What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual examination of the structure and systems of a home. Think of a home inspection as the equivalent of a physical examination from your doctor (without the blood). When problems or symptoms of problems are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation or suggest remedies. Our emphasis is on identifying existing problems or potential problems that would affect a purchaser's buying decision.
I am selling my home, why should I get a Home Inspection before putting my home on the market?
Having a Home Inspection prior to placing your home on the market gives you a better understanding of conditions which may be discovered by the buyer’s inspector, and provides you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition. This can be a real competitive advantage in today’s competitive market.
How long will the Inspection take?
Most Home Inspections take around two and a half to four hours. These times may vary depending on the size, age and condition of the home.
Should I be present during the Inspection?
You are welcome to attend the entire home inspection, if fact we recommend that you do. During the inspection you will learn more about your new home, and potential issues, as well as how to properly maintain it. If you are not able to attend the entire inspection, we strongly encourage you to attend the last hour for a “overview” with the inspector. During this walk through your inspector will address all your concerns and answer any questions you may have about the home.
When do I call in the home inspector?
Before signing the contract or purchase agreement, make sure your purchase is contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the time frame of the inspection and terms to which both the buyer and seller are obligated. Contact a home inspector immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been accepted. Since there are time constraints involved in purchase agreements, time is of the essence. We offer fast and convenient scheduling, and appointments are often available within 24 hours.
How much will the inspection cost?
Depending upon the size of the home and the services required the cost varies. A single system inspection starts at $125. A typical buyer inspection covering all of the major components starts at $300 for a home up to 2500 total sq ft.
When will I receive the written report?
The report is delivered via e-mail so it should be available 12-24 hours from the inspection. This gives the inspector enough time to evaluate the information gathered and compile a comprehensive web based report with illustrations, pictures, and hyper links. The report also includes a 350 page home manual.
Click here to see a sample report.
What if the report reveals problems?
Realistically, no house is perfect. When the inspector identifies problems, we encourage you to utilize this additional information to help you make a more informed home buying decision. We also encourage you to discuss the home inspection report with your Realtor before making any decisions if you are concerned about conditions that were identified in the home inspection report.
I have someone in my family who is very handy or a contractor, can I have them inspect my new home?
This is a common mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. While the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Like many specialties, professional home inspection is a unique skill like no other. A well trained inspector can identify the “visual clues” that may indicate a problem, clues that typically look normal to the typical home buyer/seller.
What if I have questions after the inspection?
If you have questions after the inspection, give us a call or drop us an email, we are glad to answer any questions you have!
When is payment required?
Your inspection payment is collected on site. We accept cash, check or money order. Personal checks/money orders should be made out to Gateway Home Inspection LLC.