Residential Inspection
A residential inspection is a snapshot of property conditions that gives the overall “Big Picture” analysis of the property.
A pre-purchase home inspection is typically initiated by the buyer of a home or property. The home inspection is generally a visual and oftentimes noninvasive examination of a residential property. This type of home inspection generally takes from 3- 4 hours depending on the property size.
A pre-listing home inspection is typically initiated and bought by the seller or the listing real estate agent. A pre-listing home inspection is the same as a pre-purchase home inspection and has the same reporting methods, but the information is provided directly to the seller or agent before the house is listed.
The final inspection report will help reveal the significance of defects, deficiencies, improper building practices, and items that require extensive repair. Full copies of our completed inspection reports are often available the following day via email, website link, or physical copy. We will gladly provide a verbal summary of the inspection before leaving the site if you need the information sooner. Most of your concerns and questions can be addressed before the inspector leaves the site. “When a home inspection report reveals more than a client bargained for and the sale goes into stall mode, it will be the home that ruined it, not the inspector,” Wade Short explains.
Residential inspections often include but are not limited to the following:
What’s generally included?
- Grounds, Drainage
- Foundation, Structure
- Exterior
- Major Built-in Appliances
- Roofing, Chimney
- Attic, Ventilation
- Crawlspace
- Interior
- Plumbing
- Water Heater
- Electrical
- Heating, Cooling
11-Month Home Warranty Inspection
Most builders provide a one-year warranty for new construction. Generally during this period of time, the buyer develops a “punch list” of corrections for the contractor to repair under the warranty coverage. This will allow you to make a claim before the contract expires, saving you a great deal of time and heartache in the process. Allow us to thoroughly check your residence from top to bottom to discover if there are any issues your home warranty would cover.
So how can we help?
We perform a comprehensive warranty inspection during your 11th month of ownership. After the inspection you simply provide our written inspection report to your builder complete with photos and an easy to understand narrative describing the problems that were identified. The builder then is obligated to correct the deficiencies found.
When do I schedule an 11-month inspection?
We recommend double checking your warranty’s expiration date and then scheduling an appointment for 30 days prior to that. A complete inspection can take several hours, which is why we recommend setting aside at least 3-4 hours. Each home we inspect is unique in some way and so are home warranties. Full copies of our completed inspection reports are often available the following day via email, website link, or physical copy.
A standard 11-month builder’s home warranty inspection often includes but is not limited to the following:
What’s generally included?
- Major Built-in Appliances (if provided by the builder)
- Attic Joists, Insulation
- Roof, Soffits, Fascia
- Heating, Air Conditioning
- Doors, Windows
- Exterior Cladding
- Basement, Foundation, or Crawl Spaces
- Electrical Panel, Outlets
- Gutters, Downspouts
- Walls, Floors, Ceilings (to include the condition of drywall)
- Plumbing, Plumbing Fixtures
- Ventilation System
Pre-Delivery Home Inspection
A pre-delivery home inspection (PDI) is often commissioned by the buyer to inspect a newly built home. Usually, a pre-delivery home inspection takes place before closing. This inspection gives you the opportunity to review your home with an objective third party, your inspector.
Since a pre-delivery home inspection takes place before closing, major items may have been overlooked by the builder before the move in date. The home inspector is there to evaluate the integrity of the house and ensure all the major systems in the house have been installed and are functioning correctly. Additionally, the inspection helps to ensure that all terms of the contract have been met and the home has been substantially completed. Any noted defects are added to a punch list for completion prior to closing. Often a second inspection is conducted to ensure that the defects have been corrected. Full copies of our completed inspection reports are often available the following day via email, website link, or physical copy.
A standard pre-delivery home inspection report often includes but is not limited to the following:
What’s generally included?
- Heating, Air Conditioning
- Ventilation System
- Electrical Panel, Outlets
- Plumbing System, Plumbing Fixtures
- Basement, Foundation, Crawl Spaces
- Doors, Windows, Closets, Floors
- Major Built-in Appliances (if provided by the builder)
- Interior Finishes
- Caulking
- Grading, Sod
- Exterior Cladding
- Roof Ventilation
Annual Home Maintenance Inspection
Annual home maintenance inspections will help to keep your home in good condition and prevent it from suffering serious, long-term, and expensive damage from issues that should be addressed. A home maintenance inspection could potentially save on expensive home repairs or issues that may lead to major problems. If you have a persistent problem with your home that you want to get to the bottom of, you want help prioritizing repairs, you’d like to know the overall condition of your house, or you’d like to get an unbiased opinion on home improvements, then it’s time to schedule a home maintenance inspection. Full copies of our completed inspection reports are often available the following day via email, website link, or physical copy.
A standard annual home maintenance inspection often includes but is not limited to the following:
What’s generally included?
- Roof System, Chimney, Roof Penetrations
- Gutters, Downspouts
- Grading, Drainage
- Walkways, Driveway
- Garage Doors, Safety Sensors
- Exterior Cladding
- Deck, Stoops, Porches, Railings
- Windows, Doors
- Attic, Insulation, Ventilation
- Heating & Cooling Systems
- Plumbing System
- Drainage Sump Pump with Accessible Float
- Electrical System
- Fireplace Damper Door, Hearth
- Ceilings, Floors, Walls
- Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace
- Gas Leak Check
- Major Built-in Appliances
- Potential Safety Hazards
Duplex & Multiplex Inspections
We perform an objective visual examination of the physical structure and major systems from roof to foundation per ASHI “Standards of Practice” (based on accessibility to all areas and units of the property). Our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive report of everything we can see and equip you with the information and knowledge so you can make an educated decision regarding the property condition. Full copies of our completed inspection reports are often available the following day via email, website link, or physical copy.
A standard duplex & multiplex inspection report typically summarizes findings from a visual inspection of the property’s condition, often including but not limited to the following:
What’s generally included?
- Structure, Insulation, Venting, Moisture – Foundation, Beams, Columns, Footings, Floor & Roof Framing, Basement and Crawl Space Environments, Attic, Crawl Space Insulation & Ventilation, Chimneys, Vents
- Mechanical Systems and Utilities – Electrical Service Entry, Service Panels, Wiring, Outlets, Lighting and Controls, Main Water Service, Piping, Fixtures, Water Pressure, Wastewater Piping, Venting, Natural Gas Distribution and Integrity, Heating System, Cooling System, Distribution and Controls, Water Heating and Distribution, Laundry Connections and Equipment
- Living Space – Wall, Floor & Ceiling Surfaces, Door Operation, Windows & Hardware, Kitchen Surfaces, Major Built-in Appliances, Bathroom Surfaces, Fixtures & Ventilation, Fireplaces, Staircases, Access to Attic & Crawl Spaces
- Garages – Exterior Cladding, Roofing Surfaces, Garage Structure, Overhead Door and Operator, Passage Door, Garage Electrical
Exterior Components – Fences, Garden Walls, Paved Walks, Drives & Patios , Retaining Walls, Decks, Terraces, Surface Drainage, Landscaping, Roof, Chimney, Flashings, Valleys, Gutters, Downspouts, Decks, Porches, Balconies, Exterior Cladding, Entries, Windows
Infrared Thermal Imaging Survey
We include thermal imaging in every home inspection to ensure that there is absolutely nothing that we miss while inspecting your home. Thermal imaging is one of the indispensable tools we use for home inspections and is one of the most important types of inspections we can perform for you and your home.
IR cameras capture the light that exists just outside the visible spectrum. The thermal images that are produced quickly identify defects that may not always be apparent to the naked eye. Thermal images can show surface heat variations conducive to abnormally hot electrical components and connections, areas of moisture from leaks, heat loss and air leakage in the building envelope, areas of insufficient insulations, and structural damage based on apparent temperature differences.
Specialty Services
