What Is A Property Inspection?
A professional property inspection, as defined by the American Association of Home Inspectors (ASHI), is a visual examination of the structure and major systems/components of a residential or commercial property, with regards to any material defects that would significantly affect the safety, habitability, or value of the property'. If you are thinking of buying a home, condominium, mobile home, or commercial building, you should have it thoroughly inspected before the final purchase by an impartial, experienced, and certified professional inspector.

What Does An Inspection Include?
Our whole house inspection by the ASHI includes a non-invasive visual examination of the primary property, including it's major components, systems, and built-in appliances and fixtures, and its associated primary parking structure. We evaluate and report the condition of the building/structure, roof, foundation, drainage, chimney and fireplace, plumbing system, electric service and fixtures, heating system, central air-conditioning system, visible insulation, walls, windows, and doors. The inspection is not intended to be technically exhaustive, and only those items and areas that are visible and accessible by normal means are included in the report. In addition to the whole house inspections, ancillary inspections (for additional fees) of pest inspections and radon testing can be ordered to be done at the same time as the inspection or can be ordered as stand alone inspections.

When Do I Request An Inspector?
The best time to consult us for an inspection is right after you’ve made an offer on your new property. The typical real estate contract usually allows for a grace period at the start of Escrow to inspect the property. Ask your professional agent to include this inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional inspection of the property, supplemental to any other disclosure.

Can A Building “FAIL” The Inspection?
No. A residential property inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of your prospective real estate purchase, at the time of transfer. It is not an appraisal or a municipal code inspection, with all the systems and components operated and/or tested by their normal controls. An inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a building, but seek to identify any material defects in the structure, it's major systems and/or components that are present and accessible to assure their proper function as was originally intended, and with regards to the safety and habitability of the property.

What If The Report Reveals Problems?
If we find any unsafe and/or defective conditions or problems with the property, it does not necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy it; only that you will know in advance what conditions may need to be addressed at the time of sale, and/or for the type of future repairs to anticipate. A seller may be willing to make necessary repairs because of safety or for any other significant problems discovered during the inspection. The inspection will qualify which items and/or conditions are deemed safety or health concerns by the current real estate transaction standards, report any inadequate or improper condition of the systems and/or components that fail to operate as they were originally intended by their normal controls, and your professional real estate agent will guide and represent you through the transfer process.

If The Report Is Favorable, Did I Really Need An Inspection?
Definitely! Now you can complete your purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property, its components, and operating systems. You will have learned more about your property from our inspection process and final report, and will want to keep that information for your future reference. Above all, you can rest assured that you are making a well-informed purchase decision, and that you will be able to enjoy and occupy your new home or building the way you anticipated, with confidence!.

Why Do I Need An Inspection?
As a buyer, the purchase of a residential home or commercial property is of an unknown, and one of the largest single investments you will ever make. You should know exactly what to expect -- both indoors and out -- in terms of any present and/or near future repairs needed, if any, whether disclosed or not by the seller. A fresh coat of paint could be hiding some serious problems that really need to be addressed. Some stains on a ceiling may indicate a chronic roof or plumbing leakage problem, or may simply be the result of a single incident.

We interpret these and other clues, then present a professional, objective opinion as to the 'true' condition of the property, so you can avoid unpleasant surprises afterward. Of course, an inspection can also point out the positive report.aspects of a property, as well as some maintenance needed to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase, and be able to make your decision confidently.

As a seller, if you have owned your property for a period of time, an inspection can identify present and/or potential problems prior to the sale of your home, and we can recommend preventive measures, which might avoid future expensive repairs, and/or needlessly hold up the property transfer process.

Can I Inspect The Building Myself?
Even the most experienced home or property owner lacks the broad knowledge and experience of a certified, professional inspector who has inspected thousands of homes and/or properties in their career. A homeowner and/or tradesman possibly qualified in one area of expertise, may have no knowledge or a limited amount of the current real estate disclosure standards, safety and/or health issues, and/or state mandated residential seismic hazards which a professional property inspector must actively maintain.

A professional inspector is equally familiar with the critical elements of construction, with the proper and accepted building and/or installation standards, and any maintenance or inter-relationships of these elements. Above all, most buyers would find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the property they wish to purchase, which would most assuredly lead to a poor assessment. As with any major decision in your life, you should be seeking to surround yourself with seasoned professionals.

What Will The Inspection Cost?
The dollar cost, itself, should not be the deciding factor whether or not to acquire a professional inspection, or in trying to compare and choose between different inspection services; rather the focus should be in terms of the value for your investment in the potential purchase of the property. The meaning of value has never had more significance than that in purchasing a home and/or acquiring a professional inspector to assist in that purchase: It isn't always what you pay - it's what you receive in return, and there is a vast difference between the inspection services and inspectors to choose from. Industry wide, you can always find a 'cheap' inspector that, most often, will be less experienced, therefore can only offer you a reduced fee in hopes of competing with the more established inspection services; but is that who you really want to assist you in your purchase?

Primarily, the more established, professional, inspection services operate from the numerous referrals of satisfied clients and/or possibly their agents, who trust that service and inspector to perform in the best interest of their relatives, friends, and/or clients as it did for them, and who realize the more experienced professional is well worth the price paid! The inspection fee for a typical single-family residence or commercial building varies geographically, as does the cost of housing. Similarly, within a geographic area the inspection fees charged by different inspection services vary, depending upon factors such as square footage and/or type of structure, the age and/or particular features of the property, the type of reports furnished, how long that inspector has been in business, etc.

The less experienced inspector that is 'just starting out' would be cheaper, but probably not even worth the cheaper fee being charged, in relation to the lack of service provided; whereas the more experienced, knowledgeable, professional inspector with thousands of inspections contributing to their expertise is likely to be worth much more than their fees charged, but is trying to maintain a balance within the competition, which relates to more value for their clients! You might save many times the cost of the inspection fee, if you are able to have the seller perform any necessary repairs, based on significant problems and/or safety hazards revealed by the more qualified and experienced inspector.

In general, for a couple/few hundred dollars invested on a professional inspection of an unknown property, with the current real estate values ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, and repair bills and/or 'warranty' deductibles ranging in the hundreds of dollars or more, the cost of a knowledgeable, certified inspector is, by far, one of the best investments you'll ever make! Please contact us for our very competitive fee schedule.

Should I Attend The Inspection?
We would strongly recommend being present at the time of the inspection, observing the process first-hand and asking any questions you may have about the new property, and possibly get some tips on general maintenance. All information about the unknown property that you can acquire, and having that information properly addressed before you purchase, will be of great benefit to you at the time of property transfer and after you’ve moved in.

How Do I Book My Home Inspection?
For the quickest response, you can call us or have your real estate agent contact us at the Joe Gallitto office: 440-449-1494, or email us at ht339@homeinspection.com, for a timely response to your home inspection needs. Inspections can be scheduled within 24 hours notice, if needed, and there is never any additional charge for weekend inspections!!!