• Home
• About Us
  -Qualifications
  -Services
  -What's Inspected
  -Why Choose Us ?
  -FAQ's
  -Inspection Fees
  -Satisfaction Survey
• VIEW YOUR REPORT
• References
• Areas Served
• Standards
• Inspection Agreement
• Inspection Request
• Home Buyers
• Home Sellers
• Homeowners
• Home Safety
• Renovation
• Contact Form
  -Privacy Policy
• Links of Interest
• Search Our Site
• Site Map

Frequently-Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most frequently-asked home inspection questions and their answers.

WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION?

A home inspection is a visual non-invasive, non-technically exhaustive, physical examination of the property. It is designed to identify material defects in systems, structures and components and its associated primary parking structures as they exist at the time of the inspection. A material defect is a condition which significantly affects value, desirability, habitability and/or safety of the building. Style, cosmetic items, guarantee/warranty for future performance, neighborhood and appraised value are not part of the inspection. The inspection is limited to those specific systems, components and structures that are present, visually accessible and identified in the inspection report. Systems and their components are operated with normal user controls only and only as conditions permit. There is no dismantling of any system structure, or components, or performing any intrusive or destructive examinations, test or analyses. Inspection does not include the operation or evaluation of any low voltage electrical antennas, security systems, cable television, internet, telephone, satellite, intercoms, timers, computers or any other non-primary electrical powered devices.

DO I REALLY NEED AN INSPECTION?

There is no such thing as a home that is too new or too well built to benefit from a professional inspection. Anyone advising against an inspection is doing a disservice to the home buyer. Many problems frequently encountered after the buyer moves in, are a routine discovery for a qualified home inspector. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase and be able make your decision confidently. As a seller, if you have owned your property for a period of time, an inspection can help identify potential problems and recommend preventive measures, which might avoid future expensive repairs.

DO I HAVE TO BE THERE?

It is not required for you to be present, but we highly encourage all our clients to accompany us during the inspection to see the property first-hand through the inspector's eyes. By following the inspector through the inspection, observing and asking questions, you will learn about the property and get some tips on general maintenance. If you're not able to attend the full inspection, possibly you can attend at the end, so together we can go on a detailed walk through to review our findings. The inspection time from start to finish is generally two to four hours.

IS THE SELLER REQUIRED TO "REPAIR EVERYTHING" WRONG WITH THE HOUSE?

No. sellers are not obligated to repair conditions noted in the report, nor are they required to produce a flawless house. With a home inspection, potential repair items already known by both parties are subject to any negotiations. A home seller can make repairs as matter of choice, not obligation; to foster good will or to facilitate the sale. Sellers maintain the legal right to refuse repair demands, except where requirements are set forth by state law, local ordinance, or real estate purchase contract.

CAN A HOUSE "FAIL" INSPECTION?

No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector will not "pass" or "fail" a house, but will accurately describe its current physical condition and recommend needed repairs or replacement.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Our inspection fees for a typical one-family house varies depending upon the size of the house, particular features, its age, etc., or any additional services you may request. 

COST SHOULD NOT BE A MAJOR FACTOR:

The cost should not be a factor in the decision whether or not to have a home inspection, or in the selection of your inspector. Compared to the price of the property, the inspection cost is very small. You might save many times the cost of the inspection because you now can make an educated decision and the lowest-priced inspector is not necessarily a bargain. The inspector's qualifications, including his experience, training and professional affiliations, should be the most important consideration.

IT'S BRAND NEW...WHAT COULD BE WRONG?

It is not good business to forego a home inspection on a newly constructed house, regardless of how conscientious and reputable your home builder. No home, regardless of how well it is constructed, is totally free of defects. The construction of a house involves thousands of details, performed at the hands of many individuals. No general contractor can possibly oversee every one of these elements and the very nature of human fallibility dictates that some mistakes and oversights will occur, even when the most talented and best-intentioned trade's people are involved. It is also an unfortunate aspect of modern times that some builders/developers do not stand behind their workmanship and may not return to fix or replace defective components installed after the sale is complete.