FAQs

Even the most experienced building or homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional inspector who has inspected hundreds, and perhaps thousands of homes and buildings in their career. Defects must be documented by a professional inspector and presented in an inspection report for you to present to the seller of the property for potential negotiations or terminate the contract. If serious issues are found, the only thing that will allow you to walk away from the contract legally is the inspection report. Some states or financial lenders require a licensed inspector to complete the inspection.

Knowing the length of time for an inspection is important because that time must be arranged with the realtor and the current owner for the inspector to examine the house. A typical home inspection takes our inspectors about three to four hours. 

The inspection is designed to tell you what needs to be repaired in the house. It is not a matter of pass or fail. There may be some requirements that the house needs to meet for your financial lender to lend you the money for the home. This does not mean that the house has “failed” the inspection and will not be able to be sold.

We recommend that you schedule an inspection as soon as your offer has been accepted. You should also make sure to have your real estate agent include in the contract a grace period that allows you to inspect the building before the sale is finalized. The grace period is typically 7-14 days in our geographical area.

Home inspectors are not general contractors or licensed technicians. Performing repairs at the inspection or offer to complete repairs once you close on the home is a conflict of interest and violates the Code of Ethics we abide by.

The cost of a home inspection usually comes out of pocket of the potential homebuyer. The inspection fee for a typical single-family house or commercial building varies on several factors, including the age, size, and characteristics of the home. Some inspectors meet the Standards of Practice when conducting home inspections, and others exceed that same Standard of Practice. The difference between a $250.00 inspection and a $300.00 inspection is likely the level of effort put into inspecting the home. The cost should not be a factor in the decision of whether to have a physical inspection. You might recoup the cost of the inspection many times over if you can have the seller perform repairs based on significant problems revealed by the inspector.

The home inspection is a valuable experience for you as a home buyer and future homeowner. We encourage all our clients to attend the inspection. You will be able to see firsthand what potential problems exist now or may arise soon. Knowing what looks normal and what a problem looks like will help you later in maintaining your home. If you are short on time or unable to attend the inspection, we will be sure to spend time with you over the phone and can answer questions you have. 

If problems are discovered during the inspection, the seller of the home is not automatically required to repair any issues that the inspector finds. As the buyer, you can negotiate for the repairs to be made before you buy the home. If the seller is not willing to do the repairs for you, you will need to make other arrangements or terminate the contract. If you still want to purchase the house but are unable to get the financial lender to approve the loan until the repairs are made, you may have to make the repairs at your own expense.

Your financial and personal needs for the home are unique to you. We are there to observe and report on the functionality of the house, to assist you in making an informed decision. Our job is to observe, report, and educate you about your home systems and major components.

The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors; the foundation, basement, and structural components.