Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector who has inspected hundreds, perhaps thousands, of homes in his or her career. An inspector is familiar with the many elements of home construction, their proper installation, and maintenance. He or she understands how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as how and why they fail.
A home inspector is typically contacted right after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed, and is often available within a few days. However, before you sign, be sure that there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. The clause should specify the terms to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.
NO. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what may need major repair or replacement.
No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. A seller may adjust the purchase price or make repairs if major problems are found. If your budget is tight, or if you don’t wish to become involved in future repair work, this information will be very important to you.
Definitely! Now you can complete your home purchase with your eyes open as to the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. You will also have learned many things about your new home from the inspector’s written report, and will want to keep that information for further reference.
A home inspection typically takes between 2 to 3 hours. We suggest that you leave small children with a sitter if possible as you will want to follow the inspector closely as he inspects your new home and explains his findings.
It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but is recommended. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions directly, as you learn about the condition of the home, how its systems work, and how to maintain it. You will also find the written report easier to understand if you have seen the property first-hand through the inspector’s eyes.
We encourage you to ask all the questions you want at the inspection. However, should you have additional questions or concerns after the inspection, please feel free to call or email our office. Some of our clients call our office with specific and general questions well after the inspection takes place. The inspector is also available for a complete phone consultation to go over your report in detail if you are unable to attend the inspection. We believe client support during the inspection and beyond is one of the many reasons that our company is so successful.
We offer a re-inspection after each inspection that is performed. The inspector will have a copy of the original report and will verify that all requested repairs have been made properly. We will also issue another report based on our findings of the re-inspection. However, there is an additional charge for this inspection. Please call our office with enough advanced notice (usually 3-4 days) to schedule a re-inspection.
Yes, I carry Business Liability Insurance (coverage up to $1,000,000) and Professional Liability Insurance (coverage up to $500,000.) Certificates of the insurance can be provided.
In most cases, Yes, especially here in Colorado. Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. It’s estimated that nearly 21,000 people a year die due to Radon gas exposure in their homes. Radon gas is manageable and there are means to remove it from your home. Its important to test for it when purchasing a home.
A Background Verified Inspector has voluntarily undergo a criminal background check using Sterling Talent Solutions. A BVI give our clients and realtors peace of mind when booking an inspection. Inspectors are required to resubmit background checks every 2 years.