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What We Do
We inspect everything visible and accessible. We encourage our clients to accompany us throughout the inspection process.

We inspect new homes, existing homes, condominiums, cooperatives and rental buildings.

We provide customized reports for specialized inspections such as multiple unit buildings.

We provide on-site, detailed, and bound reports.

Sample Report

When we leave the property you will know the condition of the electrical system, plumbing, heating, cooling, structural, roof and drainage, kitchen, attic, insulation, ventilation, grounds and interior.

Swimming pools, sprinkler systems, central vacs, security systems, private well and septic systems, termites and other wood destroying insects, and toxic and environmental hazards are not covered under a standard inspection. However, we will gladly direct you to professionals who are qualified to perform these specialized inspections.

All homes have strong and weak points, and they are not always what they seem. Our goal is to help you gain the perspective and sound information you need to make an informed decision. We work through a very long checklist of potential concerns to identify the major and minor deficiencies in the home. The report we provide will clearly describe the problems we uncover as well as suggestions for repair.

Our inspectors go through the property with you explaining everything in detail. We answer your questions and make sure that you understand everything, including the visual limitations. Training and experience give inspectors insight about houses similar to yours, so they really know what to look for and can readily compare your house and its systems with other houses of similar age and construction.

Inspections are done to a generalist's non-intrusive visual standard relying on accessible symptoms, clues and telltale signs. Additional services and more intensive, or specialized inspections are available upon request.

The HOMEBOOK SYSTEM is much more than a report, it becomes a complete owner's manual, tailored to the eight major systems of each individual home.

Structural Heating and Air Conditioning Basement/Crawl Space/Slab Interior

Electrical Plumbing Kitchen Exterior

Problems are grouped according to cost of repair and safety risk, and an itemized maintenance program is established for you. Approximations of repair and replacement costs for systems and components set up a five-year budget projection. The easy-to-understand HOMEBOOK is considered the "Bible" of the industry and is routinely used by public and private sector institutions. It is updated yearly for comprehensive accuracy.

General Information
Our Superior Inspectors Will:

• Traverse roofs, attics and crawl spaces
• Open electrical distribution panels
• Check furnace heat exchangers and heat pump elements
• Operate installed appliances and equipment
• Report visual evidence of basement/crawl space water problems

Our Excellent HOMEBOOK Reports Will:

• Put the home into perspective by comparing it to its peers.
• Summarize the major points of concern
• Report complexity and subjectivity of opinions
• Project a five-year systems and component budget
• Identify potential remodeling problems such as:
  • asbestos containing materials (ACM)
  • electrical systems incapable of being adequately expanded
  • plumbing incapable of delivering adequate supply, etc.
• Inform about substandard workmanship and maintenance
• Segregate problems into major and minor groupings
• Report on potentially dangerous items such as:
  • aluminum wire and inadequate electrical systems
  • unlined fireplaces and unvented space heaters
  • inadequate combustion air supply
  • visible cracks or holes in heat exchangers
  • lighting fixtures buried in attic insulation
  • untempered glass shower doors
  • restrictive ventilation in attics and crawl spaces
  • real or potential rot and/or woodborer damage
  • lead plumbing materials
• Recommend more specific checks when visual evidence merits

New Home Inspections
Three Phases of New Home Construction:

Phase 1
Before backfilling the foundation, we check for:

• proper dewatering system installation
• properly sealed foundation walls
• proper lot contour and grades

Phase 2
Before the drywall is installed, we check for:

• missing, damaged, or undersized framing and insulation
• vulnerable tile work, undersized plumbing supply pipes
• air bypasses and inadequate mechanical systems that
  may prove wasteful and uncomfortable, etc.

Phase 3
Before final acceptance and settlement, we prepare:

• a complete "punch list" (within local workmanship standards) for you to deliver to your builder before settlement

 

Improving Older Homes:
Professionals (with no product or improvements to sell) will help you budget, plan, prioritize, and execute significant home improvement projects. Homeowners feel much more comfortable getting the upfront work done with someone who will not profit from the job.

In Summary:
We conduct a thorough inspection of your property; we assess the visual signs that may indicate a problem or potential problem; we provide you with a detailed report of our findings and suggest solutions for resolving any items of concern. We work for you to provide you with information that will allow you to make an informed decision, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.