Our Services
Buyer’s inspection
A buyer’s inspection is traditionally what people think of when discussing home inspections. Performed during the option period after an offer has been submitted on a home, an inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of a residential dwelling. Purchased by the buyer as part of their due diligence, the inspector will observe material defects within specific components of the home and operate any or all mechanical, structural, electrical, plumbing components, or other essential systems. Conditions both small and large are compiled into a report provided at the end of the inspection. The report may be used to negotiate concessions on the home (repairs or sales price) from the seller depending on the conditions found. At the very least the buyer knows what to expect from their home.
Seller’s inspection
Whether you are selling your home FSBO or with the help of a realtor, a seller’s inspection is a prudent idea. Knowing the conditions of your home prior to listing it for sale allows the seller the opportunity to decide what, if any, issues found during the inspection will be corrected. It allows the seller time to search for the best value contractor (not always the cheapest) to do the work needed rather than whoever is available to get the job done by the closing. The seller can also opt to not do some or all repairs but price the home with the repairs in mind. The inspection report can be laid out for potential buyers along with bids on the repairs needed. There should be little if any negotiation. Buyers may decide to forego a buyer’s inspection since the home is “pre-inspected” thus saving them money – another good selling point!
New Construction Phase Inspections
Building homes is BIG business. Builders generally have multiple crews working on multiple homes sometimes in multiple locations all at various stages of construction. Their supervisors have to worry about scheduling, materials, personnel, budget, weather, security, and quality control among others at all those sites. City code inspectors will sometimes write up 2-3 items and then leave for the next appointment without looking at the whole house. Who is looking out for YOUR best interests on YOUR home? Phase inspections are performed at three junctures during the construction of your home: prior to the foundation being poured, prior to drywall being installed, and prior to move in. Each of these inspections provide insight into how well your home is constructed and allows you the opportunity to have the builder correct problems before they are hidden and while they are relatively easy to correct.
New Construction Inspection (Newly Built Home)
Many people buy a new home thinking that they will have fewer worries. While this is often the case, all too often the quality of construction today is sadly lacking. Home builders are hiring the cheapest labor to build acres of homes as quickly as possible. A new construction inspection is essentially a home inspection on a home that has been newly built. Not as effective as phase inspections, a new construction inspection can still reveal defects that the builder can then correct prior to the home owner ever moving in.
Warranty inspection
Builders generally guarantee their product for 12 months after the first resident takes possession of the home. The reason being some new construction defects do not reveal themselves for a period of time after the home is lived in. While the home owner will have their list of corrections, you still need a trained eye to catch many of those defects. Performed in the 11th or 12th month of the “warranty” period, a warranty inspection is the perfect way to find those problems and still get the builder to address them at no cost to you. This can quite often catch issues before they can grow into something that could cost you a great deal down the road.
Maintenance Inspection
How well is your home aging? How has the drought affected the function of your home? The rain? Did you add some landscaping a couple of years ago only to notice your doors are not closing anymore? Did that hail storm/wind storm damage your roof? A maintenance inspection is the answer. We can look at one thing or the entire home to see what needs to be corrected now with minimal cost before further damage is done. We can advise you how to change a few habits that can reverse minor issues, prevent them from ever happening or increase the comfort and enjoyment of your home. You can then move forward having peace of mind about your home.
Remodeling Inspections and Escrow Release Inspections
We perform inspections of work performed in the past as well as work currently in progress giving you peace of mind that your money was/is well spent. There are a great many variables in the construction industry today that were not known or worried about just a few years ago. We are YOUR source of that knowledge. Have you ever had that feeling that the contractor you hired did not finish the job or there is something not right about what he did finish? Are you in the middle of a complex remodel and a progress payment is due? How do you know the construction is being performed in accordance with current construction practices? Reputable firms generally do not have these problems, but even they have new people on the job, workers get interrupted while working, etc. Are you working with a reputable contractor? Is there a safety concern with a past installation that you are not aware of? These are a few of the questions our inspectors answer.
Energy Audits
We understand how important it is to save money on the energy your home consumes. Next to your mortgage, it is probably your next biggest monthly expense. Our inspectors will come to your home to make detailed measurements regarding insulation, windows, appliances, ventilation, exposure, etc. We advise you on the costs of various upgrades and the expected energy savings from each of those upgrades. Some upgrades are not cost-efficient taking 30 years or more to recoup the cost; some costs are recouped in as little as 2 years. Some upgrades can be tax-deductible (consult your tax advisor). Please note that we are advising you on numerous strategies regarding improving the energy efficiency of your home – we are not a salesperson trying to get you to buy a particular product. This is very similar to a fee-based financial advisor verses a commission-based one.
