WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION?

The home buying process can be confusing and stressful. Not only do you need to consider things such as price and location, you also have to worry about whether the house itself has any problems that could become costly surprises down the road.

The Home Inspection is an unbiased, professional assessment of the condition of the house. It provides you an expert opinion and professional report on the condition of the physical structure and various systems within a house. Giving you peace of mind on what is likely the largest purchase you’ll ever make.

In order to prepare the report, an inspector must conduct a visual inspection of the house. The inspection process typically takes about 3-4 hours to complete. This of course may vary, according to the size and condition of the home. We strongly encourage you to accompany the inspector during the inspection. This will give you a chance to ask questions and become familiar with the systems of the home.

We will inspect all the structural elements and systems of the home. Items that will typically be included in an inspection are:

1. Framing (structure)
2. Roof and attic
3. Foundation
4. Walls
5. Electrical system
6. Plumbing system
7. Heating and air conditioning systems
8. Kitchen
9. Bathrooms

Additional items and systems unique to a particular home can also be inspected.

When the inspection is complete, well tell you of any problems that were discovered and discuss them with you. We will also tell you about any routine maintenance that should be performed, as well as answer any questions you may have. You’ll also receive a full written report of the inspection.

Our goal is to discover and inform you of anything we find that might affect your purchase decision. Well tell you about any problems we find, and make repair recommendations. Well also inform you of what maintenance tasks are required to keep the home and its systems in top condition.

WHY DO I NEED A HOME INSPECTION?

The purchase of a home is one of the largest purchases you will make. It is important that you know as much as possible about this purchase. A home inspector is trained to be able to evaluate the home in detail and give you a report that will allow you to make a good decision about purchasing the home. An inspection report will describe the home in detail and will highlight the areas that are problems. A home inspection is a good idea even if you are already a homeowner. We all get physical checkups - why not give your home a checkup? $99.00 crawl space inspection (call for details) Many homeowners are living in homes that have serious problems that if identified early can save considerable repair costs. Water leaks can cause serious and costly problems, but if they are caught early can be repaired at little cost. A home inspection will also give you an outline of the routine maintenance that needs to be done to the home. Home sellers will want an inspection to find problems that a buyer's inspection would have found. The seller can then make the repairs prior to the home going on the market. Pre-inspections just make sense.

NEW HOME INSPECTION

There are good reasons to have a professional inspection performed on the brand new home you are buying.

Buying a new house is likely one of, if not the largest purchase decision you’ll ever make. The whole process is fraught with emotion and stress. A professional home inspection will substantially reduce the risk for your large investment in a new home. It just makes sense to learn as much as you can about the quality of your new home, before signing off on everything.

Building a new home is a tremendously complex endeavor. It involves many people, usually split up into sub-contractor groups, each working on different parts and systems of the house. Even for the best builders, it’s nearly impossible to complete this process without missing something. Maybe it’s a plumbing fixture that didn’t get tested for leaks, maybe it’s an electrical box that isn’t working, or any one of dozens of minor problems that can easily be overlooked in such a major undertaking. We will find such problems while it is still early enough for you to bring them up with the builder and have them corrected before you sign-off and start moving in.

For the relatively small cost, a professional inspection of your new dream home can pay big dividends in peace of mind and getting any problems identified and corrected before they can become an unpleasant surprise.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A HOME INSPECTOR

Experience:

Find out how much experience a potential inspector has. If an inspector has not been performing inspections very long that does not mean that he or she is not qualified, it just means that you will need to ask more questions.

Home Inspection Training:

Have this inspector gone through any extensive training in home inspection? There are several training companies that provide hands-on training. Also, you may ask what other related experience the inspector has. Many inspectors have been in the building trades for several years and have considerable knowledge of home construction.

Association Membership:

Is the inspector a member of a professional Home Inspection organization? Companies that are affiliated with professional organizations are serious about what they do, and they know about all the new developments in their fields. They are continually informed about changes in the building codes and city requirements.

National & State Home Inspection organizations include:

• N.C. Licensed Home Inspector Association (NCLHIA)
• National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)
• National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE)
• California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA)
• National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI)

There are several other local organizations that provide support for the Home Inspectors in a certain state or region. It is important that the inspectors belong to an association and abide by a set of guidelines that require professionalism in the industry.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE?

The home inspector's report will review the condition of the home's heating system, plumbing, electrical system and central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), as well as the roof, attic, visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation, basement, landscaping, and visible structure.

WHAT WILL A TYPICAL HOME INSPECTION COST?

Each home inspection company has their own pricing structure. Inspection fees vary based on the area of the country and the type, size, and features of the home or building. Most inspectors will charge extra for services such as radon testing, termite inspections, well and septic inspections. A typical inspection fee for a 2,000 square foot home varies from $300.00 to $350.00. The cost of the inspection should not be the only consideration for hiring an inspector. A good inspection that informs you of all the potential problems in a home is worth the money. A bargain inspector may give you an inferior report. Once you have purchased the home, it may be very costly to repair problems that were omitted from the inspection report.

Additional Services

Many inspectors will offer you services such as:

• Radon testing: Make sure they follow the US EPA Protocols for testing
• Water Testing: Ask where they take your samples.

CAN I DO AN INSPECTION MYSELF?

Most homebuyers will look at a home that they want to purchase and look for reasons to purchase the home. The prospective homebuyer is not able to look at the home with the unbiased critical eye of a home inspector. Even a homebuyer with construction experience does not have the knowledge and tools of a home inspector. A good inspector is trained and experienced in finding the clues in a home that indicate problems. These clues are sometimes very subtle and hard to find. Most inspectors use tools that help them determine problems. Most inspectors have performed hundreds of inspections, and they are familiar with problems with certain building materials or building styles.

WHEN PURCHASING A HOME, WHEN SHOULD I CALL FOR A HOME INSPECTION?

When purchasing a home you will want to have the home inspected within a few days after the purchase agreement is signed. You want to make sure you have a clause in your purchase agreement that allows you to have an inspection and that you have the right to terminate the agreement if you find the home in unsatisfactory condition. This clause should specify the terms to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.

IF SELLING A HOME, SHOULD I GET A PRE-INSPECTION? YES !!!!

When buying a home, you should always have a professional home inspection performed. You need to know exactly what you are getting. Making your buying decision much easier and more confident.

When we inspect the home we will look at the systems that make up the building such as but not limited to:

1. Structural elements, foundation, framing etc.
2. Plumbing systems
3. Heating and A/C
4. Roofing
5. Electrical systems
6. Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc.

If you are buying a home with a septic tank, you should consider having it inspected by a professional septic contractor. Our standard home inspection does not include this type of specialized, intrusive inspection. To properly inspect the system, the contractor will need to dig holes to access the underground parts of the system. This will include inspecting the tank, as well as the leach field.

It makes good sense to have the tank pumped at the time of this inspection. A professional septic contractor can perform both the inspection and pump the tank, killing two birds with one stone and assuring that you begin with an empty tank and a system that has been inspected. Often, you can negotiate with the seller to have them pay for the pumping.

SHOULD I BE THERE DURING THE INSPECTION?

We recommend that you are present at the inspection. Most inspectors will allow you to be there and ask questions after the inspection is completed. Most inspectors will point out the areas that are potential problems. This is important because you will be able to see for yourself the extent of problems that are sometimes hard for an inspector to convey in a report. Most inspectors will also show you how the heating system works and show you what things will need to be maintained in order to keep the home in good condition.

WHAT IF THE INSPECTION REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS?

Almost all homes will show problems. Even newly constructed homes will have problems noted on an inspection report. This is why we recommend an inspection even for new construction. Your inspector will be able to identify major problems that will be costly. Minor problems are to be expected and can be repaired after closing. Major problems may require a negotiation between you and the seller as to how to fix the problems. A seller may adjust the purchase price or contract terms if major problems are found. If the problems are costly, you will be able to make your decision about purchasing the home with the proper knowledge about the future cost of that home.