Frequently Asked Questions

A typical home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property, performed for a fee. This type of inspection is designed to identify defects within individual systems and components relating to the physical structure and major mechanical systems of a home.

The purchase of a home is one of the largest single investments you will ever make. Forthat reason, it is particularly critical that you learn as much as you can about the condition of the property and the potential for any major repairs before making the purchase. Our goal is to help you minimize the possibility of unpleasant surprises, unexpected costs and post-purchase headaches. Throughout the inspection process, your inspector will offer maintenance tips to extract the longest use out of mechanical items and keep your investment in tip top shape. To that end, we are available for postinspection consultations as well. After the home inspection, you will have a much better understanding of the property you are about to purchase, which is the very reason it is so important.

In the case of a home buyer, a home inspector is typically contacted right after the contract or purchase agreement is signed with the seller. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can schedule your inspection to meet your needs within the confines of your purchase agreement. In the case of a home seller, we are called just prior to listing their home with a realtor. There are multiple reasons pre-listing inspections provide the seller with an edge in the market.

We prefer to invite our customers to participate in the home inspection process, when possible. It’s an educational opportunity for you to get to know your house before you make it your home! Here are some noteworthy reasons to consider:

1. You will be on-hand to observe the inspector and ask questions directly.
2. You will learn firsthand about the condition of the home so as to become familiar with its features and components.
3. You can understand how various systems work and how to maintain them. Your inspector is a valuable resource for this type of insight; he will be happy to share his experience with you.

If for any reason you cannot be present at the home inspection, we do provide a comprehensive electronic report, including digital photos, videos and descriptions of any issues identified. Also, we ask that you please make us aware of any particular concerns you may have prior to our appointment so that we can address them during our process, whether or not you attend the inspection.

A home inspection typically takes anywhere from 2 to 3 ½ hours. It really depends on the size, age and complexity of the home. Another factor that will impact the inspection duration is if the customer is present at the appointment and whether or not they have questions and concerns they would like answers to.

Our home inspection prices are based on age, square footage and peripheral options like a pool/spa system or unattached casita. Other factors include additional services such as asbestos sampling, mold inspections (both complete and limited), and energy audit reports.

We give each customer the same professional service regardless of the size or price of the home. Why not compare prices from several different home inspection services in your area, paying close attention to exactly what is included for the price. We proudly stand behind the outstanding value that we deliver for the money.

Not at all. It’s also for existing homeowners! If you are planning to sell your home, you know that eventually, your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical and neutral third party. This will give you a better understanding of issues which may be discovered by the buyer’s home inspection, and an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition so that defects won’t become negotiating stumbling blocks later. We proudly offer our professional inspection services to smooth out any potential transaction difficulties during the sale process.

Not Really. A home inspection is merely a thorough examination of the home’s current condition. To avoid any confusion, it’s helpful to know that we are not referring to an appraisal (which the bank requires to determine market value) nor a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. The objective for this type of inspection is not to “pass” or “fail” a house. Rather, to accurately and impartially describe its current condition and point out potential problems or concerns for your information as an interested party. We are hired to arm our client and their agent with carefully gathered knowledge in order to determine if the home meets their needs and standards.