Q: How does Inspect.Com work?
We make it easy to find the right inspector for your property. Go to the search box, enter the area where the property is located and the type of inspection you need. You’ll have a choice of qualified, professional inspectors in seconds. It’s free. Give it a try.
Q: Why use Inspect.Com?
Connect directly with the inspector you need. It’s free. You don’t have to give away your information. We screen each listing for professional integrity and quality.
Q: What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a professional, objective examination of the exterior and interior of a property from roof to basement. The written report will cover the home’s heating and cooling, interior plumbing and electrical systems, roof, attic and insulation, walls, ceilings floors, windows, doors, foundation, basement, and structural components. The inspection focuses on the soundness and safety of the property.
Q: How much does an inspection cost?
Inspection fees vary according to geographic location. A typical inspection for a one-family home may cost several hundred dollars. Costs also vary according to the the size of the house, age of the house, and additional optional services like septic or well inspection or radon testing. Commercial inspections normally cost more depending on the size of the property and the number of units involved.When comparing inspectors, don’t let cost be your guiding factor. Use the inspector’s qualifications, experience, training, and professional affiliations as a guide. An inspector may offer law enforcement, military, senior or other discounts. Be sure to ask. You are investing in an objective, professional information about the current condition of your home or property.
Q: How do I decide which inspector to choose?
We screen all listings on Inspect.Com to assure you experience and qualifications to perform a professional inspection. Just like any professional, you may hit it off with one and not connect with another. Visit their website, the link is in the listing. Call and talk to the inspector. Just like choosing a doctor or an automobile mechanic, things work best when your personalities sync and their qualifications meet your expectations.
Q: Which inspections should I order (home, termite, roof) ?
Each inspection covers a different aspect of your home or property. We recommend getting the inspection coverage you need for your home. For instance, a home inspection may reveal damage from termites or other wood boring insects. A specialized roof inspection can address a roof that a home inspector is unable to access. At Inspect.Com, we believe in thorough knowledge about your property. We highly recommend ordering all the inspections you need to gain the fullest knowledge about your home.
Q: What does the inspector do?
The inspector makes on-site visual observations about the current condition of your home. The report covers the heating and cooling systems, plumbing and electrical systems, roof, attic and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, foundation, basement, and structural components. The inspector spends several hours going from top to bottom of your home checking the home for sound and safe systems and structure. There are national home inspector associations that publish standards of practice, and code of ethics many inspectors follow. In states where licensing is required, verify your inspector is actively licensed to perform inspections.
Q: Do I need to be at the inspection?
The inspection findings are covered in a written report. Although you don’t need to be present at the inspection, we recommend you go. The inspector can show you any findings that may cause concern. In addition, he can offer suggestions on repairs and remediation and tell you the pros and cons of choosing one method over another. The inspector can also give you an estimate of the cost of any repairs and refer you to accomplished local services to complete repairs. These are recommendations that may not be in the written report. It’s in your best interest to be at the inspection to learn the most you can about the condition of the home.
Q: How soon will I get my inspection report(s)?
Usually the completed written report is delivered within three business days, and a 24-hour turn around time is considered the gold standard in the industry. How quickly the report is delivered is part of what makes each inspector unique. Some choose to deliver reports onsite, others prepare their reports after returning to the office. Fundamentally it is a business decision, but an underlying principle should be ensuring a fast turn around time never negatively impacts the quality of your home inspection report.
Q: Who gets a copy of the inspection report(s)?
When you hire an inspector, you get the report as the paying party to whom the inspector has a fiduciary responsibility. You can use the information to your benefit. Be aware that if you make a “terms, or conditions” request based on information in the report, then you must provide a copy of the report to the other party, to demonstrate in good faith the request is based on fact. Any time professionals/realtors are involved, they also need a copy to do their job. Technically, you are the only person with the authority to release the report to any other party. It is industry standard that inspectors send the report to you, the client, and your real estate professional.
Q: What if the inspection reveals problems?
No house is perfect. An inspection can reveal problems even in a brand new home. The inspection helps you make wise decisions. For instance if a report reveals problems that doesn’t mean you should not buy the house. You do know in advance what to expect, so if your budget is tight this information will help you in your ultimate decision to buy the property. And often, when major problems are revealed, a seller may agree to make repairs. The home inspector works for you. Be sure to discuss any major repair work with the inspector. Get his opinion on how the problem affects the overall condition of the home both now and in the future.
Q: What gets fixed once the inspection results are received?
Each real estate transaction is different. So, what gets fixed is negotiated in the contract. The intent of the inspection process is two-fold: to reveal material fact about the condition of the property to allow the client to make an informed decision, with the primary intent to make sure the property is safe for occupants/users of the property. Your inspector understands that value, as well as conditions that will lead to larger subsequent problems are important. But only part of the process is more related to price. In the inspector’s mind, it isn’t important whether a $1 or a $1M item harms a person, what truly matters is that safety conditions be addressed before a person gets hurt in the first place.
