My job as your professional home inspector is to alert you, to the extent possible, to unknown problems and potential environmental hazards in your current or potential house. Hazards can be in many different forms and detected only by a trained individual and or through the expertise of experts specializing in a particular field.   Just because some of these hazards may be invisible, this does not mean they call for less vigilance on your part. I perform non-invasive visual inspections of readily accessible areas of the property.  I do not dismantle equipment, remove sealed entry points/access panels; pull up flooring or floor coverings, cut nor bore holes in walls, ceilings or floors; operate valves, switches or over current protection devices (breakers) that are in the off position; excavate or dig holes; move furniture or other personal items to get to inaccessible areas. While I may be able to alert you to possible problems, my basic inspection is no substitute for any recommendations to have a professional specialized contractor evaluate a certain condition noted in your report.

The home inspection process will usually involve inspection of the various systems and structural areas that make up most residential properties and include:

•    The Lots and Grounds
•    Exterior wall surfaces and Components (decks, balconies, patios etc.)
•    Roof System and Attic
•    Garage/Carport
•    The Structure (foundation & framing)
•    Electrical System
•    Air Conditioning System(s)
•    Heating System(s)
•    Fireplace/Wood burning stoves
•    Plumbing System
•    Interior Space (Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, rec. rooms, family rooms etc.)
•    Basement /Crawlspaces
•    Laundry Area

Each system or structural component is rated within one of several categories:

•    Acceptable Condition – functional and in good repair at the time of the inspection (the               system or component may not always be new).
•    Marginal – Functional but will likely require repair and/or replacement as well as immediate       attention (the age of a system or component will also affect its rating).
•    Defective – Failed to function, immediate repair or replacement is necessary, a potential           safety hazard, and is unable to perform its intended function.

Note: Defective items are the ones you must negotiate with the seller to have repaired or replaced.  Marginal-rated items are those that you will likely have to budget for to cover repair cost, as most homeowners will not negotiate on items that have not yet failed.

For details on each type of service available to you, please click on any of the titles below:

•    Pre-Purchase Inspections
•    Re-Inspections
•    New Home Inspections
•    Pre-Sale/Listing Inspections
•    Evaluation Inspections