Buyer Guide
Home Inspections in Western New York: What to Test and Why
Much of the housing stock in Buffalo, the Tonawandas, Lackawanna and Niagara Falls was built before 1950. A general inspection is the starting point, but older WNY homes often justify a few add-ons.
| Inspection | When it’s worth it |
|---|---|
| General home inspection | Always. Covers structure, roof, mechanicals, plumbing, electrical and visible defects. |
| Sewer scope (camera) | Any home with an older clay or cast-iron line. In Buffalo, the homeowner is responsible for the entire lateral from the house to the main. WKBW |
| Radon | Inexpensive and worth doing on any home with a basement. |
| Lead paint | Homes built before 1978. Federal law requires the lead disclosure and gives you a 10-day window to test unless you waive it. |
| Electrical specialist | Knob-and-tube wiring, 60-amp service or fuse panels, which insurers may refuse to cover |
| Chimney / Level 2 | Any wood-burning fireplace or older masonry chimney |
| Well and septic | Rural properties in towns like Boston, Colden, Wales, Newfane and Somerset. Some municipalities require testing at sale. |
| Oil tank sweep | Older homes that switched to gas and may have a buried or basement tank |
What an inspection won’t tell you: what’s behind walls, zoning or permit history, or whether past additions were permitted. Your attorney and the town building department cover those.
Questions to ask your inspector: Are you licensed in New York (NYS requires home-inspector licensing)? Can I attend? How soon do I get the report? Do you include photos and a summary of the top issues?