Q: Why do I need a home inspection?
A: To home buyers: Buying a home is a big step, and a big decision. So whether you are buying your 10th house, or your first house, let’s face it, buying a home is a big investment. That’s where a home inspection comes in! Do you want to buy a house “blind”? Or would you rather make an investment you know you can trust and enjoy? Our certified and licensed home inspectors provide their expert and personalized knowledge of homes and structures to put your mind at ease when looking to buy a home. Let us do the worrying for you!
A: To home sellers: The majority of people looking to sell their house would like to sell it as soon as possible after putting it on the market. A pre-listing home inspection can speed the process of selling your house considerably. Put yourself in the shoes of the person/people wanting to buy your house. If you already have an inspection report to show them, this can provide them peace of mind in their decision to potentially buy your house, this could smooth and speed the process, and possibly begin immediate negotiations!
Q: Why can’t I just do the inspection myself?
A: You could look at the home yourself if you would like. However, our inspectors are highly trained, very experienced and uniquely qualified to find defects and deficiencies you may never even think of. Our home inspectors do a thorough visual investigation into all the major systems of the house, they have a very extensive knowledge of how a home is built and operates, and know how to spot defects almost immediately. So our belief is, why not pay a small fee to a trained and experienced professional so you know for sure what you are planning to buy or sell?
Q: Can a house fail a home inspection?
A: No a house cannot fail a home inspection. A home inspection is a visual inspection performed in order to find deficiencies or defects that are then brought to your attention. The home inspection is not meant to “rate” a house for its overall condition, only to uncover defects in order to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
Q: What if the home inspection reveals defects?
A: Don’t worry, no home is perfect. To be honest, the inspection most likely will reveal some defects. However, this will not necessarily change your decision about buying the house. What it will do though, is give you the information you need to make decisions about budgeting or negotiating, depending on the size and seriousness of the issue. We are here to help you know what you are diving into, not to sway your decision one way or another. That decision has to be yours, and we will give you the professional support to make that big decision easier.
Q: Should I be present for the home inspection?
A: We always recommend the client be present for the inspection. Of course, we know that everyone can’t always be present for the inspection. However, there are several advantages to being present. First of all, it gives you the chance to see the home through a third party’s eyes. Buying a home is exciting! But being there during the inspection helps you to be more objective. Second, you can ask as many questions as you like! There are no dumb questions. Many people make a list of questions beforehand that they would like to ask the inspector, and we encourage you to do so! Third, when we find a defect, it is much easier for you to understand the problem if you have seen it in person first. Don’t worry! Everything we find will be in a written report. But we find it is much easier for people to visualize something when it has been physically pointed out to them.
Q: How long does a home inspection take?
A: A typical home inspection take about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the home, square footage, condition and a few other factors.
Q: How much does a home inspection cost?
A: Cost is based on square footage and a few other minor variables.