Make a good call for your home inspection

Your Inspection

What is a home inspection anyway?

A Home Inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of a residential dwelling, performed for a fee, which is designed to identify observed material defects within specific components of the dwelling. Components may include any combination of mechanical, structural, electrical, plumbing, or other essential systems or portions of the home, as identified and agreed to by the Client and Inspector, prior to the inspection process.

What is inspected?

We thoroughly inspect your home from top to bottom. Each individual aspect of the home is evaluated for their proper function and considered in relationship to the overall condition of the house and its use by the occupants. A typical home inspection in support of a real estate transaction includes:

• Roof & Attic
• Heating & Cooling Systems
• Electrical Service & Distribution
• Basement - Foundation & Sump
• Plumbing & Fuel Systems
• Interior - Walls, Ceilings & Floors
• Doors / Windows / Storms
• Exterior - Siding, Trim, Grading, & Drives
• Evidence of wood destroying insects
• Level of Radon gas in air

Why should a home be inspected?

The simple answer is peace of mind. The home inspection provides an independent perspective on the condition of a home. The home does not pass nor fail an inspection. The findings of the inspection are impartially and objectively reported to allow you to make intelligent choices based on the information. If you are a home buyer it is also a good time to learn about your new investment.

What if I don't understand the information?

Ask questions. You should plan to attend the inspection, review the report, and contact us if there is something you do not fully understand. We do our best to clearly present the information but know that it may not be a familiar subject to you. Don't be satisfied until you fully understand the information and can make informed decisions based on the results.

When will I get the report?

The report normally takes a day or two to complete and is sent via e-mail. Hard copies are available if you do not have e-mail service. Radon in air tests take a minimum of 48 hours and the report is again normally available in a day or two. This timing is an important factor to keep in mind with a home inspection in support of a real estate transaction since the Radon in air test requires the most time.

What are the limitations of a home inspection?

Since a home inspection is visual and non-invasive there are limitations. A home inspection will not reveal every concern that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the day of the inspection. The areas to be inspected also need to be readily accessible.

What should I expect?

Our certifying body the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors has published standard operating procedures for home inspections. The procedures serve as a guideline and a minimum standard but offer a great starting point toward understanding more about what to expect from a home inspection. Here is a web link: http://www.nachi.org/sop.htm. The on-site inspection time is usually 2 - 3 hours. At the start of the inspection be prepared to discuss what you know about the property and any areas of concern. You should plan to spend some time with the inspector and some time familiarizing yourself with the property. In the case of a home purchase this is a good time to measure rooms and consider furniture placement and decoration.

Serving New York's Tech Valley from the Capital District

Veteran Owned and Operated

NY license #16000038497

(518) 207-0070

(877) 800-4410