Are you about to purchase your first home in Missouri? Home purchasing is an exciting and nerve-wracking time for first-time homebuyers. A home purchase requires thousands of dollars. This considerable amount and the lengthy home buying process make things overwhelming for home buyers. Looking for a great neighborhood, searching through thousands of home listings, attending open houses, loan approval, and the list goes on. The good news is, where there are nervous home buyers, there also are great home inspectors, realtors, and loan financers to help them sail through the process with much ease. All these professionals are part of your home purchase process till it reaches its closing.
Finding a good realtor will make shortlisting homes that fit your budget and liking easy. Then, a mortgage company will approve your loan. However, the burden of selecting the perfect house for yourself lies on your shoulders alone. Problems can only be identified in homes once you start living in them, so how do you know the home you like does not have any faults or issues. To help you cross this hurdle, a reasonable home inspector steps in. Let’s assume you are purchasing a home in St Louis, Missouri.
You will have a St Louis home inspection to ensure your investments remain safe. If you want to get a St Louis home inspection, you will have to research Missouri’s best home inspection saint louis companies. Home Inspections ensure the home you buy provides you a comfortable living, free of problems and surprises.
A St Louis Home inspection is a visual check of all the structural and functional components of a house. A home inspection saint louis involves a stringent check of almost 1600 things in a home. Listing those 1600 parts might make this article lengthy so let’s focus on the significant parts inspected. Below is a checklist for these parts.
What is The Checklist For A Home Inspection?
A home inspection saint louis mo checklist can be divided into structural and functional parts. The structural components include :
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Foundation:
The foundation of the home supports the load-bearing walls and floors. A home’s foundation is commonly made up of concrete.
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Frame:
The home framing consists of studs, lintels, and wall plates with nail wall coverings. These vertical and horizontal members form a house’s interior partitions and exterior walls.
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Roof:
A roof structure is made up of joists, trusses, and rafters. This gives a roof its framework and shape. Sheathing or boards are fastened to the rafters, and shingles, tiles, and slate cover the top. Flashing is used to avoid water seepage.
The Functional Components Of A House Consist Of:
- Windows & Doors
- Plumbing Systems
- Electrical Systems
- HVAC
How Much Is Home Inspection n Missouri?
A quality inspection performed by a licensed inspector from a credible home inspection can vary between $350- $400 for a standard-sized home. Home inspection costs vary with the size and the condition of a house. A new home is more accessible to inspect than one built decades ago and perhaps has outdated aged systems. If you plan on having a home inspection in St Louis, MO, it is better to ask your home inspection st. louis company for an estimate. Many inspection companies provide free services such as an energy audit with their home inspections. Check whether the company you are choosing offers any free benefits or warranties.
What is A Home Inspector Liable For?
Unfortunately, Missouri does not require any licensing for anyone to become a home inspector. But, on the other hand, all home inspectors must follow laws and fair trade practices.
However, home inspectors carry error and omissions or general liability insurance to protect themselves from any mistakes they might make or overlook in a home inspection.
How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost in St Louis?
The cost of a home inspection in St Louis Mo ranges from $300 to $500. This price can vary with the condition of the house. The size and any additional inspections that may be required can affect the price of a home as well. It is best to make price comparisons and ask certified home inspection companies for estimates before finalizing anyone.
A home inspection in St. Louis, MO county is performed according to zip codes. Inspectors are assigned specific zip codes. Depending on workload in a zip code, an inspector may pass on inspections to another inspector. Inspections are set according to area maps in St Louis. If you want a home inspection from a reliable company, schedule an inspection with Hawley Inspections LLC. Their inspectors are the best qualified globally and have been serving St Louis Metro and southwestern Illinois with quality home inspections since 2010.
What is A Building Inspection?
A building inspectìon is an inspection performed by a building inspector. A city building inspector is usually appointed by the city, township, or county. The inspectors are qualified to assess buildings and judge whether a building meets the county code requirements.
What is A St Louis City Occupancy Inspection Checklist?
A St Louis city occupancy inspection is a visual examination of the interior and exterior of a property. The process is to ensure the houses in st Louis city comply with city codes such as city property codes and building codes, and other laws and regulations. In addition, all the businesses require commercial occupancy permits in the city.
A residential occupancy checklist includes:
Exterior:
- Grading & Drainage
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Infestation
- Side roofing
Windows operable - Foundation and Structure
- Sanitary
- Guardrails
- Handrails
- Sanitary conditions
- Trash and recycling
- Decks and porches
- Gas meters
- Landscaping
- Peeling paint
- Windows and window screens
Interior:
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Kitchens
- Plumbing fixtures
- Sinks, cabinets, vanities
- Fire extinguishers
- Floors and walls
- Water heaters
- Electrical wiring
- Light fixtures
- Sump pumps
- Windowless bathrooms and exhausts
- Bedroom outlets
- Basements
- Heaters
- Flue pipes
Bedroom Occupancy:
- 70 square feet – 1 occupant
- 100 square feet – 2 occupants
- 130 square feet – 3 occupants
- Sleeping rooms shall not be the only means of access to other sleeping rooms; there are no beds in kitchens and living rooms.
- Bedroom doors must be minimum of 28”w 6’-6” h
- Bedroom windows sill height, max 44”.
- Bedroom egress window minimum opening height 24” and width 20” or greater
- Living space above a garage must have a minimum of 5/8” along with fire code sheetrock on the ceiling of the garage