Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who needs a home inspection?
A. Buyers AND sellers. If you're buying a home, pre-owned or new, an inspection tells you the condition of the property. That way, there are no surprises after you close on the home. If you purchased a new home and it still has a warranty from the builder, it's a good idea to have a home inspection before it expires. It's a rare case that even a new home doesn't have some problems that were overlooked by the builder. Those repairs or corrections easily exceed the cost of an inspection. If you catch them prior to warranty expiration, your warranty should cover them.
Today, more and more sellers are having a home inspection before putting their properties on the market. That way, a seller knows exactly what condition his or her home is in, and can make needed repairs prior to listing. This makes a better first impression and avoids later delays in the transactions when a potential buyer wants to make an offer. Also, a sellers inspection can be used as a comparison to what the buyer's inspector finds.
Q. How long does an inspection take?
A. Anywhere from two to four hours depending on the size of the home, the condition of the property, and the number of services you've requested.
Q. What type of report do I receive?
A. You can receive your report in a variety of ways. If you need the report immediately, I will complete and print it onsite. I can send your report via e-mail, or put a copy of your report on CD-ROM.
The report provides easy-to-understand details on:
* the condition of components from the roof to the basement
* what works and what does not work
* major and minor deficiencies
* what needs repair / maintenance
* suggestions for further evaluations
We provide digital photos of any areas that need extra clarification and we include them in the report. Every item we inspect on the property is addressed in the report.
Q. Should my Realtor receive a copy of your report?
A. Yes. Your realtor can assist you in determining if any items in the report are significant enough to warrant re-negotiation with the seller. Having your realtor review the report also insures that you both are "on the same page" at the closing.
Note: I will not provide a copy of your report to anyone without your consent.
Q. Are you available to answer questions about the property or report after I close and move into the home?
A. Yes, I will be happy to assist you any way I can in clarifying the information I present in the report, even after you've moved in and settled down to enjoy your new home. I'm always available to you, for as long as you own the home, to offer unbiased advice and recommendations.
Q. Does a newly constructed home need an inspection?
A. Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. I can spot potential problems early, while they are still easy to correct. It’s especially valuable to arrange an inspection before the interior walls are finished. I may find problem areas where the builder has taken shortcuts or not done quality work.
Q. Why can’t I do the inspection myself?
A. Chances are that even if you are very familiar with home construction, you still don’t have the knowledge, training and experience of a professional home inspector. I'm not only familiar with all the systems of a home - and how they work and need to be maintained - but I also know what to look for to determine if they're about to fail. Also consider this - when you are involved in buying or selling a house, it’s impossible for you to remain completely unemotional about the house, and this may cloud your judgment. I will provide an objective, unbiased view of the property.
Q. Will you fix the problems you find during the inspection?
A. No. Both the Standards of Practice of the Texas Real Estate Commission and the Code of Ethics of The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) prohibits its members from soliciting repair work on properties they inspect. This assures that there will never be any conflict of interest on the part of the inspector. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective report on the condition of the home.
