What is a Home Inspection? A home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and systems of an entire home. We examine the inside and the outside of a home from the roof to the foundation and everything between. A professional home inspection gives you an independent, unbiased view of the inspected property so you can make a sound, informed decision.
How long do inspections last? The length of time it takes to do a good and thorough job inspecting a home can vary a lot. Inspections generally take around two to three hours, but can last even longer. The size, age, general condition of the various systems in the home will affect the length of time needed.
Do you need to be at an inspection? Many buyers do attend the inspection and we do encourage you to be there if possible. However, some buyers are not able to be at the inspection for one reason or another. We understand that completely. Our reports are thorough, yet easy to read/understand, and have photos included. (There is a sample report under another tab in this site). Our report is usually enough for most people, but we are happy to chat with you over the phone or via video and explain anything in the report. Usually your realtor will be there representing you and many are very experienced and are also able to help explain anything in our report.
Why do you need an inspection? The Purchase of a home is one of the largest single investments you will ever make. You should learn as much as possible about the conditions of the property and the need for any major repairs before you invest your hard earned money. Furthermore, a Home Inspection not only shows problem areas, but also shows the positive aspects of your new home. It gives you a much better understanding of the property you are about to purchase. In addition, we encourage all Home Buyers to go along on the inspection and ask as many questions as possible. We are there to educate and help you! But don't take our word for it.
Does a NEW home or business need an inspection? Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. We can spot potential problems early, while they are still easy to correct. A pre-closing "punch list" is provided to the buyer to provide to the builder for items that may need to be completed.
What if the inspection uncovers a problem? Our report will tell you the condition of the property repairs needed. No property is perfect (at least we've not found one yet). 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.
Will you fix the problems you find during the inspection? No! Our code of ethics prevent us from writing-up an issue(s) and then charging to repair said issue(s). 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.
What about Radon gas? Radon is colorless, odorless and undetectable by your average human. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon gas seeps through any access point into a home. Common entry points are cracks in the foundation, poorly sealed pipes, drainage or any other loose point. Once in the home, the gas can collect in certain areas especially basements and other low-lying, closed areas and build up over time to dangerous levels. The Environmental Protection Agency of the US Government has set a threshold of 4 pico curies per liter as the safe level. As humans are exposed to the gas over a period of years, it can have a significant and detrimental effect. Radon has been found in homes in all 50 states. Certain areas are more susceptible than others, but no location is immune. Concentrations of radon-causing materials in the soil can be either natural or man-made. The only way to tell for sure is to have a home tested. Testing for radon comes in two forms: active and passive. Active devises constantly measure the levels of radon in a portion of the home and display those results. Passive devices collect samples over a period of time and then are taken away and analyzed. Either method can help you determine your level of risk. Do-it-yourself kits are available from a number of outlets, normally with passive devices. Over a period of days, the device is left in the lowest level of the home which is normally occupied. Then the results are analyzed by a professional. If high concentrations of radon are found in your home, you have several options. Since radon is only a problem when it is concentrated in high volume, improving the ventilation in an area is often sufficient to solve the problem. In other cases, it may be necessary to limit the amount of radon getting into the home by sealing or otherwise obstructing the access points. Once again, a professional should be engaged to ensure that the radon is effectively blocked. Typical radon mitigation systems can cost between $800 and $2500, according to the EPA. The EPA always recommends testing if there is any doubt about radon gas. Proper testing and mitigation, can eliminate radon as a health threat.