Buying a home is one of the biggest investments most people will make in their lifetime. Before signing on the dotted line, it’s crucial to have a certified home inspection in Denver to evaluate the condition of the property and uncover any potential issues. Here’s what you need to know about home inspections in Denver and what to expect from the process.
Overview of a Home Inspection
A home inspection is a detailed visual examination of both the interior and exterior of a home. The inspection covers the physical structure, construction materials, systems and components of the home including:
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Foundations and basements
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Framing
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Roofs
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Plumbing systems
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Electrical systems
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HVAC systems
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Appliances
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Interior rooms and exterior areas
The goal of a certified home inspection in Denver is to identify material defects, safety hazards, broken or malfunctioning equipment, and any items that need repair or replacement. While inspectors won’t be able to find every minor flaw, they can determine if major systems are functioning properly and identify issues that could turn into costly repairs down the road.
Home inspections are performed by licensed professionals who have received extensive training and certification. Inspectors use specialized tools and equipment during the inspection such as moisture meters, outlet testers, infrared cameras, and more. They also rely on their expertise and knowledge of building codes and construction standards.
In Denver, home inspectors must be licensed through the state of Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies. Licensure requires inspectors to pass an exam, meet educational requirements, and complete continuing education courses. This helps ensure they have the proper skills and qualifications to conduct accurate home inspections.
What’s Inspected During a Home Inspection?
A standard home inspection examines the following areas and systems:
Exterior Areas
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Roof covering materials and condition
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Chimneys, flashings, and vents
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Gutters and downspouts
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Siding, trim, windows, and doors
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Attached decks, porches, and balconies
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Driveways, walkways, patios, and retaining walls
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Grading and drainage around the home
Structural Frame and Foundation
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Foundation construction and condition
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Floor, wall, and ceiling framing
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Attics and roof framing
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Crawl spaces, basements, and slabs
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Signs of settlement cracks or shifting
Roof and Attic
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Roof structure, sheathing, and coverings
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Evidence of leaks or moisture damage
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Attic insulation, ventilation, and air sealing
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Soil stacks, exhaust vents, and ductwork
Plumbing System
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Water supply and distribution pipes
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Drain, waste, and vent pipes
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Faucets, fixtures, valves, and water pressure
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Water heaters, fuel storage, and exhaust venting
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Sump pumps, ejector pumps, and well components
Electrical System
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Service entrance, meter box, and grounding equipment
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Main and sub-panels, breakers, and fuses
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Light fixtures, switches, receptacles, and wiring
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GFCIs, AFCIs, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors
HVAC Systems
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Heating equipment and operating controls
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Ductwork, registers, fans, filters, and flues
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Cooling equipment and condensate drain lines
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Normal operating functions and temperatures
Interior Areas
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Walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows
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Steps, stairways, railings, and guardrails
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Ventilation, insulation, and vapor retarders
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Built-in appliances and plumbing fixtures
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Outlets, switches, and lighting fixtures
Garage
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Walls, floors, doors, windows, and fire separation
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Vehicle doors, openers, safety sensors
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Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems
Pest Inspection
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Evidence of wood boring insects, termites, carpenter ants or pest conducive conditions
What to Expect During a Home Inspection
A typical home inspection takes 2-3 hours to complete for a single family home. The inspection process generally goes as follows:
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Walkthrough tour. The inspector will first tour the home with you to gain an initial impression of the property’s condition. This allows them to develop an inspection plan.
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Visual examination. The inspector will then conduct a meticulous visual examination of the interior and exterior, from the roof to the foundation and everything in between. They will look for material defects, wear and tear, and signs of potential problems.
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Operation of systems. The inspector will operate systems and components through normal user controls to evaluate their functioning. This includes running the HVAC, testing receptacles and light fixtures, turning on faucets, flushing toilets, checking exhaust fans, and more.
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Attic and roof inspection. The inspector will evaluate the roof structure, sheathing, shingles/tiles, flashings, skylights, and chimneys for issues. In the attic, they will examine framing, ventilation, insulation, air sealing, ductwork, and moisture conditions.
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Exterior inspection. The home’s siding, windows, doors, decks, porches, railings, eaves, gutters, downspouts, and drainage will be inspected for proper installation and function.
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Basement/foundation inspection. Basements and crawl spaces will be evaluated for structural integrity, water intrusion, insulation, and ventilation. The home’s foundation will be examined for cracks, settlement, and other defects.
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Heating and cooling assessment. The full HVAC system will be inspected including the heating/cooling equipment, thermostat, distribution, vents, filters, and supplemental appliances.
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Plumbing inspection. Supply pipes, drain pipes, water pressure, water heater, fuel storage, vents, fixtures, and faucets will be examined throughout the home.
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Electrical inspection. The electrical service, meter, main/subpanels, breakers, wiring, switches, outlets, lights, detectors, and more will be inspected.
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Potential safety hazards. The inspector will look for issues like small electrical wires, asbestos materials, lead components, radon gas exposure, and more.
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Pest inspection. Evidence of wood boring insects, termites, carpenter ants or other pest conducive conditions may also be inspected.
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Appliances. Built-in appliances will be inspected for general operation and deficiencies.
Throughout the inspection, the inspector will review their findings with you and point out any areas of concern. They may provide tips on repairs, maintenance, and recommendations for any items needing replacement.
Estimated Costs of Home Inspection Services in Denver
The cost of a home inspection will depend on several factors, but here are typical price ranges in the Denver area:
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Basic visual inspection: $300 – $500 for single family homes under 3,000 sq ft. Larger luxury homes may cost $500 – $750.
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Radon testing: $150 – $250 standalone test. Often included with full inspection.
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Mold inspection: $300 – $500 to collect and lab test air/surface samples.
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Asbestos inspection: $400 – $700 to collect and lab test insulation, tile, and texture samples.
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Lead paint testing: $150 – $300 to use testing kits on surfaces.
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Infrared thermal imaging: $100 – $200 upcharge to scan for hidden moisture issues.
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Additional systems: Pool inspection $150 – $350. Septic system inspection $150 – $300. Well water test $100 – $250.
Many inspectors offer discounted package deals if you bundle services like radon, asbestos, lead, and mold testing with the standard inspection.
Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Very low-cost inspections may lead to missed issues. Average costs range $300 – $500 for single family homes under 3,000 sq ft in the Denver market.
Always verify the inspector’s credentials and ensure they carry liability insurance before hiring. This protects you in case of a missed major defect.
How to Prepare for a Home Inspection
To ensure a thorough inspection, keep these tips in mind before the inspector arrives:
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Clear clutter in cabinets, closets, basement, attic so all areas are accessible.
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Make sure all light bulbs are working to illuminate dark corners.
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Test to ensure all doors and windows open and close properly. Lubricate sticky mechanisms.
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Run taps and flush toilets to verify plumbing fixtures are functioning.
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Replace burned out smoke detector batteries. Disable security systems so doors/windows can be fully opened.
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Inform the inspector of any leaks, dripping faucets, unusual noises, or other problems you’ve experienced.
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Keep pets contained so they do not get underfoot. Restrain dogs for safety.
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Never allow real estate agents to be present during a home inspection! This could influence the inspector’s impartiality.
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Plan to be present during the inspection so the inspector can point out issues and you can ask questions.
An incomplete inspection due to cluttered rooms, locked doors, or inaccessible areas can miss critical defects and hazards. So prepare ahead and allow full access to the home.
The Bottom Line
A certified home inspection in Denver provides invaluable peace of mind before purchasing a home. While not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of all defects, a professional inspection can identify the majority of existing problems and help you make an informed buying decision.
Knowing the true condition of the home also puts you in a position to negotiate the best price to account for necessary repairs and replacements. This can potentially save you thousands in unseen issues after closing.
Despite the cost, a home inspection is one of the wisest investments you can make as a buyer. The insights you’ll gain about the property will be well worth the expense in the long run. So be sure to choose a licensed, experienced home inspector, ask lots of questions, and use the inspection report to your advantage as you move forward towards closing.
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