You probably take your car in to your mechanic for regular maintenance, but do you give the same kind of care to your largest investment: your home?
Keeping up on your home’s maintenance issues will help you identify problems early, which could help save you money in the long run.
Though many people think of a home inspection as a tool to use only when they are buying or selling a home, hiring a home inspector can be useful for homeowners who have been in their house for a number of years.
“Most people are too busy with work, kids and everyday life to properly maintain their home,” said Mike Chamberlain of MC2 Home Inspections, LLC in Plainfield. “Their number one investment tends to get put by the wayside and not taken care of. We can come in and do a home inspection for a current homeowner and let them be aware of some of the items that are being neglected because they are so busy.”
Chriss Cheatham with Homeworx Inc., Indianapolis, recommends her company’s “Home Preservation Inspection” every 12 to 18 months.
“We have yet to perform an inspection that the homeowner did not learn or discover something new about their home,” Cheatham said. “When we are performing an inspection for a homeowner, as much as anything else, they appreciate the inspection findings and utilize this information as input when prioritizing repair needs.”
Chamberlain said he frequently sees problems with homeowner do-it-yourself projects for which the proper building permits were not pulled or the work was done improperly, and often, unsafely.
“Electrical items and plumbing items are probably two of the most common violations that we see,” Chamberlain said. “People that watch a little too much HGTV get in and do electrical work themselves and will double tap on breakers (using one circuit breaker for multiple wires) stuff like that. Another one would be if the homeowner had an addition put onto the house and didn’t obtain a permit. That would probably hold up the closing (if the homeowner tried to sell) quite a bit until the permits are obtained.”
Cheatham said she often sees issues related to poor insulation and exposed moisture entry points.
“The most common maintenance items found during a home preservation inspection involve caulking around the home’s windows and doors,” Cheatham said. “Recommendations are made to make sure gutters are cleaned on a routine basis and that downspouts are free of debris. Homes of all eras benefit from regular and routine exterior maintenance to prevent moisture entry from creating larger issues and concerns.”
Just as with a home inspection for buyers, reputable inspectors will look at your plumbing, heating, electrical, structure and roof.
Home inspectors aren’t required to be licensed in Indiana, so do a little extra research to find a qualified and reputable inspector to examine your home. Ask for proof of insurance and independent certification, like the National Association of Home Inspectors or the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Cost will vary according to the size of the home and other factors, such as if there is a basement or crawlspace, but typically ranges from $200 to $400.
Angie Hicks is a Fishers resident and founder of Angie’s List, a national provider of ratings in more than 550 categories of service.Keeping up on your home’s maintenance issues will help you identify problems early, which could help save you money in the long run.
Though many people think of a home inspection as a tool to use only when they are buying or selling a home, hiring a home inspector can be useful for homeowners who have been in their house for a number of years.
“Most people are too busy with work, kids and everyday life to properly maintain their home,” said Mike Chamberlain of MC2 Home Inspections, LLC in Plainfield. “Their number one investment tends to get put by the wayside and not taken care of. We can come in and do a home inspection for a current homeowner and let them be aware of some of the items that are being neglected because they are so busy.”
Chriss Cheatham with Homeworx Inc., Indianapolis, recommends her company’s “Home Preservation Inspection” every 12 to 18 months.
“We have yet to perform an inspection that the homeowner did not learn or discover something new about their home,” Cheatham said. “When we are performing an inspection for a homeowner, as much as anything else, they appreciate the inspection findings and utilize this information as input when prioritizing repair needs.”
Chamberlain said he frequently sees problems with homeowner do-it-yourself projects for which the proper building permits were not pulled or the work was done improperly, and often, unsafely.
“Electrical items and plumbing items are probably two of the most common violations that we see,” Chamberlain said. “People that watch a little too much HGTV get in and do electrical work themselves and will double tap on breakers (using one circuit breaker for multiple wires) stuff like that. Another one would be if the homeowner had an addition put onto the house and didn’t obtain a permit. That would probably hold up the closing (if the homeowner tried to sell) quite a bit until the permits are obtained.”
Cheatham said she often sees issues related to poor insulation and exposed moisture entry points.
“The most common maintenance items found during a home preservation inspection involve caulking around the home’s windows and doors,” Cheatham said. “Recommendations are made to make sure gutters are cleaned on a routine basis and that downspouts are free of debris. Homes of all eras benefit from regular and routine exterior maintenance to prevent moisture entry from creating larger issues and concerns.”
Just as with a home inspection for buyers, reputable inspectors will look at your plumbing, heating, electrical, structure and roof.
Home inspectors aren’t required to be licensed in Indiana, so do a little extra research to find a qualified and reputable inspector to examine your home. Ask for proof of insurance and independent certification, like the National Association of Home Inspectors or the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Cost will vary according to the size of the home and other factors, such as if there is a basement or crawlspace, but typically ranges from $200 to $400.
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