What is a Home Inspection?
In short, a home inspection is a non-invasive examination of the visible and accessible components of a house's major systems. Your home is a huge investment and it makes sense to find out what condition your investment is in. A properly constructed inspection report will identify unsafe conditions and deficiencies that require attention as well as provide maintenance suggestions and general information about your home's components.
In an ideal world, you would want your home inspected by a structural engineer, an electrician, an HVAC specialist, a plumber, a chimney specialist, a roofer, a siding and windows contractor, and possibly other specialists. Practically, however, this would be stressful, expensive, and time consuming. A professional home inspection is conducted by an inspector who knows about all of these things.
Who Needs a Home Inspection?
Home inspections are typically performed during the real estate transaction process. If you are buying a house, you can benefit immensely by knowing what condition it's in, what requires immediate attention, and what to budget for in terms of repairs. In many cases, the seller will make requested repairs or concessions in price. An inspection will also give you valuable peace of mind, allowing you to buy with confidence. Conversely, if you are selling your house, an inspection will provide you with a list of things that you could fix in an effort to get top dollar for your property. Even if you don't address some deficiencies, by including them in your disclosures the potential buyer will not feel like you're trying to hide something. Perhaps more importantly, it will eliminate much of the under contract negotiation that can delay closing for months.
What Gets Checked During a Home Inspection?
Our full service inspections include:
- Roof, Flashing, & Trim
- Gutters & Downspouts
- Chimneys, Skylights, & Other Roof Penetrations
- Eaves, Soffit, & Fascia
- Basement, Foundation, & Structure
- Accessible Crawlspaces
- Sump Pumps with Accessible Float
- Plumbing Fauceets & Fixtures
- Main Water Shutoff Valves
- Showers & Bathtubs
- Heating, Air Conditioning, & Ductwork
- Attic Insulation & Ventilation
- Electrical Service Lines, Panels, & Breakers
- GFCIs & AFCIs
- Fireplaces, Dampers, & Hearths
- Decks, Stoops, Porches, & Patios
- Driveways, Walkways, Steps, & Railings
- Grading & Drainage
- Siding, Windows, & Doors
- Interior & Appliances
- And MUCH MORE!
