Inspection Overview
A home cannot fail an inspection. A professional home inspection gives you an independent, unbiased view of any problems and their solutions, so that you will have all the facts you need to make a sound, informed decision.
Most inspections take 2 to 3 hours and cover 200 to 300 items depending on the size of the home. The results are provided to you in the form of a computer-generated report, complete with digital photos of any problem areas. All reports cover the structure from foundation to roof and evaluate all electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems for operability. Our report is easy to read in a combination checklist and narrative form. The report can be emailed for your convenience.
Before you sign the dotted line, getting a home inspection is a crucial step in the home buying process. Here are some points you need to know about what you can expect from a good home inspection, and what should always be checked and disclosed.
A thorough home inspection will include the following:
- Roof: Shingles, flashings, chimneys, vents, trim and gutters, drip edges, skylights, downspouts, and other visible roof related items
- Attics: Insulation, ventilation, rafters, joists and collar ties, trusses, wiring attachments, and other visible related items
- Plumbing and Fixtures: Water pressure, water distribution system, hose bibs, sinks and faucets, bath/showers and toilets, sanitary system, and other plumbing system components.
- Interior: Floors and ceilings, walls, stairs (if applicable) and banisters, finishes, sinks, cabinets, shelving, built-in appliances, smoke detectors and safety-related items, and other visible interior-related components
- Heating and Cooling Systems: Furnace, air cleaning parts, ductwork, electronic monoxide testing, electric gas sniffer testing, air conditioner and lines, and other visible related HVAC components.
- Electrical Systems: Service entry and clearances, service panel, switches and outlets, visible wiring and junction boxes, grounding system, and other related electrical components.
- Crawl Spaces, and Foundation: Insulation, ventilation, posts, vapor barriers, utility attachment, structural items, floors and walls, and columns.
- Exterior: Siding materials, attachments, windows, doors, sashes and lintels, vents, entryways, and other visible exterior related components.
- Decks and Porches
- Environmental Issues
- Fireplaces
- Overall Structure