Home Inspections

On the outside, homes can look like they are in great shape. But sometimes, big problems are just below the surface, waiting for the right time (or the wrong time) to show themselves, which often means expensive repairs. This is why it's a good idea to have a home inspected before you buy it or if it's more than 15 years old. The usual lifespan of many significant components, including HVAC systems, roofs, and water heaters, is fifteen years. After that period, it's time to have a professional evaluate them to see if they need to be updated or replaced immediately or at some point in the near future.

It's important to remember that a home inspection doesn't "pass" or "fail" a house. Instead, it just points out areas that may need to be fixed or improved. Home inspections help you protect your investment and plan for possible repairs. You can also use areas that might need work as bargaining chips when buying a home.

A home inspection thoroughly examines the home's physical structure and most critical systems. A home inspection involves the individual assessment of well over 400 items. These are often grouped by the main parts of the house to make it easy for the homeowner or someone looking to buy a house to understand the results.

Areas of the home you can expect to have inspected include:

  • Foundation

  • Walls, floors, and ceilings (visual check for apparent issues)

  • Windows, doors, and other points of entry

  • Roof

  • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) System

  • Electrical wiring and connections

  • Plumbing system (including water pressure)

  • Gas connections (if present)

  • Basement, crawlspace, and attic

  • Garage and other structures (e.g., shed)

  • Insulation

  • Fireplace

  • Bedrooms and bathrooms

  • Kitchens, living rooms, dens, and other open or common areas

  • Exterior walls

  • Patios, porches, and/or decks

  • Site grounds and grading

  • Gutters and downspouts

  • Carports

  • Pool and pool equipment

  • Pool decks and enclosures

All areas are looked at to see how they look, how well they work, how old they are, how much wear and tear they have, and how likely it is that they need to be fixed or replaced. Certain aspects of the home are compared to current building code requirements to ensure the home is up to code, especially for noticeable repairs, upgrades, or building additions, which can provide a great relief for potential homebuyers looking at homes with recent upgrades.