FAQ
A home inspection is provided by licensed professional who performs a visual examination of the overall condition of the systems and structural components of a home. Emphasis is on identifying systems and structural components which are significantly deficient or at the end of their service life. The inspection is not a determination of future conditions. The inspection report is designed to provide information and assist the client in an evaluation of the overall condition of the home prior to making a final buying decision.
A home is likely the largest investment decision you’ll make in your lifetime. It only makes sense to find out as much as you can about the house you are interested in before you buy. Our inspection will also advise you of what maintenance is required to keep your home in top condition. A professional inspection will give you a clearer picture of the many systems and structural elements that make up the property. If you are selling your home, a listing inspection will point out any potential problems that might be discovered later by the buyers inspector. Finding them early will allow you to address them before listing your home, making for a faster and smoother sale.
Our standard inspection report covers all the major systems and structural elements of the house. This includes the condition of the homes heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing and electrical systems, roof, foundation, attic and visible insulation, walls, doors, windows and all visible structures.
No, you aren’t required to be there for the inspection. But we highly recommend that you be present. It’s a valuable learning experience for most people and will help you get the most benefit from the inspection. You can ask questions directly and the inspector can explain maintenance tips for specific areas of the home. We feel you’ll be able to best understand the finished report and get the most benefit from it by having been there during the inspection.
The time will vary depending on both the size and condition of the home. For most homes, 3 hours is pretty typical. But for larger homes, or homes in poor condition, it may take longer.
Absolutely! A professional inspection of a new home is very important. Building a new home is a tremendously complex endeavor and even for the best builders, its nearly impossible to complete such a process without missing or overlooking something. As building professionals, we may find problem areas early, while they are still easy for the builder to correct, and without the frustrations of having to go through the builders home warranty provider. Remember that a new home warranty only provides One Year of coverage, and is very limited in scope. Do yourself a favor and hire a professional inspector before you purchase and start moving into your new home.
Chances are that even if you are very familiar with home construction, you still don’t have the knowledge, training and experience of a professional Home Inspector. We’ve inspected thousands of homes. We are not only familiar with all the systems of a home, and how they work and need to be maintained, but we also know what to look for to tell us that they are getting ready to fail. But beyond the technical expertise and experience a professional inspector brings, it is important to remember that the inspector remains an impartial third party. If you are involved in buying or selling a house, it’s impossible for you to remain completely unemotional about the house, and this may cloud your judgment. The professional inspector will provide an objective outside reporting of the facts.
Our report will provide you the overall condition of the home, including recommendations for needed repairs. No home is going to be perfect. It is up to you to decide how any problems that the inspection discovers might affect your purchase decision. If major problems are discovered, you may want to try negotiating with the seller to have them repaired before closing, or perhaps the seller will lower the price, or offer more favorable contract terms. In the end, the decision rests with you, but knowing about potential problems, before you buy, gives you the power to negotiate and make the best decisions.
No. The code of ethics of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and others, prohibits members from doing repair work on properties they inspect. This assures that there will never be any conflict of interest by the inspector. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective third party report on the condition of the home.