Our
home inspection can take up to three hours, depending
on the size of the home. You are welcome to join
us and follow along on the inspection. Upon completion,
we will provide a detailed report of our findings.
If repairs are needed, we can recommend reputable
licensed contractors and oversee the repairs.
Pests: We
bring in Truly
Nolen to provide expert pest inspection. They
can identify wood destroying organisms (termites)
and other insect infestations.
Exterior: The
inspector walks on the roof (where safe and appropriate)
and notes preservation deficiencies. Roof runoff
controls and landscape drainage are checked and
improvements are recommended where necessary. Stoops,
steps, walks, drives, decks, balconies and patios
are checked for voids, surface problems, and safety
hazards. Walls, doors, roof trim, and shutters
are also examined.
Heating & Air
Conditioning: The inspector assesses
the capacity of the existing equipment to produce
comfortable conditions. By considering the age
of the existing equipment and the intended capacity,
the inspector can approximate the life expectancy
and recommend appropriate repairs.
Insulation: The
inspector will examine visible insulation, attic
vents, foundation vents, kitchen fans, bathroom
fans and the dryer vent.
Plumbing: The
piping and fixtures though out the house are checked
for functional flow and life expectancies. The
system is screened for unsanitary conditions and
potential repairs. The laundry equipment, tile
work, and domestic water heating equipment are
surveyed as well.
Structures: The
structure of the building is identified here in
terms of materials used, type of construction,
and the degree to which various areas are accessible
to the inspector. Significant sub-components, such
as foundation type, framing materials, etc. are
listed, as well as their idiosyncrasies. The inspector
also checks for major and minor problems in the
various structural systems of the building, including
the foundation, floor, wall, and roof framing.
Basement/Crawlspace/Slab: Water
Seepage probabilities and structural problems are
evaluated and remediation advice is given. The
inspector looks for possible problem areas that
could cause structural problems, such as poor soil,
surface drainage, close proximity to tree roots,
rotating stoops, etc.
Interior: The
inspector scans the wall, floor, and ceiling surfaces
for problematic conditions, such as visible evidence
of water penetration, potentially dangerous or
toxic materials, fire hazards, or security breaches.
The ventilation and energy conservation aspects
are identified and reported.
Electrical: The
existing electrical system is checked for sufficient
capacity and safety. Violations are referred to
a Licensed Electrical Contractor. The inspector
evaluates the system in terms of its current condition,
and considers its suitability for future intended
use. Upgrades and repairs are recommended where
appropriate.
Roof: The
inspector will examine roof coverings, valleys,
gutters, downspouts, splashblocks, flashing, skylights,
plumbing vents, ventilation and the chimney. The
age of the roof will be approximated, and signs
of leaks will be noted.
Environmental
Hazards: We report on environmental
hazards such as radon, lead, mold, EIFS (Exterior
Insulation Finish System -- a combination of
stucco and a foam insulation board), buried fuel
oil storage tanks, asbestos and fungus. Often,
such hazards can't be analyzed during a standard
home inspection, but they can be brought to everyone's
attention as an item needing more analysis or
presenting a potential liability. We offer mold
inspections.
