How Long Is A House Inspection Report Good For Anyway?
How Long Is A House Inspection Report Good For Anyway?
Believe it or not, we actually get this question quite a bit. We also have heard of real estate professionals and current homeowners passing around a house inspection report like sharing a bag of potato chips. There is nothing inherently wrong about it. If someone hires and pays for a service, he/she is entitled to share the findings with whomever they please. That isn’t the problem. The problem with recycling a house inspection report is multi-fold.
Just as you wouldn’t rely on a weather report from two weeks, two months, or even two years ago to plan an outdoor event, don’t rely on an outdated inspection report to purchase your future home. It simply isn’t wise nor does it make any sense and we will share why. Let’s break it all down.
A home inspection and report is a snapshot in time. It summarizes the home’s overall condition only for the date and time of the inspection. Think about a house inspection report as a still photograph. Whatever is captured at that moment is an accurate picture of reality and anything outside of that moment is not. Technically speaking, the report becomes outdated the moment the inspector leaves the premises.
Recycling a home inspection report is being short-sighted. There have been all kinds of potential changes to the condition of the home since the inspection took place, including weather events, minor issues that have worsened, infestations of termites and/or other pests, new defects have surfaced, and any repairs that have taken place since the inspection. You may think you’re saving a few bucks by reusing a house inspection report, but the consequences of that decision could be extensive. It's like using a dating app and assuming that someone’s profile picture is what they look like now, but in reality it’s a photo from 20 years ago… yikes! The change is drastic and shocking. Do not fall prey. The cost of an inspection is peanuts compared to the value of the home. If this doesn’t convince you, read more on our blog about what a home inspection is and why you need one.
3. A home inspection is not a warranty of the home’s condition, not at the time of the inspection nor at any future date, which completely decimates the argument to rely on an old or recycled house inspection report. The house inspection report is not technically exhaustive and it carries no guarantee.
4. An outdated report can inadvertently and unfairly damage a home inspector’s reputation if the home’s condition has substantially changed. A buyer who is not the home inspector’s client can make unfounded complaints based on a report that was never meant for him/her. Please take this advice seriously, as hardworking and ethical home inspectors do not deserve to be misrepresented.
5. Recycling a house inspection report is a liability. A good home inspector should not be placed in the middle of a report that was provided to a paying client. If the client shares the report with a future buyer, the inspector has no obligation to discuss any findings with the potential buyer. The potential buyer is NOT the inspector’s client. Our recommendation is to hire a home inspector to perform a new home inspection on the property to provide an accurate picture of the home’s overall condition at present day. This decision would be best for everyone and reaps the most benefits for the homebuyer.
6. Not all home inspectors are created equal. There are great home inspectors, good ones, and bad ones. Think about it. You have no idea how the home inspector was chosen. The former buyer who hired the home inspector may not have done a diligent job researching and hiring the inspector with the best qualifications, experience, etc. You have no way of knowing if the home inspection report is quality. What if the inspector missed key defects/components of the home, hurried through the inspection, or had a vested interest in the property? There were so many variables to the home inspection that you were not privy to and that’s a scary thought. Perhaps the buyer hired the cheapest inspector or whoever was available within a tight timeline. From our experience, cheap is not a valid criteria for hiring a professional of any kind. In the home inspection field, you truly get what you pay for, so you’ve been warned.
Hopefully we sufficiently answered the question, “How long is a house inspection report good for?” and you now know that a house inspection report is only good for that specific date and time of when the inspection takes place. Always get a current inspection on any property you plan to purchase. It’s not worth the potentially disastrous outcome if you skip the inspection. Your home investment journey should be as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, so please heed our advice and get the inspection.
If you’re avoiding a home inspection because you think it’s daunting, push away the feeling. Don’t let a lie stop you from getting a house inspection. A great home inspector will walk you through everything and help you feel at ease with the entire process, from start to finish. Getting a home inspection is really simple. You need the right home inspector for the job, though. Read our blog post on how to choose the right home inspector for you.
Now What?
We are consistently told that we are the best Des Moines home inspector in town. We’re excited to serve you, so connect with us for your home inspection service by giving us a call or use our online form to schedule.
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