Informing and educating is our top priority
Learn more about our services below:
Is A Home Inspection Just For New Home Buyers?
It is also available to existing homeowners! You may want to consider a home inspection to identify potential problems and to learn important preventive measures to avoid costly future repairs. Prior to placing your home on the market, you may also wish to have a home inspection. It will give you a better idea of what the buyer’s home inspection will find, and it will allow you to make repairs to make the house more marketable.
Will I Be Able to Attend the Inspection?
If an inspector refuses to allow this educational opportunity, then that should raise a red flag for you. Taking advantage of this opportunity to see your potential home through the eyes of an expert before making a decision is a great thing to do.
Can A Home Fail A Home Inspection?
No. Professional home inspections are conducted in an unbiased manner. Inspectors act as general practitioners for a house and point out problems to buyers. There are many defects that can be repaired on different levels, and the decision rests with the buyer.
What Are Common Problems Detected In Home Inspections?
Moisture, electrical and plumbing systems, and foundation problems are the most common. Roofs, improper insulation, and major appliances are also common problems.
The majority of issues found during a home inspection are not going to derail the deal. Buyers and sellers usually negotiate the price based on the extent of the issues.
Here’s a list of the most common issues found by home inspections:
- HVAC problems
- Electrical systems and faulty wires
- Issues with roofs and gutters
- Inadequate drainage and grading around the property
- Poor insulation and ventilation
- Plumbing
- Moisture and mold
How Do I Know If My Building Has A Mold Problem?
Visible mold growth comes in a variety of colors and textures. There may be green, blue, or even orange spots as well as the classic fuzzy black mold. Growth may be thick and 3-dimensional or appear as black spots on walls, ceilings, carpets, or wood. Please send us a few photos of any suspicious areas in your building so we can provide additional information.
In some cases, mold is caused by high humidity or hidden water damage that is not readily visible. You may notice a persistent musty or moldy smell at certain times or places. A professional inspector can perform moisture testing, infrared inspections, and other types of testing to determine whether these odors are serious. It can be difficult for a homeowner or building manager to determine whether an odor represents contamination without professional equipment and experience.
How Can Mold Be Tested?
Mold testing cost depends on many factors. Mold testing requirements and how many samples are needed on the property’s condition. Has there been a recent leak? Has there been any water loss? A comprehensive mold inspection on-site is the only way to answer these questions. In order to determine the source of contamination and mold presence, a thorough inspection is crucial. During the site assessment, we can develop a mold sampling protocol tailored to the client’s needs. The cost of a comprehensive mold inspection depends on the square footage. Our mold inspection and mold testing pricing is based on that vital information.
When Is Asbestos Testing Required?
No matter when the structure was built, asbestos surveys are required prior to demolition or renovation. Renovation activities of residential single-unit dwellings (houses) that remove or strip less than 100 square feet of intact material (not damaged) are exempt from the survey requirement. Certified Site Surveillance Technicians (CSST) are trained to identify homogenous-suspect materials and can presume that they contain asbestos.
Do All Old Houses Have Asbestos?
It is common to find asbestos in old floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roof shingles, flashing, siding, insulation (around boilers, ducts, pipes, sheeting, fireplaces), pipe cement, and joint compound used on seams between pieces of sheetrock in homes built before 1980. Asbestos may also be present in some newer houses.
When should a home be inspected?
AS A BUYER:
Make it part of your purchase agreement with the seller as a contingency pending your approval.
AS A SELLER:
Before you list your property for sale have it inspected so that you have a chance to address any concerns in order to avoid delays at closing.
Do I really need a home inspection?
This depends on how important it is to have peace of mind knowing the true condition of the home BEFORE yo buy it! The single largest investment we will make in our lifetime will be the purchase of our home. Our home are made up with many working parts. The condition and function of these parts as a system will determine our comfort and safety while living in the home. The various conditions of these components will aid in the determination of the overall value of your investment decision, and in turn gaining the knowledge to successfully make an informed decision.
Should I be present when the inspection takes place?
Absolutely! We strongly encourage you and your spouse/partner to attend the inspection. When the inspections is complete we’ll go over the findings and will be more than happy to address any questions, issues or concerns you may have.
When can I expect a completed report?
If you’re present at the conclusion of the inspection we’ll sit down and go over the report verbally. Reports are generated with pictures and are completed usually the same evening as the inspection. Normally you can expect your report the following morning or within 24 hours.
Why don’t you deliver your reports on site?
Our reports are produced back at the office on the evening of the inspections. This gives me unrushed time to review my notes, checklist and to research any questionable areas of concern. Digital photos of areas of concern are then inserted for further clarification. The result is a complete, easy to read and understand inspections report.
Will an inspection “fail” a house?
No there is no “pass/fail”. Most homes have some problems, but everything can be repaired. It’s my job to point them out to you so you can make an informed decision, we point out and explain: what safety hazards exist, material defects (a home’s system or component that has an issue that could significantly impact the property value) and maintenance items.