Home Inspection FAQs
WE ARE YOUR PERSONAL BUILDING CONSULTANT.
Buying a home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing house before you buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will know more about the house, which will allow you to make decisions with confidence.
If you already are a homeowner, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs.
If you are planning to sell your home, a home inspection can give you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.
A typical home inspection should take 2 to 3 hours to complete. This can vary, given the current condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on. As a courtesy to sellers, we recommend that they be informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.
We inspect the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior Components, Site Grading, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior Systems. Our goal is to identify any existing problems that would affect a typical buyer’s decision to purchase.
Our typical fee for a home inspection starts at $375.00. However, some factors will affect the fee, such as the size and age of the home. If you are comparing home inspection firms, do not let cost be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a home inspection or in the selection of your home inspector. The sense of security and knowledge gained from an inspection is well worth the cost, and the lowest-priced inspection is not necessarily a bargain. Use the inspector’s qualifications, including experience, training, compliance with your state’s regulations, if any, and professional affiliations as a guide.
Complete home inspection conducted by an experienced professional with over 20 years experience in the Trades Industry.
Comprehensive written and illustrated home inspection report with interactive links to additional technical information.
Technical support for as long as you own your home.
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and home safety. He or she knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they fail.
Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may have an effect on their judgment. For accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a professional in the field of home inspection.
Definitely. Now you can complete your home purchase with confidence. You’ll have learned many things about your new home from the inspector’s written report, and will have that information for future reference.
While it’s not required that you be present for the inspection, it is highly recommended. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions as you learn about the condition of the home and how to maintain it. Please be mindful that our Inspectors are extremely thorough and professional and will need proper spacing and time to complete your home inspection.
You don’t have to take notes during the inspection. We will document everything in a written report. It’s much better to follow the inspector through, listening to his comments to make sure you understand. It’s also a great opportunity to ask questions and to clarify anything that confuses you.
Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home. You should also feel free to stop the inspector and ask questions as you go. If the inspector’s comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for further explanation.
You should dress comfortably and be prepared to spend roughly 2 1/2 hours walking through the home with the inspector. You won’t have to climb on the roof or go into the attic, so your clothes won’t get dirty.
We recommend that you not bring your family; this is a technical evaluation, and you should focus on the inspector’s comments – the fewer distractions, the better.
You do receive a written report. It would be unfair to ask you to remember all of the things we cover during a home inspection. Our reports are illustrated, interactive, and full of additional useful technical information. The report also includes a summary of the condition of the home and details on all the major systems of the home. It is emailed within 24 hours after the inspection.
No. Our goal is to report on the condition of the house, indicating potential repairs and expenses. Ultimately, it is your decision as to whether or not you buy the house. The home inspection is very important but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Only you know all of the factors regarding your next home purchase.
A home inspection is a professional opinion based on less-than-complete information at a given moment in time. It’s a little like getting a check-up from your doctor: It improves your odds of good health but there is no guarantee or warranty.
Some problems can only be discovered by living in a house – they cannot be discovered during a home inspection. For example, some shower stalls leak when people use the shower but don’t leak when you simply turn on the shower. Some roofs and basements only leak when specific weather conditions exist. Some problems will only be discovered when carpets are lifted, furniture is moved or finishes are removed and exposed. As such, we cannot and do not offer a warranty on the house.
Home warranty programs are available from others. We would be happy to help you contact a warranty company.
We currently have 1 full-time professional available to perform inspections. Our inspector has an extensive background and experience in the home inspection industry.
George has an extensive resume which includes, but is not limited to, being a Certified Inspector, State certified home inspector in North Carolina and South Carolina, State licensed home inspector in North Carolina and South Carolina, Certified Professional Inspector, InterNACHI Member and Certified NACA Preferred Home Inspector. He is often used as an expert witness in the State of North Carolina in multiple municipalities. Throughout his career he has performed over 1,000 inspections personally
We are ready to serve you quickly. However, when the sale of a home is conditional on the results of a home inspection, we recommend that you allow at least three to five days to arrange for a home inspection. We also perform weekend and evening inspections.
