Utilities:

Ensure that all utilities are turned on prior to the date of the inspection. This includes, but is not limited to, electric, gas and water. If we arrive on the property and the utilities are not on, and items within the house could not be inspected, a re-inspection fee of $100 will be assessed for the rescheduling and return trip to the property. 

Accessibility:

Prepare the property for inspection and provide direct access to the components in the house. If you have items blocking components that need to be inspected, please remove the obstructions so that the inspector can safely access the items. If you have locks on the electrical panel, gates or sprinkler controls, please remove the locks for the inspection. If you have a room or closet that is locked or closed, please have the door unlocked for the inspection.

Our inspector will need direct access to items such as; the attic access, HVAC equipment, electrical panels, water heaters, appliances, etc.

If an area is deemed inaccessible, a re-inspection fee of $100 will be assessed for the rescheduling and return trip to the property. 

Pets:

Even if they are friendly, for their own safety and the safety of our inspectors, it is best to secure or remove your pets from the property. Our team loves pets, however, we are on-site to perform a complex job and cannot be expected to look after animals too. Additionally, we do not want an animal, who is simply protecting their home, to accidentally injure one of our team members. We will not assume responsibility for pets within a home.

What will we be doing:

A home inspection is a non-invasive and non-destructive evaluation of the condition of the home. Simply, we will be evaluating and testing all systems in-order to determine proper functionality as well as evaluating the condition. During the course of the inspection we will be climbing on the roof, in the attic, running appliances (feel free to put clothes in the washing machine or dishwasher), running water in sinks, tubs, and showers, as well as flushing toilets and filling tubs. We will also open electrical panels, cabinets and testing outlets. Please know that we are not looking at or through personal items, we understand that the process is invasive and will remain respectful. 

During the inspection, we will be building the report for the client. In order to build the report, we will take many photos and videos of the property. If there is someone or something that you do not want recorded, please remove it in advance.  

Who will be in your home:

During an inspection there is the possibility for several people to be present during the inspection. From our team, there will be the inspector (or multiple inspectors). Additionally, we subcontract with other parties to perform services. Therefore there may also be a sewer inspector or termite inspector present during the inspection. 

It is also customary, at the end of the inspection, for the buyer to come view the property with the inspector. The buyer will likely be accompanied by their agent and they are often joined by additional family members. 

Valuables and breakables:

While we trust our inspectors to perform professionally, as we mentioned above, there may be some people in the house that we do not know. If you have anything that is expensive, irreplaceable, breakable, etc. Please remove it from the property or secure it properly. 

Additionally, our job is to open every door, cabinet, drawer and look in every nook or crevice. In the course of the inspection it is possible to accidentally bump or knock into something. If we remove that risk, it will be beneficial for all parties.

To assist the inspector, if you know something is not working correctly or is broken, please leave a note and we will not test it to avoid risk of damaging it further.  

Need an inspector? Choose Dwell Inspect Arizona: 

Are you buying a home in the greater Phoenix market? If so, you deserve to have a great home inspection exterince too! We would be honored if you chose the team at Dwell Inspect Arizona for your home purchase. We guarantee you will be happy with your home inspection from Dwell Inspect Arizona because our team has years of home inspection experience, friendly team members, hundreds of five-star reviews, a thorough and comprehensive report, and more (read this article: Top 10 Reasons Dwell Inspect Arizona is the Best Home Inspector).

To schedule your appointment call (480) 867 4599 or schedule online at www.dwellinspectaz.com/schedule-online