If you’ve owned a home for more than a few weeks, you know that there’s always something that needs to be fixed. It’s a fact of life that while a home is often a valuable and rewarding investment, it can also be time-consuming to make sure that every component in your house is working the way it should.

That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a home inspector—because despite what you might think, inspections are useful even after the home-buying process is over.

Below, we’ll take a look at what a home maintenance inspection is and what differentiates it from a standard home inspection. Then, we’ll go over four reasons why you should consider making a home maintenance inspection a regular part of your home care routine. 

What is a home maintenance inspection?

A home maintenance inspection is like a checkup for your home. It’s completed by a home inspector, who examines the entire property’s structure, components, and systems to look for anything that might be in need of replacement or repair. 

A thorough examination of the home will include, looking at things like:

• Walls, floors, and ceilings

• Windows

• HVAC system

• Roof and attic

• Basement and foundation

• Plumbing and sewage

• Electrical system

• Chimney

• The exterior of the home

This visual inspection typically takes anywhere from two to four hours, or even longer for large properties. It’s standard for the client to be present while I complete the walk-through of the home. 

Afterward, I will create a detailed inspection report and send it to the client within 24 hours. This report will include all of my findings, from minor issues to major problems. As a homeowner, you can use this report to make decisions on what types of repairs need to be completed to keep your home in good condition.

What’s the difference between a maintenance inspection and a standard home inspection?

Usually, when people reference a home inspection, they’re talking about the kind that’s performed before a home changes hands. 

~A standard home inspection is most commonly ordered by home buyers in the time period between when their offer on the home is accepted and when the purchase is finalized. This type of inspection helps buyers understand any visible issues with the home, including glaring (and potentially costly) problems that might need to be addressed before the sale is completed.

~A home maintenance inspection, by contrast, is one that’s ordered by the homeowner as a preventative measure to make sure their home doesn’t have any lurking issues that need to be dealt with immediately. Like its name suggests, this kind of inspection is part of the regular maintenance and upkeep of the home.

But regardless of the reason for the inspection, the process should look the same. In a home maintenance inspection, the only differences may be:

• The inspector may skip over your appliances. In a usual inspection, the I would run the dishwasher or test the washer and dryer if they’re included in the home purchase. But if the home isn’t changing hands, this type of testing usually isn’t necessary, since you’re already familiar with the appliances and know whether they work.

• The inspector may get a little more invasive. If I spot something suspicious that can only be checked thoroughly by getting behind a wall, I’ll usually note the finding and suggest that the client hire a specialist to do further digging. But with a home maintenance inspection, the homeowner is right there and can give the go-ahead for a more invasive look. 

Why should I get a home maintenance inspection?

A home maintenance inspection is to a house as a medical exam is to the body. You’re checking in on the systems and components of your house to make sure everything is as it should be. 

Like a checkup for your health, you could avoid it and just wait until something goes wrong—but often, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Let’s take a look at a few benefits to including a regular home maintenance inspection in your home’s schedule below.

1. An inspector is a neutral third-party

If you think something in your home is in need of repair, it’s a good idea to schedule a home inspection first, the I will provide you with an unbiased list of items that need to be repaired or replaced.  

If I find an issue (or agree with your assessment that an item needs to be repaired), they’ll supply a recommended course of action.

2. A maintenance inspection can catch problems early

Often, you don’t realize something is about to go disastrously wrong until it’s too late. Your roof leaks, your outdated pipes burst, or an unchecked termite infestation leads to expensive structural damage.

A regular home maintenance inspection can help you nip many home problems in the bud, which might save you a lot of money down the line. 

And even before you face major repair costs, a home inspection can save you more money than you think. If your electrical wiring is outdated or you have a leaky faucet, for instance, you could be losing hundreds in utility costs every year. A regular inspection helps you catch inefficiencies in your home’s systems that can easily add up.

3. You’ll be more prepared to sell 

You may not be planning to sell your home anytime soon, but it’s still a good idea to know the general condition of your home so that you can keep your house in prime condition for whatever possibility comes your way. 

It’s a fact of life that homes deteriorate over time, especially if left to their own devices. A home maintenance inspection is a crucial part of making sure your home stays in tip-top shape; otherwise, you may find that, when it comes time to sell, the home has fallen into an expensive state of disrepair.

A regular maintenance inspection can help you stay on top of your property’s needs, keeping you proud of your home and confident that you have options.

4. Safety and Peace of Mind

Aside from the resale considerations, there are potential dangers to leaving your home’s condition unchecked for years. Your furnace, for instance, may develop a clogged vent and begin a dangerous backflow of carbon monoxide into your home. 

Making a habit of scheduling regular maintenance inspections can help ensure that your property is being kept in good shape and a safe condition for yourself and your family.

How often should you get a home maintenance inspection?

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), homeowners should have their home inspected annually. And if that seems a little too often for you, try to at least order a maintenance inspection every 3-5 years.

Especially if your home is older, you’ll want to stay on top of the aging systems and structural components to make sure you know when it’s time to do maintenance or replace anything that’s broken.