For a lot of good reasons.
First, you need to know what kind of condition your home is in (it’s the things we can’t see that scare us). This is especially true if the home has been vacant for any period of time.
Second, it would be outrageously expensive to call out a licensed professional to evaluate the condition of every single system and component in a home. For example, let’s say we have the hourly rates of certified professionals:
- Electrician = $95/hour
- HVAC technician = $85/hour
- Roofer = $85/hour
- Foundation specialist = $80/hour
- Plumber = $95/hour
- A good handyman for everything else = $100/hour
This way, a 2-hour inspection of every component in a home would easily cost over $890 for the standard-sized home (approx. 1,500 ft2) and would also be a nightmare coordinating all of them to show up and then deliver their findings during your inspection period.
Third, you may run into “Rush Charges” of 20% or more by these technicians because these professionals have to squeeze you into their busy schedule during your short inspection period.
Fourth, these technicians don’t provide professional inspection reports for their findings, which your lender requires.
Fifth, though these are technical professionals, trained in their field to troubleshoot and repair. They are not trained to evaluate and troubleshoot a whole home.
Lastly, because no house is perfect.
There is always something to be found in every home, which might lead to problems later.
