A maintenance inspection is essentially the same as a standard home inspection, but the inspection is done for the current owner. Most of these homeowners have been in their homes for over five years, and they may or may not have had their homes inspected when they purchased them. One slight difference between a buyer’s and a home maintenance inspection is that we don’t test the appliances during a maintenance inspection. Homeowners already know about every little quirky issue with their appliances; they don’t need me to test the burners on their stoves. We do inspect the installation of the appliances, though.
We check out all the crucial systems of your home—roof, walls, foundation, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing—and flag anything that might be starting to malfunction.
Like an annual physical, a maintenance inspection can catch issues early and give you the peace of mind of a clean bill of health.
What happens during a home maintenance inspection?
Like at a pre-purchase inspection, we will walk you through the home, showing you what was found and explaining what it means. You should have a chance to ask questions or get clarifications, and usually, the inspector will point out things you should be doing regularly to keep your home’s systems functioning in tip-top shape.
Then, in a few days, you’ll get a written report detailing everything we found. In this case, instead of asking the seller to fix or pay for the things on your list, you’re in charge of tackling the to-do list. Think of it as an itemized punch list to address whenever you choose.
Prices vary depending on the area and size of the home, but the average range is $400–$600. Considering that the fee for electrical, foundation, or roof repairs can be three to four times higher, that’s a great deal. When it comes down to it, a home maintenance inspection is a cost-effective way to keep your home in tip-top shape.
