What Does The Thorough Home Inspection Involve?

The home inspection is a thorough process which takes several hours to complete. I encourage the customer to be present for all or part of the inspection if possible.

Home Inspection starts with the exterior of the property

First I look at the grading and landscaping as how it addresses ground water flow around the property, keeping in mind any and all safety hazards and maintenance upkeep. Then the exterior of the house and garage are evaluated. From the chimney cap to the foundation, no detail is overlooked. Any exterior electrical and mechanical components are tested as well as the means to which public utilities are brought to the house. All these items must be safe and in good working order.

Next the interior of the garage and associated structure are inspected

This is an important part of the inspection especially if the garage is attached. An entire page of the inspection report is dedicated to the components of the garage inspection.

Now the interior of the home starting on the first floor

From Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, structure, and overall condition, every detail is noted. In many cases, homeowners perform self-remodels, and this is evident to an experienced eye. If there are any safety hazards or improper building practices visible, they will be identified for you. A representative number of windows, doors, outlets, latches/ locks, and safety equipment are tested for proper operation. If there is a fireplace or wood burning stove, the overall condition is evaluated to see if it has been properly maintained and installed.

If there multiple levels to the home they are inspected in the same fashion as the ground level. Restrooms are concentrated on for proper evacuation of moisture, functional flow and functional drainage of plumbing systems, cross connections, and GFCI applications.

The attic structure is evaluated if there is access. Looking for handyman wiring that could be unsafe, condition of the underside of roof and framing structure, and if exhaust fans are properly extended to the exterior of the space. The insulation is checked for proper installation and the approximate depth. If the home has a traditional chimney, this area is carefully inspected for watertight seals, any evidence of water damage, and condition of the chase. Ventilation is also evaluated as this is very important to keep the attic structure in good working order.

The basement or lower level is the last portion of the inspection starting with the visible portion of foundation, floor understructure, electrical fixtures, and structural support. I use equipment that can help to identify excessive moisture levels behind concrete or finished walls. The laundry area if present is checked for proper ventilation and hook-up to utilities. The water heater and HVAC system are put through several tests and checked to see if they are working properly, in safe condition, and if there are any harmful emissions coming from them. Any and all accessible gas lines are tested for leaks and proper installation. The last portion of the inspection is the electrical panel and any sub-panels. They are opened up (if safe to do so) and the interior of each is inspected. It is never recommended that a home owner perform work on these panels, yet many do. I will determine if they are in safe working order and check for any safety hazards and proper wiring techniques.

Completing the Home Inspection

When the inspection is completed all the data and digital photos are uploaded into my computer and an electronic report is emailed to you. This makes it very convenient for you to send to all individuals that may need to review the report. You can save to a disc and keep as long as needed. Hard copies can also be provided in a professional booklet for you. If a radon test is performed as part of the inspection, that also comes in an electronic format.

An inspection report is never complete until it is 100%. The last 5% is the most important and that is customer service. Once you have had a chance to review the report there might be questions. I always encourage my customers to call for explanations. If convenient for you, I will schedule an in-person meeting to go over all the details and any concerns you might have.

Pre-Sale Inspections

are a vital way to help you sell your property. The first step is to perform an actual home inspection and generate the report. This will bring you up to date on any deficiencies, safety hazards, or major concerns before a buyer’s inspector finds them. You can choose to make repairs as necessary or adjust the asking price in anticipation of negotiating what the buyer’s inspector finds. This saves you money and time. If you do perform repairs prior to listing, for a small fee, I can come and verify what was corrected and adjust the report accordingly. This will clean up the report and make the home more attractive to buyers. Sellers like Pre-Approved buyers and Buyers like Pre-Inspected homes. This saves the seller money and time to help expedite the real estate transaction.

Purchase Inspections

are vital to buyers who are going to invest a lot of money on a property they may have never seen before. This inspection will give you an overall view of the house reflecting any deficiencies, safety hazards, deferred cost items, and major concerns. Then you will have all the facts about the property at the time of the inspection to make an intelligent decision as whether or not to purchase. The inspection may save you thousands of dollars or keep you from buying a severely defective property. Again, it is the same electronic report which, with the push of a button, can be sent to anyone involved and streamline the process.

Hot Tub and Spa Inspections

can be helpful especially if you have never owned one before. I put the unit through a function test and open up the access panel to inspect the wiring and pumps for wear and tear. I also check the power wiring to make sure it is safe and up to code and the proper gauge.