Will a Home Inspector Tell You How Long Something Can Last?

A home inspector is going to evaluate the home you plan to buy or sell. They will adhere to specific standards and create a report about their findings. Systems will be tested, areas of the home will be examined, and the inspector will look at the safety of the property, too.

An Inspection is a Form of Quality Control

As a homebuyer, you get a home inspection done as a form of quality control. Your inspection will give you an idea of what to expect from different areas of the home. While your home inspector will find defects and issues you might need to address, they won’t provide an idea of how long something will last in the home.

Typically, a home inspector will give you an idea of the condition of something, such at the HVAC system. While they might have an idea of how long something will last, often, they won’t provide their opinion on the matter. Instead, they will likely provide the age of the system and the condition.

Life Expectancy is Hard to Predict

One of the main reasons you shouldn’t expect a home inspector to provide an idea of how long something will last is it’s hard to predict. There are many factors that go into how long a system in your home will last. For example, a bad storm could damage an HVAC system a lot faster than if your system never has to go through a storm.

Taking proper care of systems in a home will also help ensure they last longer, but not every homeowner keeps up with regular maintenance. Some homeowners, for example, will have the HVAC system serviced once or twice a year, while others won’t have it serviced a single time. 

Home inspectors cannot predict how you will take care of the home after you purchase it. They also cannot predict the weather or other factors that might impact the lifestyle of the system in your home. 

Why a Home Inspection is So Important

While a home inspector will likely not tell you that the HVAC system is going to last another five years, they can still provide you with very useful information. For example, if there is already an issue with the HVAC system or another part of the home, they will likely find it and report it to you. 

If you’re planning to buy a home, it’s important to understand why a home inspection is so important. Here are a few reasons you need a good home inspector when buying a home.

An Inspection Can Provide You with Warning Signs

Your home inspector will provide a report when they are done looking at the systems of the home. They will let you know of any defects or safety concerns they find. This information is very helpful as some warning signs can give you a better idea of how long something will last. 

The inspection report can also help pinpoint small issues that could lead to a larger issue. Your home inspector, if they are good, will identify subtle signs that can help you get a better idea of the issues with the property.

You can Negotiate for Repairs

Often, a home inspection gives your real estate agent a list of negotiations. You can go over the report with them and decide if you want the homeowner to repair an issue or lower the list price for the repair. 

In the event something needs to be repaired, you can get a better idea of how long something will last. For example, if the HVAC system has to be replaced and your agent negotiates this, you will likely have a warranty on this new system. 

These are just two of the many reasons why a home inspection is so important. While you might not find out how long something will last from your home inspector, you will find out quite a bit about the property before you finalize the deal.