What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home. It is not an appraisal that tells you what the home is worth; an inspection will basically tell you what is wrong with the property as well as all the good things! If you are thinking of buying a home, condo, townhouse, or duplex, you should have it properly inspected before final purchase by an experienced and impartial inspector.

Why do I need a home inspection?

Purchasing a home will probably be the single largest investment you will ever make. You should know exactly what to expect, inside and out, in terms of repairs and maintenance and their possible costs. A fresh coat of paint could be hiding serious structural problems. Water marks on the ceiling, roof decking, or floor joists may indicate a chronic leakage problem or simply the result of a single incident. The home inspector interprets these and other clues, then presents a professional and impartial opinion as to the condition of the property before you buy, so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after the sale. Of course, a good home inspection will also point out any positive aspects of a home, such as: a new roof, new siding, and professionally installed pool or spa, to name but a few. Find out more about the scope of inspection here. Some buyer programs consider home inspections to be so important that they allow for additional financing to help cover costs of an inspection.

How do I select a good home inspector?

There are already a few players in your home buying or selling transaction - realtors, mortgage lender, family, and of course the buyer/seller. Now you are going to add another - a home inspector. You need to be able to interview your potential inspector and find the one that can best educate you on the major purchase about to transpire.

As the real estate market grows rapidly in the area, more inspectors are joining in the competition for your business. There are some very good inspection companies and also some with very little in the way of proper training, experience, and knowledge.

What should I ask about regarding the inspector's training and experience?

What did the officers/owners of the company and the home inspector's) do before they became home inspectors? Most home inspectors are generalists and not specialists. This gives them the ability to have a broad view of the property they will be surveying for you. Yet, if needed, do they have access to specialized information you may require?

What type of training did they have? How long was the training program? Was it approved by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI)? NACHI is a leading association setting standards for home inspectors and the inspections they perform. Do they attend any type of ongoing training?

What kind of inspection report can I expect to receive?

The inspection process and the resulting report you receive are many and varied. There are computer generated reports, short and long narratives, and reports with supplemental information. You should find out what supporting documentation the inspector will supply with the report does the report just list issues or does it explain the situation and offer suggestions on how to deal with each issue?

Ask the inspector what type of report you will receive and when you'll receive it. Is the report received upon completion of the inspection, or do you have to wait? Occasionally, in the time between the inspection and the time the report is made, the verbal information and written word change. You should be able to leave the inspection with all questions answered and make an informed decision with your realtor regarding the home.

Should I attend the inspection?

We strongly recommend that you attend the inspection if at all possible. This is the time to ask questions about how the different systems in the home operate, and to express your concerns about the home. It should be an educational process, with all questions answered upon completion. After an inspection, a good inspection company will welcome your calls with questions and help you with issues that come up after you leave the home.

What does a home inspection cost?

The cost for a home inspection varies from company to company. It will also depend upon the type of inspection you request and the characteristics of the property. Generally, you should expect rates for a qualified company/inspector to start at $250.00.

How long should an inspection take?

A thorough home inspection should take 2- to 3 hours, depending on the size, condition, and characteristics of the home. Larger homes will require more time, as will older homes.

Can I do a home inspection myself?

Even the most knowledgeable home buyer or homeowner lacks the expertise of a professional home inspector who has inspected hundreds or even thousands of homes in their career. An inspector is equally familiar with all the elements of home construction and the proper installation, maintenance, and interrelationship of these elements. Plus, most buyers find it hard to stay completely objective and unemotional about the home they are considering, possibly leading to a poor assessment.

Can a house 'fail' an inspection?

No. A professional home inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of the prospective home. It is not an appraisal or a municipal code inspection. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house but describe its condition at that time and indicate which items will be in need of immediate or future repair or replacement.

If the report is favorable, did I really need an inspection?

Definitely! Now you can have peace of mind in completing your home purchase, knowing the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. You may have also learned a few things from the inspection and will want that for future reference.

How does your service compare to that of other home inspectors?

We welcome you to find out about our services, then compare us to the competition. We're sure that you will find our inspectors are the best in the business - well-educated, professional, sincere, unbiased, fair, and thorough. Our inspections are a complete service, with no hidden charges. Our report format is easy to understand, easy to read and we include images with every report.

Why is a digital report format better?

The upgrade of our report to a digital format allows us the ability to print the completed report on demand (no more messy handwriting to decipher!), allows us to email the report when necessary (don't have quick access to a fax machine? No problem!), and gives us the opportunity to showcase good points and bad points about the home through pictures (a picture IS worth a thousand words!). The best inspectors using the best reporting system - it can't get better than that!