Home Inspection: What Is Normally Checked?

We inspect a variety of commercial properties, including office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, and industrial facilities.

There’s nothing wrong with this; on the contrary, it makes more housing available at a time when it’s in demand. And as noted, it’s often a good investment choice for the eventual buyer. But before you invest in a rehabilitated property, you should obtain a professional inspection, from an inspector with your interests in mind. Too often lately, homes are “flipped” for considerably more than they were recently paid for without any substantial improvements to justify the higher price.

Let alone having those improvements tested to confirm their operability. You’d be the one left holding the bag — shouldn’t you have someone on your side making sure that the property you’re buying is indeed in good condition? It’s easy to protect yourself. Hire a professional inspector to ensure the property and its improvements are up to your standards. If you’re buying more than one property at a time from the same buyer, it’s even more important to have them inspected by a professional working for you, instead of another party to the transaction.

There are cost effective ways to protect yourself when investing in many properties. With the expertise of a licensed home inspector, you should be able to buy with the confidence that everything is as represented by the seller. It’s smart to always have an inspection done before closing on a property. An inspector will tell you if everything that is present in the structure is functioning properly, what repairs may need to still be done, and whether there are any safety or soundness issues with the property. We will work as your advocate in the transaction, with your interests in mind. As an investor, you need and deserve to know. Protect your interests with the help of a professional inspector.

Commercial inspections are generally more complex and may include additional assessments, such as environmental hazards, zoning compliance, and tenant improvements.

Almost all of them require some sort of inspection. Technology has allowed savvy inspectors to reduce the amount of work their clients need to do to order, track and receive inspections. In the past, the primary mode of interaction between an inspector and his or her clients was the telephone and fax machine. Clients would send requests via fax, and then often follow it up with a phone call to make sure it was received. Scheduling the inspection meant more phone calls – a disruption for both the client and the inspector.

You can schedule an inspection by contacting us through our website or by calling our office directly. We will work with you to find a convenient time.

The most important issue with an inspection report is the descriptions given for each item or component. A report that indicates the condition as “Good”, “Fair” or “Poor” without a detailed explanation is vague and can be easily misinterpreted. An example of a vague condition would be: Kitchen Sink: Condition – Good, Fair, or Poor. None of these descriptions gives the homeowner an idea about what is wrong. Does the sink have a cosmetic problem? Does the home have a plumbing problem? A good report should supply you with descriptive information on the condition of the site and home. An example of a descriptive condition is: Kitchen sink: Condition – Minor wear, heavy wear, damaged, rust stains, or chips in enamel finish.

To prepare for an inspection, ensure that all areas of the property are accessible, including attics, basements, and crawl spaces. It’s also helpful to provide any relevant documents, such as previous inspection reports or maintenance records.

The upper part of a well is lined with casing to prevent well walls from collapsing and contaminants from entering the water supply. The casing is usually metal or plastic pipe, six inches in diameter that extends into the bedrock to prevent shallow ground water from entering the well. The casing must extend at least 18 feet into the ground, with at least five feet extending into the bedrock. The casing should also extend a foot or two above the ground’s surface. A sealant, such as cement grout or bentonite clay, should be poured along the outside of the casing to the top of the well. The well is capped to prevent surface water from entering the well.

Yes, after the inspection, you will receive a detailed report outlining our findings, including photographs and recommendations for any necessary repairs.

The upper part of a well is lined with casing to prevent well walls from collapsing and contaminants from entering the water supply. The casing is usually metal or plastic pipe, six inches in diameter that extends into the bedrock to prevent shallow ground water from entering the well. The casing must extend at least 18 feet into the ground, with at least five feet extending into the bedrock. The casing should also extend a foot or two above the ground’s surface. A sealant, such as cement grout or bentonite clay, should be poured along the outside of the casing to the top of the well. The well is capped to prevent surface water from entering the well.

If issues are identified, we recommend discussing them with your real estate agent or a qualified contractor to determine the best course of action.

Yes, we encourage clients to attend the inspection. This allows you to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the property’s condition.