Question 1

Do I need a home inspection?

Accepted Answer

A home inspection is one of the biggest parts of buying or selling a home. If you are a seller you can use it to fix current issues before listing the home. If you are a buyer you can use it to negotiate repairs and/or price before you buy the home. It’s a lot easier to spend a couple hundred on an inspection than to spend thousands on possible repairs later on.

Question 2

What do you inspect?

Accepted Answer

When performing a home inspection I follow the Virginia and InterNACHI Standards of Practice. You can see what all is included in that by visiting this link.

Question 3

Do I have to be present for the inspection?

Accepted Answer

No you don’t, but I recommend that you are for your own benefit. When you follow me during an inspection I can talk to you about what I am inspecting and help you get a good sense of the home. I also encourage that you ask questions along the way!

Question 4

When is payment due?

Accepted Answer

Payment is due before the inspection report is released. I accept cash, VENMO, and credit/debit cards as payment.

Question 5

If there is a problem, will you give an estimate on what it will cost to fix?"

Accepted Answer

I avoid giving estimates on cost because I’d hate to give a client an incorrect or false estimate on something. If I do find an issue with your home, I will generally recommend that the proper qualified professional be called to come take look at it, that way you can get a more accurate estimate.

Question 6

Do you make deals with realtors to leave things out of the report so they have a better chance of selling the house?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not, I am there for you (the client) and you only. I will give an honest, unbiased, report on everything I see as accurately as I can.

Question 7

Will I get a copy of the report?

Accepted Answer

You bet! Once I finish the home inspection, I will put the report together and email it to you in an online and PDF format within 24 hours of the inspection being completed.

Question 8

Does the report include pictures?

Accepted Answer

Yes it does, I include pictures of issues I find and also include videos to help better point out where the problem may exist.

Question 9

Does the report have a summary page?

Accepted Answer

Yes it does! The summary page has a list of any major/safety concerns, recommended improvements and maintenance items. This page will be at the beginning of the report and although it’s nice to have most issues listed out here, I highly recommend  reading the report in its entirety as it will give you more information and photos on any issues or concerns.  Don’t let the summary page overwhelm you! Most of the items listed in summary pages are just suggested improvement items that would benefit the house. Always remember, no house is perfect not even brand new ones!

Question 10

Do you belong to a professional association?

Accepted Answer

Yes I do! I am currently a Certified Professional Inspector through InterNACHI.

Question 11

Do you participate in continuing education programs to keep your expertise up to date?

Accepted Answer

I sure do! As a matter of fact part of Virginia state requirements for licensed home inspectors is to have at least 5 hours of continuing education per year to maintain a license. As a member of InterNACHI I am required to have 24 hours of continued education per year so I am constantly up to date and staying educated.

Question 12

Will you inspect geothermal heating systems?

Accepted Answer

No. I’ll check for the basic operation of the system, but that’s all. There is far too much that can go wrong with the design and installation of these systems. To anyone buying a home with geothermal heat I recommend obtaining detailed installation and service records for the system, as well as an inspection by an HVAC company who specializes in geothermal heat.

Question 13

What is not inspected in a home inspection?

Accepted Answer

There are items that are not required to be inspected during a home inspection. This does not necessarily mean that your inspector won’t take a look at them. These items include, but are not limited to:
fences and gates (if they are directly affecting the house in a negative way I will mention the issues in the report)
screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories (if they have significant defects I will mention them in the report)
geological and/or soil conditions
seawalls, break-walls, and docks
outbuildings or any other detached structure with the exception of garages and carports
erosion control and earth stabilization measures
pools and spas
refrigerators (I test for operation, cold or not cold)
washers
dryers
clothes washing machine connections (I look for signs of leaks and corrosion)
wells, well pumps, or water storage related equipment
solar water heating systems
fire and lawn sprinkler systems
private waste disposal systems
window A/C units
central vacuum systems (I test for working or not working)
water softeners
alarm and intercom systems
low voltage wiring systems
ancillary wiring systems and components
measure amperage, voltage, or impedance (I measure voltage on main service lines)
heat exchangers (these are rarely visible and never fully visible)
humidifiers or dehumidifiers
electronic air filters
solar space heating systems
underground items including underground storage tanks
outdoor cooking appliances
satellites, antennas, or other installed accessories
interiors of flues or chimneys that are not readily accessible
and any item that is not a permanent component of the home.
paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments (I consider these cosmetics)
carpeting
window treatments
household appliances
fire screens and doors on fireplace
automatic fuel feed devices
mantels and fireplace surrounds (I check mantels for proper attachment)
heat distribution assists (gravity fed and fan assisted)
Drop ceilings tiles are not removed as they are easily damaged and this is a non-invasive inspection (if I suspect leaks or defects I will move tiles in areas for better visual)

Question 14

The inspector does not determine:

Accepted Answer

The inspector does not determine:
the condition of systems and components that are not readily accessible
the remaining life expectancy of systems and components (I may comment on large appliances)
methods, materials, and costs of corrections
future conditions including but not limited to failure of systems and components
the suitability of the property for specialized uses
compliance of systems and components with past and present requirements and guidelines (codes, regulations, laws, ordinances, specifications, installation and maintenance instructions, use and care guides, etc.)
the market value of the property and its marketability
the advisability of purchasing the property
the presence of plants, animals, and other life forms and substances that may be hazardous or harmful to humans including, but not limited to, wood destroying organisms, molds and mold-like substances (If I see substance that resembles mold I will mention it in the report)
the presence of environmental hazards including, but not limited to, allergens, toxins, carcinogens, electromagnetic radiation, noise, radioactive substances, and contaminants in building materials, soil, water, and air
the effectiveness of systems installed and methods used to control or remove suspected hazardous plants, animals, and environmental hazards
operating costs of systems and components
acoustical properties of systems and components
whether water supply or waste disposal systems are public or private
water supply quantity or quality
heat/cooling supply adequacy or distribution balance
soil conditions relating to geotechnical or hydrologic specialties
whether items, materials, conditions and components are subject to recall, controversy, litigation, product liability, and other adverse claims and conditions.

Question 15

The inspector does not operate:

Accepted Answer

systems and components that are shut down or otherwise inoperable
systems and components that do not respond to normal operating controls
shut-off valves and manual stop valves
automatic safety controls.

Question 16

The inspector does not enter:

Accepted Answer

areas that will, in the professional judgment of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or to other persons, or to damage the property or its systems and components
under-floor crawlspaces and attics that are not readily accessible.

Question 17

The inspector does not:

Accepted Answer

perform procedures or operations that will, in the professional judgment of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or to other persons, or to damage the property or its systems or components
describe or report on systems and components that are not included in the Standards of Practice and that were not inspected
move personal property, furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, and debris
dismantle systems and components, except as explicitly required by the Standards of Practice
reset, reprogram, or otherwise adjust devices, systems, and components affected by inspection required by the Standards of Practice
ignite or extinguish fires, pilot lights, burners, and other open flames that require manual ignition
probe surfaces that would be damaged or where no deterioration is visible or presumed to exist
disturb insulation
determine draft characteristics
move fireplace inserts and stoves or firebox contents

FAQ

FAQ FOR HOME INSPECTIONS