Buying a new home is probably the biggest investment you'll ever make. And it's a decision that will affect you for years to come. There's always considerable risk involved when making such a large purchase decision, but a professional inspection will significantly reduce your risk and help make the entire home buying process easier and less stressful.

• Before closing on any home purchase or investment property purchase
• When thinking of selling your home so you'll know what issues buyers will want repaired
• For an overall inventory of your home's condition

We strongly encourage all of our clients to accompany us during the inspection. You should feel free to ask the inspector any questions you may have during the inspection process. The inspector will point out problems and explain them to you. The inspector will also show you the good points of the house as well. Plus, we will explain what routine maintenance is needed to keep the house in top condition. This will help you to get the most benefit from the inspection and gain the most understanding of the systems that make up your home, and how to maintain them.
You'll get a comprehensive report that is easy to understand. Everything identified during the inspection will be included in the report.
Armed with the information our report will provide, you can make your decision with confidence.

What is a Home Inspection?

The home buying process can be confusing and stressful. Not only do you need to consider things such as price and location, you also have to worry about whether the house itself has any problems that could become costly surprises down the road.
The Home Inspection is an unbiased, professional assessment of the condition of the house. It provides you an expert opinion and professional report on the condition of the physical structure and various systems within a house. Giving you peace of mind on what is likely the largest purchase youll ever make.

In order to prepare the report, an inspector must conduct a visual inspection of the house. The inspection process typically takes about 3 hours to complete. This of course may vary, according to the size and condition of the home. We strongly encourage you to accompany the inspector during the inspection. This will give you a chance to ask questions and become familiar with the systems of the home.
We will inspect all the structural elements and systems of the home. Items that will typically be included in an inspection are:

1. Framing (structure)
2. Roof and attic
3. Foundation
4. Walls
5. Electrical system
6. Plumbing system
7. Heating and air conditioning systems
8. Kitchen
9. Bathrooms

Additional items and systems unique to a particular home can also be inspected.
When the inspection is complete, well tell you of any problems that were discovered and discuss them with you. We will also tell you about any routine maintenance that should be performed, as well as answer any questions you may have. You will also receive a full written report of the inspection.

Our goal is to discover and inform you of anything we find that might affect your purchase decision. Well tell you about any problems we find, and make repair recommendations. Well also inform you of what maintenance tasks are required to keep the home and its systems in top condition.


Do I need an Engineer or a Home Inspector?

You need a home inspector. When you hire a home inspector, you are hiring an experienced professional who has training and experience in the building industry. It is the job of the home inspector to not only evaluate the condition of the house's major systems and structural integrity, but also to evaluate how these systems are working together and identify areas that need to be watched, repaired or replaced.

Your home inspector gives you the Big Picture analysis of the house you are purchasing. If the home inspector identifies the need for a costly, detailed analysis of any of the houses' systems or structures, the inspector will recommend the appropriate professional, which may be an experienced engineer with expertise analyzing that particular system or structure. The need for this kind of expensive, detailed analysis is rare.
Hiring a Professional Engineer on your own can be a disappointing experience. The term Professional Engineer does not mean that the individual has training or experience conducting home inspections. Additionally, a home inspection does not involve engineering analysis. Therefore, hiring a Professional Engineer to complete a home inspection undoubtedly costs more, but it may not give you the results you desire and deserve.

Pre-Purchase Inspection

If you are buying a home with a septic tank, you should consider having it inspected by a professional septic contractor. Our standard home inspection does not include this type of specialized, intrusive inspection. To properly inspect the system, the contractor will need to dig holes to access the underground parts of the system. This will include inspecting the tank, as well as the leach field.
It makes good sense to have the tank pumped at the time of this inspection. A professional septic contractor can perform both the inspection and pump the tank, killing two birds with one stone and assuring that you begin with an empty tank and a system that has been inspected. Often, you can negotiate with the seller to have them pay for the pumping.
When buying a home, you should always have a professional home inspection performed. You need to know exactly what you are getting. Making your buying decision much easier and more confident.

When we inspect the home we will look at the systems that make up the building such as:

1. Structural elements, foundation, framing etc...
2. Plumbing systems
3. Roofing
4. Electrical systems
5. Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc... 

The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) promotes a high standard of professionalism, business ethics and inspection procedures. NACHI members subscribe to the following Code of Ethics in the course of their business.

1. Duty to the Public
2. The NACHI Inspector shall abide by the Code of Ethics and substantially follow the NACHI Standards of Practice.
3. The NACHI inspector will not engage in any practices that could be damaging to the public or bring discredit to the home inspection industry.
4. The NACHI Inspector shall be fair, honest, impartial, and act in good faith in dealing with the public.
5. The NACHI Inspector will not discriminate in any business activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, or handicap and shall comply with all federal, state and local laws concerning discrimination.
6. The NACHI Inspector shall be truthful regarding his/her services & qualifications.
7 The NACHI Inspector will have no undisclosed conflict of interest with the client, nor will the NACHI Inspector accept or offer any undisclosed commissions, rebates, profits, or other benefit.
8 The NACHI Inspector will not communicate any information about an inspection to anyone except the client without the prior written consent of the client, except where it may affect the safety of others or violates a law or statute. 
9. The NACHI Inspector shall always act in the interest of the client, unless doing so violates a law, statute, or this Code of Ethics.
10. The NACHI Inspector shall use a written contract that specifies the services to be performed, limitations of services, and fees.
11. The NACHI Inspector shall comply with all government rules and licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where he/she conduct business.
12. The NACHI inspector shall not perform or offer to perform, for an additional fee, any repairs or associated services to structure on which the inspector or inspector's company has prepared a home inspection report, for a period of 12 months. This provision shall not include services to components and/or systems which are not included in the NACHI standards of practice.
13. Duty to Continue Education
14. The NACHI Inspector will comply with NACHI's current Continuing Education Requirements.
15. The NACHI Inspector shall pass the NACHI's Online Inspector Exam once every calendar year.
15. Duty to the Profession and NACHI
16. The NACHI Inspector will strive to improve the Home Inspection Industry by sharing his/her lessons and/or experiences for the benefit of all. This does not preclude the Inspector from copyrighting or marketing his/her expertise to other Inspectors or the public in any manner permitted by law.
17. The NACHI Inspector shall assist the NACHI leadership in disseminating and publicizing the benefits of NACHI membership.
18. The NACHI Inspector will not engage in any act or practice that could be deemed damaging, seditious, or destructive to NACHI, fellow NACHI members, NACHI employees, leadership or directors. Member(s) accused of acting or deemed in violation of such rules shall be reviewed by the Ethics committee for possible sanctions and/or expulsion from NACHI.