Frequently Asked Questions

A home inspection is a professional visual examination of the systems and structural elements of a home. Our emphasis is on identifying existing or potential problems that would affect a purchasers buying decision and any safety issues regarding the home.

Pricing varies depending on a number of items. How big is the house or condo? How old is it? Is there an attic? Basement? Garage? Fireplaces? Central air conditioning? A well? Septic tank? Please call us for pricing, it only takes a minute and I can answer any of your questions at the same time.

A home is the largest purchase most people will ever make. It only makes sense to find out as much as you can about the house you are interested in before you buy. That way you can avoid costly surprise repairs and problems with your new home. Our report will also advise you of what maintenance is required to keep your home in top condition. A professional inspection will give you a clear 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 uncovered 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 detailed inspection covers all accessible areas of the house, plus all the major systems and structural elements of the house. This includes the condition of the heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing and electrical systems, roof, foundation, attic and visible insulation, walls, doors, windows and all visible structures. Any areas of the home considered to be hazard, may not be inspected. Our written report is one of the most detailed in the industry, and provides a wealth of useful information.

Not required but highly recommended. It’s a valuable learning experience for most people and will help you get the most benefit from the inspection. By following the inspector you can ask questions directly and the inspector can explain maintenance tips for specific areas. 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, 1 to 3 hours is typical. Larger homes, or homes in poor condition, may take a bit longer. We stay until the job is done and the systems are inspected. A quick home inspection is usually a bad home inspection.

Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. We can spot potential problems early, while they are still easy to correct. Its especially valuable to arrange an inspection before the interior walls are finished. As building professionals, we may find problem areas where the builder has taken shortcuts or not done good work. I constantly find problems in newly constructed homes that justify the cost of the inspection.

You can, but chances are that even if you are very familiar with home construction you still dont have the knowledge, training and experience of a professional Home Inspector. We are familiar with all the systems of a home, how they work and how they should be maintained. We are also experts at identifying signs that indicate a system is nearing the end of its life cycle. But beyond the technical expertise, it is important to remember that the inspector remains an impartial third party, providing an objective and unemotional reporting of the facts.

Our report will tell you the condition of the house, including needed repairs. No house is going to be perfect. It is up to you to decide how any problems the inspection uncovers might affect your decision to purchase. If major problems are discovered, you may want to try negotiating with the seller to have them repaired before closing the deal. 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) prohibits its 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.