Our Standard Home Inspection is anything but standard. We review all major system of the home top to bottom. Our inspections include but are not limited to inspecting the roof, exterior, windows, electric system, plumbing, HVAC units, garages, attics, basements, crow spaces, chimneys,fireplaces, foundation and structure, heating and cooling event the pool if there is one.
Surprise, surprise…different home inspection companies have different standards. Sure, the basics are the same as they all follow the corresponding state’s Standard of Practice (SOPs.) At Condo Home Inspections LLC our standard is far beyond the basic requirements and you should not have to settle for the base minimum.There are a few key questions you must explore to ensure you are getting a top notch services beyond the obvious pleasantries. Just remember that inspectors do not have to go out of their way to inspect every inch of your property or access difficult or unpleasant areas of your home. Here’s the service you should be getting:
Roof Inspection/Attic
When you are shopping around for an inspector (and you should as we are not all the same) make sure to ask the important questions. How is my roof going to be inspected? Most inspectors would observe from the ground as best as they can, but that’s frequently not enough. Our standard includes walking on the roof if the weather and slope permit, using 24 foot tall ladders to properly access the eves of the roof and flying our drone to ensure every shingle is right where it needs to be. Do I need a roof inspection if I’m buying a Condo? Funny you should ask! Yes, you actually do. While the inspector is not going to inspect the exterior in detail as that is not part of the property you are purchasing, taking a look at the roof will give you an idea about any potential major costs to the association reserves or worse yet any possible leaks directly into your property if you are on a top floor. Sometimes HVAC units may also be installed on the roof and it would important for the inspector to check out.
Foundation/ Basement/ Crawl Space
Thoroughly inspecting the foundation, basement and any available crawlspaces is paramount to your safety and the health of the home. Most inspectors come and leave the inspection day in their clean and neatly pressed clothes, not ours. Our home inspectors make an impression when they arrive at inspection day, but leave much less impressive as they actually get into your crawlspace, your attic, the roof and anywhere else they are likely to find an issue. Making sure that your inspector is willing to do that is going to make a huge difference in your understanding of the home and avoiding a money pit.
Electrical and Plumbing
These two systems are like the arteries and veins of the home. Light and water at you fingertips in your own home brought in a huge leap in the human evolution. Imagine having to live 3-4 days without water or electricity…in this day and age it sounds impossible. Do not let that happen to you and your family. Most inspectors will check a few outlets and run your water in the home and conclude their inspection of these systems. Our standard includes opening and checking your electrical panel, water tanks for proper installation, availability of GFCI outlets in areas where water may be frequently present, and making sure there are no leaks hidden behind walls.
Appliances
Appliances are not cheap, you can easily spend upward of 10,000 should you need to replace appliances that are no longer working. We make sure you appliances work and so does everyone else, but what few inspectors out there do is ensure appliances are safely and properly installed.
Interior/ Exterior
Your windows, doors, fireplaces, chimneys you name it we inspect it. We bring our borescope camera to every inspection and take a peek into any area inaccessible to the naked eye.
Bottom line is we don’t want you to be disappointed on move in day, so we’ll even throw our 90 Day Buy Back Guarantee back by InterNACHI. Let us ask you this, what’s more important for your family than their safety, health and peace of mind? When it comes to your home and your family, don’t settle for standard, go for the industry’s best and you will be glad you did when your neighbors are spending their weekends bring in contractors to fix the picture perfect home they just purchased. No home is perfect, but we educate you on issues that need immediate attention and pose a safety concern. During your inspection you will also learn how to maintain your property in top shape to avoid major issues in the future.
See our detailed list of items inspected:
Roof and Attic
- We walk roofs to inspect them. Some common-sense exceptions would be unsafe roofs, roofs not accessible with a 24 foot ladder, snow-covered, etc. If we cannot walk the roof, we will our drones
- Gutters and roof drainage systems. Gutters can literally take you money down the drain
- Roof Flashing and Valley flashing- we check for physical damage, corrosion and proper installation
- Skylights, roof caps, roof vents, plumbing vents, and other roof penetrations are inspected
- Framing and sheathing
- Proper and safe installation of exhaust fans and air ducts
- Appropriate Insulation and ventilation looking for signs of moisture intrusion
Interior/Exterior (Thermal Inspection as a Standard)
- Ceilings, Walls, Floors, Doors
- Windows and Skylights, decks, balconies, patios and porches
- Stairs, handrails, and guards indoors and outdoors
- Counters and cabinets
- Vents, fans, kitchen exhaust hoods
- Kitchen appliances
- Drainage and grading that is likely to affect the building
- Retaining walls and foundation walls
- Outdoor vegetation that can impact the structure
- Walkways and Driveways
- Exterior and interior faucets
Chimney/ Fireplaces
- Chimney crowns, walls and flashing
- Gas and Wood-burning fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts
- Gas and Wood-burning accessories installed in fireplaces, such as gas logs
- Basement / Foundation / Structure
- Foundation walls and Basement floor and structural components
- Crawl spaces
- Sump Systems, including the sump basket, sump pump, sump cover, and extension piping as well as any back up sump pumps available
- Basement insulation and signs of moisture intrusion utilizing our thermal imaging tools and moisture meters
Electrical and Plumbing
- Exterior electrical components, including the service drop, service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways
- The main panel and any sub panels for proper wiring and signs of potential issues
- Service grounding and GSI outlets
- Interior electrical components, including the majority of outlets, switches, and lights and Ground fault circuit interrupters
- Arc fault circuit interrupters
- Smoke and CO alarms are recommended when not present (Safety 1st!)
- Water distribution pipes, drain, waste, and vent pipes
- Water heaters and tank-less water heaters
- Water heater vents and floor drains where present
- Washers and dryers installation and proper functioning
- Sinks, Toilets, Tubs (including jet tubs and Jacuzzi) and Showers
- We will also educate you on how your electrical and plumbing system work and show you the main shut off valves in the event of emergency
Heating and cooling
- Heating and cooling equipment such as furnaces, split furnaces, boilers, water heaters and space heaters. We inspect both the indoor and outdoor components, including units mounted on the roof
- Furnace and vent filters. We show you how to change them. We thoroughly inspect all vents
- Simple energy audit is also performed
Garages and Outbuildings
- Garage/outbuilding door openers, including auto-reverse features
- Detailed indoor and outdoor inspection of all major components and systems such as doors, windows, roof, walls, floor, electrical, etc
