Frequently Asked Questions  

1. What does a full home inspection include?

2. Can I do it myself?

3. Is a home inspection expensive?

4. Do home inspectors check for code compliance?

5. Does a home inspection constitute a warranty or guarantee?

6. Will further inspection be required?

7. Should I be present during the inspection?

8. What should I look for when selecting a home inspector?

Answers

1. What does a full home inspection include?

   A home inspection should address all of the following:

   • Site: Land contour, drainage, driveways, walkways, porches, decks, retaining walls, parking structures.
   • Foundations: Cracks, settlement, deterioration, moisture entry and piers.
   • Exterior: Siding, trim, entry doors, windows and chimneys.
   • Structure: Framing of sub- floors, stairs, walls, ceilings and roofs, eaves and soffits.
   • Roofing: Roof coverings, flashings, skylights, gutters and downspouts.
   • Plumbing: Water piping, fixtures, faucets, drains, vents and water heaters.
   • Electrical: Service conductors, main and sub-panels, breakers and fuses, grounding, receptacles, switches, fixtures, fans, smoke detectors, presence and proper operation of GFC protected outlets.
   • Heating: Furnace or boiler, ducts, radiators, registers, woodstoves, fireplaces and central air conditioning.
   • Insulation: Attic, ceiling, wall and floor insulation and vapor barriers.
   • Interior: Walls, floors, ceilings, doors, cabinets, bathroom finish.
   • Built-in appliances: Ranges, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals and trash compactors.
   A good inspector will attempt to point out positive as well as negative findings to the client and also provide useful information on upkeep and maintenance.

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2. Can I do it myself?

   Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge, training and experience of a professional home inspector. Additionally. There are areas of a home that many homeowners may not enter or see such as the roof, attic, crawl space or the interior of electrical panels etc.

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3. Is a home inspection expensive?

   No. The fee for a home inspection is quite reasonable. Inspection fees range depending upon the size, age, amenities and features of the home. Additionally, sellers are often willing to pay for repairs or renegotiate the purchase price of the home on the basis of the findings of a professional home inspector and the resulting report. This can often save the buyer much more than the amount of the inspection fee. Contact us anytime for a free quote!

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4. Do home inspectors check for code compliance?

   The inspection is one of "serviceability" not code compliance. By necessity, a home inspection deals with an existing structure which may have older types of wiring, plumbing, heating etc. Most local building departments now require items such as Ground Fault Interrupter Circuits-(GFCIs), insulation in exterior walls, anchor bolts and/or seismic restraints and many other items which have not always been included in the building codes. Homes without these installations can still be "serviceable" even though they do not meet current codes. The purpose of a home inspection is to determine the condition of the home and its various components based upon the criteria of "durability" and "serviceability".

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5. Does a home inspection constitute a warranty or guarantee?

   No. A home inspection is a professional evaluation of the condition of the home and its various components in their present state. Home warranty companies offer service contracts that insure the performance of the various components, appliances and equipment of the home.

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6. Will further inspection be required?

   A home inspector is a generalist. The home inspectors training, knowledge and experience are very broad and includes the ability to recognize hundreds of conditions. Like a general practice physician, a home inspector will sometimes recommend or suggest further evaluation by a specialist in the appropriate trade. This may require an additional fee to the specialist. It is up to the buyer whether or not to follow this recommendation. If a re-inspection is performed by the home inspector following repairs or servicing of equipment, it will be billed at the hourly rate. Always ask for documentation by the trade specialist for the work or service performed, as all reputable companies should stand behind their work. When this is done, a re-inspection by the home inspector is often unnecessary, thereby saving the re-inspection fee.

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7. Should I be present during the inspection?

   It is always preferable to be present at the home inspection. In addition to knowing the condition of the home, an added benefit of the home inspection is to familiarize you with your new home. A quality home inspection should include a walk-through as well as a written report. As the home inspection can take up to 4 or even 5 hours to complete, some buyers prefer to arrive the last hour of the inspection.

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8. What should I look for when selecting a home inspector?

   Since there is currently no licensing for home inspectors in California, verify the home inspector has proper credentials. Make sure they are a member in good standing with their association.
   
   I have been a Certified Home Inspector since 1994

   • Certified and trained by The American Institute of Inspectors in 1994
     • In 1996 as a Manufactured Home Inspector
     • In 1997 as a Commercial Inspector
   • Certified member of NACHI - National Association of Certified Home Inspectors since 2007

   Also, make sure they are properly insured with errors and omissions insurance. This kind of professional insurance is not only very expensive, but is not granted to every inspector who applies for it. It is an indication of the inspector's status and commitment to the profession.

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