The Complete Guide to Home Inspection by Michael Litchfield

The Complete Guide to Home Inspection by Michael Litchfield

The essential, professional-grade manual that transforms home buyers, sellers, and owners into confident, knowledgeable inspectors--protect your investment by knowing precisely what to look for.

Buying or owning a home is the biggest financial commitment most people make, and having a thorough understanding of its condition is non-negotiable.

The Complete Guide to Home Inspection is the definitive, comprehensive resource that demystifies every major structural and system component, empowering you to effectively evaluate, document, and protect your investment.

Written by industry authority Michael Litchfield, this book provides the systematic, professional methodology used by certified inspectors. You will learn the tell-tale signs of trouble and gain the critical knowledge necessary to ask the right questions and prioritize repairs.

This essential guide covers every area, from foundation to roof, including:

• Structural Integrity: Detailed instruction on identifying critical issues in foundations, basements, crawlspaces, and framing, including common signs of shifting, water damage, and structural compromise.
• Major Systems: Comprehensive diagnosis of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, ensuring you can assess the safety, efficiency, and lifespan of these expensive components.
• Exterior and Site: Expert guidance on inspecting roofing, siding, drainage, grading, and chimneys to prevent costly water intrusion and environmental damage.
• Interior and Finishing: Meticulous checks for insulation, ventilation, doors, windows, and interior finishes that affect energy performance and air quality.

Whether you're a first-time buyer navigating the process, a homeowner planning major repairs, or a seller preparing for disclosure, this book is your single-volume guarantee that you will understand every major component of a house and assess its true value and risk.

ROGER C. ROBINSON has been inspecting residential and commercial properties in the Bay Area since 1979 and has inspected thousands of homes. He has helped found several chapters of CREIA (California Real Estate Inspection Association) and ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors). Roger has been the president of CREIA and has received several industry awards including the Monahan Award (highest national award) and the John Daly Award (highest state award). He has also trained scores of prominent Bay Area home inspectors, and has conducted trainings and seminars nationwide and in Canada. Roger has written numerous training manual and articles about home inspection and is a co-author of House Check: Finding and Fixing Common House Problems (Taunton Press, 2003).