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.