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FAQ:
Question: What all is included in a home inspection?
Answer: We look at virtually everything, top to bottom. It's actually easier to describe what is not included. We look for certain structural defects, but we don't do engineering calculations. We inspect the major appliances, but not the small appliances (microwaves, coffee makers, etc.). We will test heat and A/C, except window units. For a more complete explanation, click here. We also offer some services as add-ons, realizing that not everyone wants these. Add-ons include WDO (termites, etc.), mold inspection, radon testing, water testing (lab analysis), infrared imaging inspection, sewer scope (camera), fireplace inspections (levels 1 & 2) and tree safety inspections.
Question: Will a home inspection uncover everything wrong with the home?
Answer: Realistically, no. A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive inspection of readily accessible systems and components of a home. If there is something wrong inside a wall, where it is hidden, we won't be able to see it, and most likely it wouldn't be discovered- unless we are able to detect it with Infrared (thermal) imaging. We do include Infrared with all inspections, to give you a better product than "industry standard". While we can certainly see more with Infrared, it's not the same as ripping open a wall to see inside. That, we cannot do.
Question: Do home inspections come with warranties?
Answer: Normally, no- but we can include a home warranty with your Buyer's Inspection for only a few dollars. We have the best warranty and guarantee program in the inspection industry. For more information, check out our "Warranty & Guarantee" page.
Question: How much does a home inspection cost?
Answer: We want our pricing to be competitive and fair, so we try to adjust it based on the size of the house. If you are buying, though, as a rough guideline, you can estimate $400-550 for the initial inspection. Sometimes additional inspections may be called for. These may or may not incur additional cost, depending on what they are, and they may need to be performed by other specialists. For example, if we find problems with the foundation, we may recommend having a foundation specialist take a look at it. They may or may not charge a fee for doing so, depending on what is involved. We recommend this article to help you budget realistically for your home inspection phase, so that you can be prepared.
Question: How much does a termite inspection cost?
Answer: Similar to the whole home inspection, prices will vary quite a bit depending on the amount of work involved- but you could expect it to be roughly 1/4 the price of the home inspection.
Question: How far ahead do I need to book my inspection?
Answer: We pride ourselves on our quick turnaround. We can normally get your inspection done within 48 hours. One thing we won't do is cut corners to get inspections done faster. We will also do inspections on weekends, for clients who need it. We'd rather work extra hours to keep up, than do mediocre work.
Question: How much extra does it cost to add a radon test?
Answer: Our fee for a radon test for most homes is $125. Homes over 2,000 square feet on the lowest level will be $240. The extra cost is because we will need to place a second set of sampling equipment to ensure that we get a good sample of the home.
Question: How long does a radon test take?
Answer: We will normally try to set up the radon test to start at about the same time as the home inspection. The testing equipment will need to be on site for a minimum of 3 days to get an accurate test, based on the latest best practices (just updated in January 2025). The equipment then goes to a lab for analysis and reporting, which generally takes 1-2 business days. In order to ensure that we get the results back during your inspection period, it is recommended that the radon test be requested when you schedule the home inspection, so we can get it set up in time.
What is 11th Month Inspection, what does 11th month inspection mean?
An 11th Month Inspection is an inspection for buyers of newly-built homes. The eleventh month refers to the standard length of a builder's warranty of one year. If you want the builder to fix anything for free, you would need to let them know before the warranty expires after the eleventh month. Contrary to what we would all like to believe, almost every newly built home has something wrong with it that will develop into a major problem over time, and/or poses a safety hazard to people living in the home.
Have a question that we did not answer here? Or, are you ready to talk to us about your inspection needs? Let us know!