Q. Who needs a home inspection?

A. Buyers and sellers.  If you're buying a home, pre-owned or new, an inspection tells you the condition of the property.  That way, there are no surprises after you already own the home.
Sellers benefit by knowing the condition of their home before they place it on the market. Then, any needed repairs can be made prior to listing.  A sellers inspection can also be used as a comparison to what the buyer's inspector finds.
If you purchased a new home and it still has a warranty from the builder, it's a good idea to have a home inspection before it expires. It's a rare case that even a new home doesn't have some problems that were overlooked by the builder.  Those repairs or corrections easily exceed the cost of an inspection.  If you catch them prior to warranty expiration, your warranty should cover them.

Q. How long does a inspection take?

A. Anywhere from 2-1/2 to 3 hours depending on the condition of the property, the number of services you've requested and the size of the home.

Q. What type of report do I receive?

A. You'll receive your report in a high quality binder.  My reports are approximately 150 pages in size and contain every item I inspect.  The format is very user friendly and written in simple laymans terms.

Q. Will you give my Realtor a copy of your report?

A. No!. You purchased the report.  I do not discuss or disclose any of my findings without your permission.  You own the document.  However, if any items warrant re-negotiation with the seller, you may wish to discuss them with your Realtor.  Having your realtor review the report also insures that you both are "on the same page" at the closing.

Q. Should I be present for the home inspection?

A. Yes, I encourage you to plan to attend the entire inspection.  There are always items in the inspection that can best be explained on-site.  I will include them in the report of course, but your presence at the property always makes it easier for you to understand important information about the property.

It also gives you 2-1/2 to 3 hours in the home. This allows you the opportunity to feel comfortable about your choice and refresh your memory after a busy "home hunting" schedule.  You will have a chance to see first hand the maintenance requirements and discuss any areas of concern before you buy.  Attendance at your home inspection is strongly recommended.  There is no perfect home and you will learn first hand how to look after your investment.

Q.  Are you available to answer questions about the property or report after I close and move into the home?

A.  Yes, I will be happy to assist you any way I can in clarifying the information I present in the report.  Even after you've moved in and settled down to enjoy your new home.  I'm always available to you, for as long as you own the home, to offer unbiased advice and recommendations. 

Q.  Does a newly constructed home need an Inspection?

A.  Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. I can spot potential problems early, while they are still easy to correct.  It’s especially valuable to arrange an inspection before the interior walls are finished.  I may find problem areas where the builder has taken shortcuts or not done good work.

Q.  Why can’t I do the Inspection myself?

A.  Chances are that even if you are very familiar with home construction, you still don’t have the knowledge, training and experience of a professional Home Inspector. I'm not only familiar with all the systems of a home, and how they work and need to be maintained, but I also know what to look for to determine if they're about ready to fail.  But beyond the repairs and expenses, no house is going to be perfect. It is up to you to decide how any problems the inspection uncovers might affect your decision to purchase. If major problems are discovered, you may want to try negotiating with the seller to have them repaired before closing on the property. Or perhaps the seller will lower the price, or offer more favorable contract terms. In the end, the decision rests with you, but knowing about potential problems, before you buy, gives you the power to negotiate and make the best decisions.

Q.  Will you fix the problems you find during the Inspection?

A.  No. The code of ethics of The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) prohibits its members from soliciting repair work on properties they inspect. This assures that there will never be any conflict of interest by the inspector. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective third party report on the condition of the home technical expertise and experience a professional inspector brings, it is important to remember that the inspector remains an impartial third party. If you are involved in buying or selling a house, it’s impossible for you to remain completely unemotional about the house, and this may cloud your judgment. The professional inspector will provide an objective outside reporting of the facts.