Can someone advise me on home inspections?

[The Sauce]

I am buying a home in a small town in Vermont. The home was originally built in the 1920's. It is on a large amount of protected land (15 acres) which has been untouched for 80 years (at least) and has well water. I need to get a home inspection and they offer a lot of different "extra" services at additional charges, and I am not sure what one I might need.

Additional services they offer that I am considering are:

Pest inspection
Radon testing
Mold testing
Water testing
Carbon monoxide testing

What would you advise - please only if you are knowledgable on the subject.

Thanks.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

For a old and unmaintained house, I would certainly consider all of the above, except carbon monoxide testing.

Make sure your inspectors are current on their codes, and ask them for a sample of the sort of documentation they will give you (ideally, there should be a lot of notes, not just checkboxes). I would also be sure to be present at the inspection.

 

[The Sauce]

Unfortunately I can not be present for the inspection. It's 600 miles away and I work.

 

[The Sauce]

Is radon an issue on totally undeveloped and protected land?

 

[Homerboy]

likely not... just make sure (since you can not be there) that they give you VERY detailed notes, diagrams, explainations etc etc... The more info/documentation the better (for both of you actually)

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: Snatchface
Is radon an issue on totally undeveloped and protected land?

Radon is a naturally occuring phenomenon, so it occurs regardless of development. However, older homes probably have less efficient ventilation so its dispersal is probably more of an issue.

About radon

If you're considering purchasing this property for use as a personal residence, I'd certainly try to make the necessary scheduling adjustments to have the inspection done while I was present. I personally wouldn't want to try making as major a purchase as a house without being fully aware of all the issues.

 

[DougK62]

Septic tank? I'd get that inspected. The well too. Neither are inexpensive to replace. With a house that old I'd also test for lead paint. Maybe even the electrical and plumbing systems too.

Inspections are cheap so I'd go for any that may be useful - which in an old house is a lot.

Inspection results can be great bargaining tools if your purchase contract is laid out correctly.

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw
For a old and unmaintained house, I would certainly consider all of the above, except carbon monoxide testing.

Agreed. You might as well spend the money to make sure the house is exactly what you want. Once the paperwork is signed, any problems become yours.

My inspector didn't have any of those "extra" things on his list; just a flat rate of $270. Then again, my house is brand new, so it doesn't have any likelyhood of having some of the problems with a house as old as the one you are looking at.

 

[911paramedic]

Carbon monoxide testing

 

[Mermaidman]

Radon FAQ from EPA

 

[rahvin]

I don't know where you guys get some of this but I would have all the tests done. If your furnace is leaking CO it could kill you and if it is leaking you will likely have a VERY expensive repair on the furnace. That is something you want to know before you sign the papers because once it's yours YOU pay for fixing it even if it breaks 10 min after you buy the house.

You also want to walk through the inspection with your inspector, he will point out a lot of stuff to watch and will likely show you important details like how to change the filter on the furnace (they are all different).

 

[richardycc]

I would skip the CO test and just buy a CO detector, you can get one for under $30.