Q: What is a Home Inspection?
A: A Generalist Home Inspection is a professional examination of the visible and accessible areas of all the systems and physical structural elements of a home as of a specific date and time.
Q: Do I really need a Home Inspection?
A: The answer is "YES" with clarification. For instance: If you're a Buyer you should schedule an inspection before you buy. This is called a Pre-purchase inspection; If you're a Seller you should schedule a Pre-Listing or as it is sometimes called a Pre-Market Inspection. This helps you identify problems ahead of the Buyer's inspector; it gives you time to implement repair strategies and gives you leverage as you negotiate the contract; If you're a Home Owner, certainly you should schedule an annual Home Owners Maintenance Inspection or at the very least a One Year Builder's Warrany Inspection. Beyond those mentioned, there are many other types of specific inspections that can be performed. For instance Insurance Companies sometimes request a Four-Point Inspection.
Q: Who benefits from a Home Inspection?
A: As we see it - everyone benefits. There is no down side. The Buyer benefits because he's able to make informed decisions; The Seller, because an impartial unbiased inspection increases his negotiating power; The Home Owner, because he's given information that will help him implement strategies to maintain or otherwise increase the value of his porperty; The Realtor and other professionals because inspections when they are professionally done are tools that create market dynamics where all interested parties gets paid for thier investment of time, labor and expertise; and then there's the Community as a whole that benefits for a variety of reasons.
A: As we see it - everyone benefits. There is no down side. The Buyer benefits because he's able to make informed decisions; The Seller, because an impartial unbiased inspection increases his negotiating power; The Home Owner, because he's given information that will help him implement strategies to maintain or otherwise increase the value of his porperty; The Realtor and other professionals because inspections when they are professionally done are tools that create market dynamics where all interested parties gets paid for thier investment of time, labor and expertise; and then there's the Community as a whole that benefits for a variety of reasons.
Q: As a Buyer, how soon should I schedule a Home Inspection?
A: As a general rule, a home inspections should be scheduled as soon as possible after the contract is signed and should be completed usually within ten days of signing the contract. When you choose The Home Inspector to perform your inspection, inspections may be scheduled either by phone, fax, email or directly from our website. Every attempt will be made by The Home Inspector to accomodate your schedule.
A: As a general rule, a home inspections should be scheduled as soon as possible after the contract is signed and should be completed usually within ten days of signing the contract. When you choose The Home Inspector to perform your inspection, inspections may be scheduled either by phone, fax, email or directly from our website. Every attempt will be made by The Home Inspector to accomodate your schedule.
Q: Can A House Fail a Home Inspection?
A: Absolutely not. A home inspection report is not graded on a pass-fail system. A generalist home inspection is a thorough examination of the current condition of the visible and accessible areas of the home and the associated systems and structures therein. When you choose The Home Inspector you recieve a professional report that documents the observations and recommendations based on his training, education, experience, and established standardized inspection procedures of one or more professional affiliations.
A: Absolutely not. A home inspection report is not graded on a pass-fail system. A generalist home inspection is a thorough examination of the current condition of the visible and accessible areas of the home and the associated systems and structures therein. When you choose The Home Inspector you recieve a professional report that documents the observations and recommendations based on his training, education, experience, and established standardized inspection procedures of one or more professional affiliations.
Q: When Do I Get The Home Inspection Report?
A: If you're present at the inspection - and this is highly recommended - The Home Inspector will usually point out to you those deferred maintenance items that are in need of immediate attention and this may be accompanied by a bulletted summary report. Then, usually within the next 24-hours, you'll recieve via email a full narrative report. This report is usually accompanied with digital photos taken during the inspection. If email is not convenient, the report is sent by first class mail.
A: If you're present at the inspection - and this is highly recommended - The Home Inspector will usually point out to you those deferred maintenance items that are in need of immediate attention and this may be accompanied by a bulletted summary report. Then, usually within the next 24-hours, you'll recieve via email a full narrative report. This report is usually accompanied with digital photos taken during the inspection. If email is not convenient, the report is sent by first class mail.
Q: How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost?
A: Prices may vary from one inspector to the other even as the quality and the number of services provided may vary. With a generalist home inspection, price is based normally on the gross square footage of the home; if additional services are provided the cost of those services are added to the price initially quoted. Since each home is unique and no two homes are alike, price is usually quoted only when the Inspector has been fully informed of all particulars.
A: Prices may vary from one inspector to the other even as the quality and the number of services provided may vary. With a generalist home inspection, price is based normally on the gross square footage of the home; if additional services are provided the cost of those services are added to the price initially quoted. Since each home is unique and no two homes are alike, price is usually quoted only when the Inspector has been fully informed of all particulars.
Q: Who pays for the Home Inspection?
A: The person who retains the services of The Home Inspector usually pays for the inspection. At times this responsibility may be delegated to another party.
Q. How much time could an inspection take?
Inspection times may vary based on the size, age, condition and features of the home. Generally however, a generalist home inspection for a 2,000 sq. ft. 3BR2B home may average anywhere between 2-3 hours.
Q: How Do I Pay The Inspector?
A: Normally, payment is due, on site, at the conclusion of the inspection. Cash, check or debit or credit card are accepted. The price is quoted before the inspection begins.
A: Normally, payment is due, on site, at the conclusion of the inspection. Cash, check or debit or credit card are accepted. The price is quoted before the inspection begins.
Q: Should I be present during the Inspection?
A: We recommend it highly. Your presence at the inspection gives us the opportunity to point out certain things in one second that may take two paragraphs to explain.
A: We recommend it highly. Your presence at the inspection gives us the opportunity to point out certain things in one second that may take two paragraphs to explain.
Q: What if I have questions after the inspection?
A: When you choose The Home Inspector to perform your inspection, the first thing we request is that you read the report in its' entirety. Then, if you still have questions, please contact us via email, voice, fax or phone and we'll do our best to answer all questions. Ideally this process should occur within seven days of the completion of the inspection. Beyond that you may call us at anytime with other questions and we'll do our best to answer your questions. Beyond the inspection we seek to build relationships. We see our service as a long-term investment in people we care about.
