Frequently Asked Questions About Home Inspections

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For many people, the purchase of a home is the largest investment they will ever make. Therefore, it is important to have the home visually inspected inside and outside for potentially costly defects. The inspection is thorough, but is not technically exhaustive as it is only visual. Now a days many lenders require a licensed home inspection before purchasing a home.

Our complete visual home inspection includes the following:

Exterior

1. All exterior walls and coverings, flashing and trim; 2. All exterior doors including garage doors and operators; 3. All attached or adjacent decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches and railings; 4. All eaves, soffits and fascias where accessible from the ground level; 5. All adjacent walkways, patios and driveways on the subject property; 6. The condition of a representative number of windows. 

Roofing

 1. Roofing materials and condition; 2. Roof drainage systems; 3. Flashing; 4. Skylights, chimneys and roof penetrations. 

Plumbing

 1. Interior water supply and distribution systems including fixtures and faucets; 2. Drain, waste and vent systems; 3. Water heating equipment and vents and pipes; 4. Fuel storage and fuel distribution systems and components; 5. Drainage sumps, sump pumps, ejector pumps and related piping; 6. Active leaks. (b) In inspecting plumbing systems and components, home inspectors shall operate all readily accessible: 1. Fixtures and faucets; 2. Domestic hot water systems; 3. Drain pumps and waste ejectors pumps; 4. The water supply at random locations for functional flow; 5. Waste lines from random sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage; 

Electrical

1. Service drop; 2. Service entrance conductors, cables and raceways; 3. The main and branch circuit conductors for property over current protection and condition by visual observation after removal of the readily accessible main and sub electric panel covers; 4. Service grounding; 5. Interior components of service panels and sub-panels; 6. A representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles; 7. A representative number of ground fault circuit interrupters. (b). Home inspections shall describe readily accessible and observable portions of: 1. Amperage and voltage rating of the service; 2. The location of main dis-connects and sub-panels; 3. The presence of aluminum branch circuit wiring; 4. The presence or absence of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; 

Heating System 

1. Describe the type of fuel, heating equipment and heating distribution system; 2. Operate the systems using thermostats; 3. Open readily accessible and operable access panels provided by the manufacturer or installer for routine homeowner maintenance; 4. Observe and report on the condition of normally operated controls and components of the systems; 5. Observe and report on visible flue pipes, dampers and related components for functional operation; 6. Observe and report on the presence of and the condition of a representative number of heat sources in each habitable space of the residential building; 7. Observe and report on the operation of fixed supplementary heat units; 8. Observe and report on visible components of vent systems, flues and chimneys; 

Air-Conditioning Systems

1. Observe, describe and report on the type of air conditioning equipment and air conditioning distribution system; 2. Operate the system using the thermostat; 3. Open a representative number of readily accessible and operable access panels provided by the manufacturer for routine homeowner maintenance; 4. Observe and report on the condition of normally operated controls and components of the system. 

Interior 

1. Observe and report on the material and general condition of walls, ceilings and floors; 2. Observe and report on steps, stairways and railings; 3. Observe, operate and report on garage doors, garage door safety devices and garage door operators; 4. Where visible and readily accessible, observe and report on the bath and/or kitchen vent fan ducting to determine if it exhausts to the exterior of the residential building; 5. Observe, operate and report on a representative number of primary windows and interior doors; 6. Observe and report on visible signs of water penetration. 

Insulation and Ventilation 

1. Observe, describe and report on insulation in accessible, visible unfinished spaces; 2. Observe, describe and report on ventilation of accessible attics and foundation areas; 3. Observe and report on mechanical ventilation systems in visible accessible areas. 

Fireplaces

1. Observe and report on visible and accessible system components; 2. Observe and report on visible and accessible chimneys and vents; 3. Observe and report on chimney caps; 4. Observe and report on fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances; 5. Observe and report on chimneys; 6. Observe, operate and report on accessible fireplace dampers 

 Attics 

 1. Observe and report on any safe and readily accessible attic space describing: The method of observation used; and 2. Report on any conditions observed. 

The average on-site inspection time for a single inspector is two to three hours for a typical single-family house; anything significantly less may not be enough time to perform a thorough inspection. Additional inspectors may be brought in for very large properties and buildings. In most cases you will receive your report within 24 hours of the completion of the inspection.  

Though your presence at the inspection is not a requirement, we do highly encourage you attend so that you may observe the process. Additionally, the report is much easier to understand if you have seen the issues in person. 

Yes.  You will receive a dteailed written report of your inspection within 24 hours of the physical inspection. This is generally sent via e-mail, but hard copies can be made available.

Yes! All utilities must be turned on prior to the inspector’s arrival, as the inspection cannot be thoroughly completed if they are not. This will also result in an additional return visit fee. Your agent can arrange for the utilities to be turned on if they are not already.