Click here to go to PowerHouse TV Home  

 
   
 
Saving Energy
Safety
Your Home

 

Your Home: Home Inspections

If you’re considering buying a new home – or even if you’ve lived in the same home for a while – a home inspection is a great investment.

A home inspection is a top-to-bottom examination of your house by a certified inspector, who will document things that need replacement, repair or maintenance.

View a sample home inspection report [PDF format]

How it works

A typical home inspection – which you are encouraged to participate in - will cover:

  • The physical structure, including walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation and attic;
  • The condition of the heating and cooling systems;
  • Plumbing and electrical systems;
  • Visible insulation; and
  • The roof.

If any potential problems are detected, the inspector will show you exactly what’s wrong and how to fix it.

A home inspection will cost between $200 and $500, depending on your location, and the age and size of the home.

Megan and home inspector Tony Smith

Find a certified
home inspector
near you

The benefits

The purchase of a home is probably the largest single investment you’ll ever make – and wet basements, leaky roofs, dangerous wiring or aging furnaces can quickly decrease the value of your investment.

By accompanying a certified home inspector through your home, you’ll see first-hand the potential trouble spots that need attention. You’ll have the knowledge to maintain or repair items to avoid costly emergency replacements.

Finding a qualified home inspector

Your realtor can provide you with a list of certified home inspectors in your area, or you can visit the American Society of Home Inspectors Web site.

 
  PowerHouse TV is presented by Alliant Energy
 
Questions? Call 1-800-ALLIANT (1-800-255-4268), use our Contact Us form, or e-mail us.    Legal & Copyright | Privacy