HOME INSPECTION

A BASIC HOME INSPECTION is a visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property. The inspection is non-invasive, meaning the inspector will not use tools or devices, or any other method, to cut into or remove any part of the home, in order to complete the inspection, unless authorized by the owner of the property. The Basic Home Inspection techniques used are designed to identify defects and material defects, within specific residential systems and components of the property. The conditions that could be deemed as defects must be both observable and deemed material by the inspector, at the time of the Inspection. The scope and quality of the inspection are defined by a Standards of Practice that inspectors must follow, in order to be and remain certified. The scope or range, of the work being completed, may be modified by the Client and the Inspector, prior to the inspection process.

OUR FEE FOR A BASIC HOME INSPECTION IS $350 FOR PROPERTIES UNDER 2000 SQUARE FEET AND IT COMES WITH A FREE TERMITE INSPECTION. OTHER SYSTEMS AND SERVICES CAN BE REQUESTED, AT THE TIME OF ARRANGING THE INSPECTION.

These are the residential systems that come with a basic home inspection: [Please Select One For More Information]

HOME INSPECTOR

15 PLUS YEARS IN THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS

Our inspectors participate in the “Internachi Buy Back Program“. Select this “Buy Back” Link for more detailed information.

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RESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS

ROOFS

The ROOF inspection includes an Inspection, from ground level or from a ladder when possible, of the roof-covering materials, the gutters, downspouts, eaves, vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, and other roof penetrations, in addition to the general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.
The inspection shall provide you with a description of the type of roof-covering materials and shall report any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction, in addition to any observed indications of active roof leaks.

EXTERIOR

The EXTERIOR inspection includes the exterior wall-covering materials, the eaves, soffits and fascia, a representative number of windows, all exterior doors, flashing and trim, adjacent walkways and driveways, stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps, porches, patios, decks, balconies and carports, railings, guards and handrails, in addition to the vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property, where they may adversely affect the structure due to moisture intrusion.
The inspection shall provide you with a description, of the type, of exterior wall-covering materials and shall report any improper spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails, in addition to any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction.

BASEMENT, FOUNDATION & STRUCTURE

The BASEMENT, FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE & STRUCTURE inspection includes the accessible parts of the foundation, basement, crawlspace; and other structural components.

The inspection shall provide you with a description, of the type, of foundation, the location of the access to the under-floor space and shall report any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction, including:
• observed indications of wood in contact with or near soil;
• observed indications of active water penetration;
• observed indications of possible foundation movement, such as sheetrock cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, and unlevel floors; and
• any observed cutting, notching and boring of framing members that may, in the inspector’s opinion, present a structural or safety concern.

HEATING AND COOLING

The HVAC: HEATING & COOLING inspection includes the heating and cooling systems, using normal operating controls.

The inspection shall provide you with a description of the location of the thermostat for the heating and cooling systems, in addition to the energy sources and the methods used for the heating and cooling.

The inspection shall also provide you with a report of any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction, including any part of the heating and cooling systems that did not operate and if the systems were deemed inaccessible.

PLUMBING

The PLUMBING inspection includes the main water supply shut-off valve, the main fuel supply shut-off valve, the water heating equipment, including the energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing, interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, by running the water, all toilets for proper operation by flushing, all sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage, the drain, waste and vent system and the drainage sump pumps, with accessible floats.

The inspection shall provide you with a description of whether the water supply is public or private based upon observed evidence, the location of the main water supply shut-off valve, the location of the main fuel supply shut-off valve, the location of any observed fuel-storage system and the capacity of the water heating equipment, if labeled.
The inspection shall also provide you with a report of any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction, including:
• any deficiencies in the water supply by viewing the functional flow in two fixtures operated simultaneously;
• any deficiencies in the installation of hot and cold water faucets;
• any active plumbing water leaks that were observed during the inspection; and
• any toilets that were damaged, had loose connections to the floor, were leaking, or had tank components that did not operate.

ELECTRICAL

The ELECTRICAL inspection includes the service drop, the overhead service conductors and attachment point, the service head, gooseneck and drip loops, the service mast, service conduit and raceway, the electric meter and base, service-entrance conductors, the main service disconnect, panelboards and over-current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses), service grounding and bonding, a representative number of switches, lighting fixtures and receptacles, including receptacles observed and deemed to be arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)-protected using the AFCI test button, where possible, all ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles and circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs using a GFCI tester, where possible and for the presence of smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.

The inspection shall provide you with a description of the main service disconnect’s amperage rating, if labeled, plus the type of wiring observed and shall also provide you with a report of any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction, including:
• deficiencies in the integrity of the service-entrance conductors’ insulation, drip loop, and vertical clearances from grade and roofs;
• any unused circuit-breaker panel opening that was not filled;
• the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch-circuit wiring, if readily visible;
• any tested receptacle in which power was not present, polarity was incorrect, the cover was not in place, the GFCI devices were not properly installed or did not operate properly, evidence of arcing or excessive heat, and where the receptacle was not grounded or was not secured to the wall; and
• the absence of smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors

FIREPLACE

The FIREPLACE inspection includes readily accessible and visible portions of the fireplaces and chimneys, lintels above the fireplace openings, damper doors by opening and closing them, if readily accessible and manually operable and the cleanout doors and frames.
The inspection shall provide you with a description, of the type, of fireplace and shall also provide you with a report of any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction, including:
• evidence of joint separation, damage or deterioration of the hearth, hearth extension or chambers;
• manually operated dampers that did not open and close;
• the lack of a smoke detector in the same room as the fireplace;
• the lack of a carbon-monoxide detector in the same room as the fireplace; and
• cleanouts not made of metal, pre-cast cement, or other non-combustible material.

ATTIC, VENTILATION & INSULATION

The ATTIC, INSULATION & VENTILATION inspection includes the insulation in unfinished spaces, attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas. It includes the inspection of the ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas, in addition to the mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry area.

The inspection shall provide you with a description, of the type, of insulation observed, the approximate average depth of insulation observed, at the unfinished attic floor area or roof structure.

The inspection shall also provide you with a report of any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction, including the general absence of insulation or ventilation in unfinished spaces.

DOORS, WINDOWS & INTERIOR

The DOORS, WINDOWS & INTERIOR inspection includes a representative number of doors and windows, by opening and closing them, in addition to the floors, walls, ceilings, stairs, steps, landings, stairways, ramps, railings, guards, handrails, vehicle garage doors and the operation of vehicle garage door openers, using normal operating controls.

The inspection shall provide you with a description, of the garage door as it is manually-operated or if it is installed with a garage door opener.

The inspection shall also provide you with a report of any observable material defects and conditions in need of correction, including:
• improper spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails for steps, stairways, guards and railings;
• photo-electric safety sensors that did not operate properly; and
• any window that was obviously fogged or displayed other evidence of broken seals.

ATTACHED DECKS, BALCONIES, PORCH, PATIOS, STAIRS, STOOPS & RAILINGS

All ATTACHED DECKS, BALCONIES, PORCHES, PATIOS, STAIRS, STOOPS & RAILINGS will be inspected for defects, extreme “wear & tear”, excessive weathering, proper installation, proper spacing of railings and handrails, lack of maintenance and excessive settling.

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We will be more than happy to provide you with the best service possible. Please, give us a call today to discuss your options and schedule your inspection.