Different Types of Home Inspection Services

Home Buyer Inspections

Buying a home is a big financial decision and a professional home inspector can help you make sure you are not buying a money pit.  Home Inspectors are trained to look for things you are not likely to notice.  The inspection will include checking the roof, exterior, interior, foundation, basement, fireplace, attic, insulation, ventilation, doors, windows, heating system, cooling system, plumbing system, and electrical system for certain defects.  With a detailed report on your potential home you will have a complete picture of what you're buying.  This will allow you to decide whether you still want to buy the home, negotiate a lower price, or move into your new home with more peace of mind. 

Pre-Listing Inspections

This type of inspection is typically performed before the home is listed on the market.  The inspector will provide a typical inspection and provide an inspection report to the seller and their real estate agent if requested.  A pre-listing inspection will allow you to see your home through the eyes of a critical and neutral third party.  It can alert you to immediate safety issues before potential buyers tour your home.  It can help you make repairs ahead of time or get reasonable bids from contractors for these repairs.  This way defects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later.  Having an inspection performed ahead of time can also help you and your real estate agent price your home realistically. 

Home Maintenance Inspections

This type of inspection is different because the motivation or objective is different.  Although the inspector still checks out all the main systems of the home - roof, walls, foundation, HVAC, electrical, & plumbing; the inspector will not test the appliances.  Installation of the appliances will be noted, as well as their projected life expectancy. The inspection will reveal small problems before they turn into big ones, or big problems that the homeowner was unaware of.  The inspector will walk you through the home, showing you what was found and explain what it means.  This will give you a chance to ask questions or get clarification.  You will also get a written report detailing everything the inspector found.  A home inspector provides an unbiased opinion on the condition of your home, they are not going to make money off doing any repairs and are not there to sell you anything but the truth.  We recommend getting a home maintenance inspection every 1 1/2 - 3 years, alternating seasons every time. (First inspection in the summer, second inspection in the winter). Inspection Fees starting at $250.00

Structural Pest Inspections (SPI)

A Structural Pest Inspection will determine if the home has any wood destroying organisms, their damage, or conditions conducive to their infestation.  Wood destroying organisms include insects or fungi that will consume, excavate, develop in, or otherwise modify the integrity of wood or wood products.  Wood destroying organisms can cause a lot of structural damage to a home if left undetected for a length of time.  Structural Pest Inspectors are trained to identify infestation of wood destroying organisms, or conditions that can lead to a wood destroying organism infestation in the future. Each Home Buyer Inspection, Pre-listing inspection, and Home Maintenance Inspection includes a Structural Pest Inspection at no additional charge.  However, we do also offer a stand alone Structural Pest Inspections if needed, such as for a VA refinance. 

Well Water Testing

As an add on to your Home Inspection we offer the collection of water to be tested for Bacteria or Nitrates.  This test is sometimes required when purchasing a home, but is also recommended this test be completed annually.  Coliform bacteria are organisms that are present in the environment and in the feces of all warm-blooded animals and humans.  This bacteria indicated "disease-causing organisms" could be in the water system.  Nitrates are chemicals found in most fertilizers, manure and liquid waste from septic systems.

Foundation Certifications

We have partnered with third party company in order to offer Foundation Certifications with your Home Inspection. If you are buying a manufactured home with an FHA or VA loan, then most likely the lender will require an engineer's foundation certification.  This add on service to your Home Inspection will show the lender if the home is placed on a permanent foundation or not.  

Sewer Scope

Sewer repairs can be extremely costly.  To avoid those costly repairs we recommend ordering a sewer scope with your regular home inspection.  It is better to find out if the sewer is faulty or needs replaced before the home is purchased, not after.  We will run a  specialized camera through the homes drainpipes and add any findings to the home inspection report.