A home inspection may seem intimidating or almost irrelevant, but it’s a vital step in your process of purchasing a home, whether here in Wyoming or anywhere else. A home is the most expensive investment most people will ever make, and a detailed home inspection provides the information that you need to make the best decision about this purchase.

This page covers some of the most common questions about home inspections, both in general as well as home inspections in Wyoming. Please contact us by email at frontierinspectionsllc@gmail.com or by phone at 307-670-3706 if you have additional questions that are not covered here on this page.

What is a home inspection?

According to the InterNACHI Standards of Practice (SOPs):

“A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property, performed for a fee, which is designed to identify defects within specific systems and components defined by these Standards that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector. The scope of work may be modified by the Client and Inspector prior to the inspection process.”

Note: InterNACHI is the world’s leading association for home inspectors. We follow InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice for our home inspections.

What is included in a home inspection?

A thorough home inspection reviews many systems in the home in an attempt to identify any observable defects that a home buyer or homeowner would want to know about. Some of the things that we look at during an inspection include:

  • The roof covering materials, gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, and other roof penetrations; and the general structure of the roof from readily accessible panels, doors, or stairs.
  • The exterior wall covering materials; the eaves, soffits, and fascia; a representative number of windows; exterior doors; flashing and trim; adjacent walkways and driveways; stairs, steps, stoops, stairways, and ramps; porches, patios, decks, balconies, and carports; railings, guards, and handrails; and vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property, where they may adversely affect the structure due to moisture intrusion.
  • The foundation, basement, or crawlspace, and structural components.
  • The heating system, using normal operating controls.
  • The cooling system, using normal operating controls.
  • The main water supply shut-off valve; the main fuel supply shut-off valve; the water heating equipment, including the energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing; interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, by running the water; all toilets for proper operation, by flushing; all sinks, tubs, and showers for functional drainage; the drain, waste, and vent system; and drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.
  • The electric service drop; the overhead service conductors and attachment point; the service head, gooseneck, and drip loops; the service mast, service conduit, and raceway; the electric meter base; service entrance conductors; the main service disconnect; panel boards and over-current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses); service grounding and bonding; a representative number of switches, lighting fixtures, and receptacles, including receptacles observed and deemed to be arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protected using the AFCI test button, where possible; all ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles and circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs using a GFCI tester, where possible; and for the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Readily accessible and visible portions of the fireplaces and chimneys; lintels above the fireplace openings; damper doors by opening and closing them, if readily accessible and manually operable; and cleanout doors and frames.
  • Insulation in unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces, and foundation areas; ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces, and foundation areas; and mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry area.
  • A representative number of doors and windows by opening and closing them; floors, walls, and ceilings; stairs, steps, landings, stairways, and ramps; railings, guards, and handrails; and garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers using normal operating controls.

Does a home inspection guarantee that I won’t have any problems with a home?

No. During a home inspection, we carefully examine the accessible parts of a home and report on any defects or areas of concern that are observed and identified during the inspection. A home inspection does not involve predictions about the future condition of the home.

Will a home inspection reveal every possible problem with a home?

No. A home inspection is a point-in-time snapshot of the condition of the home as observed by an inspector. There may be parts of the home that are not accessible during the inspection, and there may be defects that are not visible to the inspector.

Will my home “pass” an inspection?

A home inspection report does not assign a pass/fail grade to any home. A thorough home inspection will always reveal issues with a home because all homes have issues – even brand new homes. The purpose of a home inspection is not to determine if a house passes or fails, but to provide detailed information about the condition of the home so that you can make an informed decision.

What is the purpose of a home inspection?

The purpose of a home inspection is to provide you with as much information about the condition of the home as possible.

Do I really need a home inspection?

Yes! A home inspection is an important tool in understanding as much as possible about the condition of a home. Home repairs are often costly so a thorough home inspection may save you a considerable amount of money. An inspection also allows you to be aware of things that may become a problem in the future so you can monitor those issues and be prepared for possible future expenses.

What should I look for in a home inspector?

All home inspectors should be properly certified or licensed. Wyoming does not have a licensing requirement for home inspectors, but I voluntarily became a Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) to demonstrate that I am qualified and prepared as a home inspector. Becoming a CPI requires quite a bit of coursework and a number of exams, as well as continuing education requirements each year.

It is also important that any home inspector is insured. Frontier Inspections, LLC carries industry standard business insurance.

Finally, you should be comfortable working with a home inspector, be confident that the inspector is looking out for your best interests, and you should be able to address any questions or concerns about the inspection with your home inspector.

Is a home inspection really worth the money?

Yes! It’s understandable to feel that a home inspection is just one more expense during an already expensive home-buying process. The expense of a home inspection, however, is minimal compared to the potential savings – not to mention peace of mind for you as a homeowner.

  • A roof replacement on an average home in 2023 may cost $10,000 to $15,000. The cost can rise dramatically if additional repairs are required due to water damage or structural problems.
  • The cost to replace an HVAC system in 2023 may cost anywhere from $5,000 up to $12,000 or more.
  • Replacing a water heater may cost nearly $1,000 on the low end up to several thousand dollars.

These are only a few examples of potentially expensive repairs that a homeowner may face over time. You owe it to yourself to be as informed as possible about the condition of your home. As one old saying goes, forewarned is forearmed.

Who does the home inspector really work for anyway?

As a home inspector, I work for you! My role is to perform the most thorough inspection that I am able to perform and to provide you with as much information about the home as possible so that you can make an informed decision.

Schedule Your Inspection

Whether you are considering purchasing a new home, selling your existing home, or staying informed about maintenance on your current home a professional home inspection provides outstanding value.

Choosing Frontier Inspections, LLC for your inspection needs assures that you will work with a friendly professional who is a Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) and FAA license drone pilot. We are also fully insured.

Contact Frontier Inspections, LLC for your Wyoming inspection needs by email at frontierinspectionsllc@gmail.com or by phone at 307-670-3706.