First-time homebuyers are often confused about the inspections that they get for the home before a purchase. They often assume that this inspection will tell them everything about the home's condition from top to bottom, including its overall value and any problems they may face when it comes to repairs that are needed. In truth, a standard home inspection only includes items that are needed to be built to certain local government codes. This doesn't include testing the air quality or looking for rodents. Note a few additional inspections you might want to schedule for your new home before you decide that it's the right purchase for you.

1. Pest infestation

A pest infestation inspection can tell you if there are termites that are causing damage to the home and which might compromise the integrity of the home's frame. It can also check for signs of rodents, as these can easily chew through a home's wiring or nest in a home's attic. This inspection can tell you if you may need to pay for an exterminator and if you might have holes in the attic, through which rodents enter the home.

2. Asbestos

Asbestos is not dangerous if it's properly contained, as it's only harmful when you breathe in the particles, but you may still want to know if this material was used as insulation in the home. You may need to check its containment to note if it's safe and secure, or consider having it removed. The cost of removal may affect your decision to purchase the home, if asbestos is found.

3. Lead paint

Lead paint has not typically been sold or used for decades, but if a home you're thinking of buying is just that old, you may want to have the paint tested for lead. This paint can chip off so that the lead winds up in the groundwater, and it can be dangerous if children or pets were to ingest chips of the paint.

4. Soil inspections

If you're planning any type of garden or small farm, or to build an outbuilding on the property, you may want to have the soil inspected. You can test it for its strength so you know if it will support that new garage or even an addition to your home, and its quality to see if it will support a healthy farm or garden. You can also see if the property has proper drainage, so you know if the home's foundation is at risk for water leaks.

For more information, contact a local building inspection company like Jeffrey Hills and Associates.