Hiring a Home Inspector in Eagle River and Vilas County WI

What is a Home Inspector?

A home inspector is an important resource for homeowners. They offer an unbiased, objective view on the performance of your home and its systems. With a 3-4 hour examination, a home inspector can provide a thorough report identifying possible problems in your home’s performance.

A home inspector should not be confused with a code or building inspector. Code inspectors are utilized throughout the building process of a new home to ensure that your contractor is meeting all local codes. Although this is an important step of new home construction, a code inspector can only verify that the rules are being followed – not evaluate the long-term performance of existing structures.

Why and When Do I Need a Home Inspection?

A professional home inspector can give a homeowner a sense of security, along with more knowledge about their home and its systems. You can be alerted to coming problems and possibly prevent yourself costly repairs in the future. Home inspectors are often called when a homeowner is preparing their property for sale – making small repairs can increase the home’s value and allow a higher selling point. Home buyers often employ home inspectors to be alerted to potential problems and future expenses, prior to committing to such an important investment.

How is a Home Inspection Done?

By taking the time to walk through and inspect all the components that make up your home, an inspector can offer a fairly thorough report of your home’s performance. It should be noted that, even with a home inspection, it is sometimes necessary to call a specialist. For example, a home inspector may visually inspect your roof but might not be able to detect underlying problems like a roofing contractor would. A typical home inspection involves the following areas of your home:

• Interior – walls, ceilings, floors, doors, stairs
• Fireplaces –proper installation, performance of vents and flues
• Ventilation/insulation – is appropriate insulation correctly installed? Are there signs of excess moisture?
• Heating/Air-conditioning – heating systems and vents
• Electrical systems – breakers, fuses, outlets, wiring
• Plumbing – water supply, drainage systems, water heater, pipes
• Exterior – doors, windows, siding, porches, sidewalks
• Roofing – check for wear, missing shingles, skylights, chimneys
• Structure – foundation, framing

Who Should I Call for a Home Inspection?

When choosing a home inspector, make sure to check credentials, licenses and experience. In Wisconsin, a home inspector must register with the state and pass an exam. Members of the American Society of Home Inspectors or National Association of Certified Home Inspectors are held to higher standards than just state-licensed inspectors. If you are looking for an inspection prior to buying a home, it’s a good idea to choose a home inspector that is independent from the real estate agency to ensure an unbiased report. And make sure to consider experience – not all licensed home inspectors are equal. An experienced home inspector will have knowledge about building construction and all of your home’s important systems.

In the Eagle River area, homeowners can call Homestead Inspections LLC out of Eagle River for a quality and professional home inspector. John Zirzow performs all home inspections himself, and offers a variety of inspections on a flexible schedule for a decent price. Homestead Inspections LLC can be reached online or by calling (715) 479-4151.

North Twin Builders Blog provides valuable information and useful tips for Eagle River area homeowners