Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q: What is a home inspection?
Q: How long does it take to get a home
inspection?
Q: Why use our services?
Q: What does an inspection include?
Q: Can a building "FAIL" the inspection?
Q: Why can't I have someone in my family who is
very handy or a contractor, inspect my new home?
Q: What if the home inspection report reveals
problems?
Q: What if I have questions after the
inspection?
Q: Can I add the home inspection fees to my Escrow
account?
Q: Does the home inspection incorporate building
code issues?
Q: When is the best time to have a home inspection?
Q: What is a home inspection?
A: An inspection is a visual examination of the structure and
systems of a building. If you are thinking of buying a home,
condominium, mobile home, or commercial building, you should have it
thoroughly inspected before the final purchase by an experienced and
impartial professional inspector.
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Q: How long does it take to get a home
inspection?
A: Home inspection reports are delivered at the end of the
inspection or within 24 hours depending on the customer's
requirements.
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Q: Why use our services?
A: The purchase of a new home is one of the single most costly
investments that a family will make. Along with the extra stresses
this will add, there is also the fear factor of, "Will This Home
Stand The Test of Time?" It is also important to know what YOU, as
the primary investor, are getting for your money.
A home inspection is an excellent tool for you, the home buyer, to
help determine not only the condition of the home, but to also help
foresee any immediate unnecessary additional cost that may go
unnoticed without the help of a home inspection. Home inspections
are not a prediction of future performance, but can pinpoint
existing problem areas.
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Q: What does an inspection include?
A: A complete inspection includes a visual examination of the
building from top to bottom. The inspector evaluates and reports the
condition of the structure, roof, foundation, drainage, plumbing,
heating system, central air-conditioning system, visible insulation,
walls, windows, and doors. Only those items that are visible and
accessible by normal means are included in the report.
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Q: Can a building “FAIL” the inspection?
A: No. A professional inspection is simply an examination into the
current condition of your prospective real estate purchase. It is
not an appraisal or a Municipal Code inspection. An inspector,
therefore, will not pass or fail a building, but will simply
describe its condition and indicate which items will be in need of
minor or major repairs or replacement.
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Q: Why can’t I have someone in my family who
is very handy or a contractor, inspect my new home?
A: This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make
when purchasing a home. Although the person you are considering may
be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional
home inspections. Professional home inspection is a unique skill
like no other. Professional inspectors get what we call an
inspector’s instinct for problems. That instinct takes extensive
training and lots of experience doing inspections to develop. Many
contractors, and other trades professionals hire a professional home
inspector to inspect their homes when they make a purchase.
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Q: What if the home inspection report
reveals problems?
A: If the inspector finds problems in a building, it does not
necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy it, only that you will know in
advance what type of repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing
to make repairs because of significant problems discovered by the
inspector. If your budget is tight, or if you do not wish to become
involved in future repair work, you may decide that this is not the
property for you. The choice is yours.
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Q: What if I have questions after the
inspection?
A: You can call us and discuss all the aspects of your new home
whenever you like. Our service is a long-term investment.
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Q: Can I add the home inspection fees to my
Escrow account?
A: Yes, but you incur an additional fee of an extra 10% or $25.00
due to delay of payment for home inspections services.
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Q: Does the home inspection incorporate
building code issues?
A: Not specifically, we are not certified code inspectors. ICBO
handles code inspections.
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Q: When is the best time to have a home
inspection?
A: Right before you make an offer on your house. If you find issues
in the home inspection, they can be addressed before the offer is
made. With a home inspection, your bargaining power is increased.
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