Answers to common questions

Should I have an Inspection if I am purchasing a Home?
Yes you should, it is one of the most important and major investments you make and you should know everything there is to know about the property. Even if the owner has had an inspection by another service, you should have your own inspection to compare results. 

Should I have my home inspected before I list it for sale?
Yes you should, the sale of your home/property/building can cost you points and not allow you to get the best value for the property if it is not ready. Having the property inspected allows you time to correct any issues that could affect the sale. 

Where can I find a Local Inspector? 

Our recommendation is to use www.findaninspector.us   Finding the right inspector has always been an issue and in the past many people have forgone having an inspection because the right service just was not out there, or their uncle said he would do it. Well not discounting that the uncle might know his way around his home work shop and is handy at fixing things does not mean that he has the experience, expertise, training, equipment, skill, and knowledge needed  to perform and understand all aspects of inspecting, he may very well over look something that should be taken care of.

What is a home or building inspection?
The inspection is a non-invasive examination of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and essential components and designed to identify material defects in those systems and components. The inspection is intended to assist in evaluation of the overall condition of the property.

 What can I expect from an inspection?
You can expect an inspection based on observations of the visible and apparent condition of the structure and its components on the date of the inspection. The inspection is not intended to determine future conditions. The inspection will not reveal every problem that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the day of the inspection.

Why should I have an inspection?
It makes sense, it does not matter if you are buying or selling being informed and having the knowledge about the property is what it is all about. Many times we find out after that an issue could have been resolved before going to the table.

Will the inspector give me a report that I can understand?
Yes and the inspector will assist you in the interpretation and understand of the report. The Inspection report will describe and identify in a written format, the inspected systems, structures, and components and includes color photos of the areas that need attention. The report identifies material defects observed. The Inspection reports may contain recommendations regarding conditions, recommendations for correction, monitoring or further evaluation by other professionals.
 Is the cost of the inspection worth it?
You bet it is; having the peace of mind and knowing as much as you can about the property is a valuable asset to have. The inspection provides you with insight and knowledge about the condition of the property, reveals conditions or defects that could have a significant adverse impact on the value or be very costly to repair if not corrected.

What do I do if the inspection finds something?
First of all, Relax, if something is found, most times it can be corrected inexpensively by a reasonably priced contractor or by making the repairs yourself. You can even get assistance through your local home and building supply.
  
Where do I go if I need help to make repairs after the inspection?
Getting help to fix or make repairs is easy you can talk with your local home and building supply, sometimes they can answer questions and give you advice on how to make repairs. They can also refer contractors that they are familiar with to help you. 
 
What should I do before my warranty runs out?

You should have your property re-inspected to insure that all of the systems, structures, and components are working properly and have not developed any defects. It is recommend that you have a warranty inspect in the 11th month of your warranty, this allows for repairs or corrections before the warranty expires.

What is a material Defect?

A problem with the property or any portion of it that would have a significant adverse impact on the value of the property or that involves an unreasonable risk to people on the property. The fact that a structural element, system or subsystem is near, at or beyond the end of the normal useful life of such a structural element, system or subsystem is not by itself a material defect.

What is radon?

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon but it may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer.  In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Radon is a colorless, chemically unreactive inert gas, it is the densest gas known. The gas and its highly radioactive (radioactivity described) metallic daughter products emit alpha and beta particles and gamma rays. It has been used in the treatment of cancer by radiotherapy. In homes and other buildings, in some areas of the world, radon produced by the radioactive decay of uranium-238 present in soil and rock can reach levels regarded as dangerous.

Should I have a service test for radon?

Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon levels. There are no immediate symptoms that will alert you to the presence of radon. It typically takes years of exposure before any problems surface and then it is too late.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American Medical Association and National Safety Council all recommend testing your home for radon. If we find that your home has high radon levels, there are ways to reduce the concentrations. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Most radon problems can be fixed.

What is the Lead Based paint issue all about?

Lead was used as a pigment and drying agent in "alkyd" oil based paint. It may be on any interior or exterior surfaces, particularly on woodwork, doors, and windows. Lead is a highly toxic substance, exposure to which can produce a wide range of adverse health effects. If you are considering buying a home, building or property built before 1978, it is very likely that it contains some lead paint. If the home, building or property has been allowed to deteriorate for a few years, it may also have a lead-contaminated dust problem. To find out if there is lead paint in the home, building or property, there should be a risk assessment done by an inspector to test all the paint. Depending on the size of your home, building or property it takes between one to four hours for a home and sometimes days for a complete building or property. The inspector will be able to tell you whether or not there is lead paint in the home, building or on the property and where it is. (Older homes and buildings contain higher concentrations of lead in paint and the higher the concentration, the greater the hazard once the paint deteriorates.) To determine if the home, building or property contains any lead-contaminated dust, which is the most dangerous of all lead-based paint hazards, the risk assessment should include sampling. The samples of dust from your home, building or property will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results should be determined within seven to ten days. The risk assessment report should include what to do next to take care of the problem.