WHY HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR? |
|
Buyers
It’s no secret that you are about to make the biggest purchase of your life. Not only is all or most of your savings going into this deal, you are making a very important investment. To enter it blindly could cost you thousands of dollars and undue stress. By hiring a qualified home inspector, you reduce the risk of uncovering costly issues after you have moved in. Not only will a good home inspection give you peace of mind about what you are buying, but it will familiarize you with the ins and outs of your new home.
Sellers
Hiring a home inspection before you put your house on the market is always a wise idea. It can either serve as a punch list of the items you need to address before listing your home or it can save costly negotiating by disclosing these issues to the buyer before an offer is made. Doing so will reduce the stress of the selling process immeasurably. The photos below illustrate just one example of an issue hidden behind the siding.
New Construction
We are often hired by people having homes built in order to ensure the builder is not cutting corners and that they are getting quality construction. By hiring a home inspector to check on your home in the major stages of construction, you can ensure that you are getting what you pay for.
What our Inspections cover
We always encourage clients to attend the inspection although it is not mandatory. Obviously, it is to your benefit to be present so you can better understand the ins and outs of your prospective home and also to ask questions while Patrick is checking all the systems and structural components. A typical inspection will last about three hours - less for smaller buildings such as condominiums or mobile homes - more for large homes, multi-family homes, or older buildings.
A typical home inspection falls broadly in to three sections,
Structural
Foundation: This encompasses the foundation of the home, basement, crawlspace, piers, etc. Patrick looks for signs of deterioration in the building components, abnormal cracks in the foundation, current or past water seepage.
Exterior: The condition of the siding on the house is inspected and any decks, porches or entry ways to determine whether they are structurally adequate.
Interior: Floors, walls and ceilings are inspected to determine whether there are any old or active leaks, abnormal cracks in the walls and ceilings, and sagging or humped floors. Additionally, a representative number of windows and doors are tested. If there is an attic that is accessible, the structural components of the roof will be inspected.
Roof: The roof system is carefully checked i.e., its ventilation system, structural components, and the condition of the roof covering.
Systems
Plumbing: All the plumbing fixtures in the building will be run and any accessible pipes will be checked for leaks or corrosion. Shutoff valves are tested as is the hot water quantity to ensure it is sufficient for the number of bathrooms in a house. The water pressure is also checked to ensure it is adequate. If the house has a private water supply i.e., a well or spring, we always recommend performing a well quantity test if there are no reliable details on the well. (This is an additional fee, however, and not included as part of his normal home inspection.)
Electrical: All the electrical panels are opened and the wiring and breakers are checked. The service wire coming into the building is checked as are a representative number of outlets throughout the building. Any safety issues - such as live, exposed wiring, old/outdated wiring or unfinished wiring is noted.
Heating: The heating/cooling system is operated during this inspection and tests of the thermostats are done to ensure they are working effectively. All baseboards or vents are checked and the maintenance of the heating system is confirmed, if possible.
Pest & Insects
Wood-Destroying Insects/Pests: Patrick always keeps an eye out for visible signs of insects such as termites, carpenter ants and rodents that may pose a problem for the homeowner i.e., mice, rats, skunks, squirrels.
A typical home inspection falls broadly in to three sections,
Structural
Foundation: This encompasses the foundation of the home, basement, crawlspace, piers, etc. Patrick looks for signs of deterioration in the building components, abnormal cracks in the foundation, current or past water seepage.
Exterior: The condition of the siding on the house is inspected and any decks, porches or entry ways to determine whether they are structurally adequate.
Interior: Floors, walls and ceilings are inspected to determine whether there are any old or active leaks, abnormal cracks in the walls and ceilings, and sagging or humped floors. Additionally, a representative number of windows and doors are tested. If there is an attic that is accessible, the structural components of the roof will be inspected.
Roof: The roof system is carefully checked i.e., its ventilation system, structural components, and the condition of the roof covering.
Systems
Plumbing: All the plumbing fixtures in the building will be run and any accessible pipes will be checked for leaks or corrosion. Shutoff valves are tested as is the hot water quantity to ensure it is sufficient for the number of bathrooms in a house. The water pressure is also checked to ensure it is adequate. If the house has a private water supply i.e., a well or spring, we always recommend performing a well quantity test if there are no reliable details on the well. (This is an additional fee, however, and not included as part of his normal home inspection.)
Electrical: All the electrical panels are opened and the wiring and breakers are checked. The service wire coming into the building is checked as are a representative number of outlets throughout the building. Any safety issues - such as live, exposed wiring, old/outdated wiring or unfinished wiring is noted.
Heating: The heating/cooling system is operated during this inspection and tests of the thermostats are done to ensure they are working effectively. All baseboards or vents are checked and the maintenance of the heating system is confirmed, if possible.
Pest & Insects
Wood-Destroying Insects/Pests: Patrick always keeps an eye out for visible signs of insects such as termites, carpenter ants and rodents that may pose a problem for the homeowner i.e., mice, rats, skunks, squirrels.
Optional testing
The following tests are available at an additional cost
Radon Testing: Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated Radon level. Radon can enter your home ether through the air or in well water. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. For more information on radon see http://www.epa.gov/radon/
Well Quantity: We highly recommend that home buyers are provided with details on the well supplying the house they are buying - i.e., who drilled the well, what the recovery rate is, its storage capacity, and the depth of the well. If the owner does not have this information, Patrick can test the quantity of the well, at an additional cost.
Water Quality: If the house you are buying has a private well, we strongly recommend you have the water supply scanned for bacteria, at a minimum. We can also have the water supply checked for a wide range of analytes from minerals to contaminants. Additionally, we can provide testing for FHA®/VA loans that require specific tests be performed.
Radon Testing: Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated Radon level. Radon can enter your home ether through the air or in well water. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. For more information on radon see http://www.epa.gov/radon/
Well Quantity: We highly recommend that home buyers are provided with details on the well supplying the house they are buying - i.e., who drilled the well, what the recovery rate is, its storage capacity, and the depth of the well. If the owner does not have this information, Patrick can test the quantity of the well, at an additional cost.
Water Quality: If the house you are buying has a private well, we strongly recommend you have the water supply scanned for bacteria, at a minimum. We can also have the water supply checked for a wide range of analytes from minerals to contaminants. Additionally, we can provide testing for FHA®/VA loans that require specific tests be performed.
Scheduling & fees
Typically, clients should call to schedule a home inspection as soon as their purchase and sales contract is finalized, if not sooner. Patrick is typically booked out a week ahead, but we will do our best to accommodate your needs if you have less time.
The inspection fee varies from house to house. You will be given a quote when you call to book your inspection. Our fee depends on a number of factors, including the age, condition, and size of the house as well as the number of outbuildings.
The inspection fee varies from house to house. You will be given a quote when you call to book your inspection. Our fee depends on a number of factors, including the age, condition, and size of the house as well as the number of outbuildings.
REPorts
Because Patrick writes an individual summary for each inspection, his inspection report is not generated on-site, although he will share his findings with you as he is inspecting the property. Feel free to bring along a pen and pad to take notes. He also welcomes questions and is known for capably sharing technical information in layman’s terms so you will understand exactly what he is talking about.
Our reports include a 12-page checklist of his field notes detailing what he checks throughout the inspection as well as a narrative style summary written specifically for the property you are buying. The summary is easy to read and understand and includes all pertinent concerns that are either safety issues or items that will require significant financial outlay to fix.
Our reports include a 12-page checklist of his field notes detailing what he checks throughout the inspection as well as a narrative style summary written specifically for the property you are buying. The summary is easy to read and understand and includes all pertinent concerns that are either safety issues or items that will require significant financial outlay to fix.