Who needs a home inspection?

Buyers and sellers. If you're buying a home, pre-owned or new, an inspection tells you the condition of the property. That way, there are no surprises after you already own the home. If you purchased a new home and it still has a warranty from the builder, it's a good idea to have a home inspection before it expires. It's a rare case that even a new home doesn't have some problems that were overlooked by the builder. Those repairs or corrections easily exceed the cost of an inspection. If you catch them prior to warranty expiration, your warranty should cover them. Sellers benefit by knowing the condition of their home before they place it on the market. Then, any needed repairs can be made prior to listing.

Do I need a house inspection when my bank is having the house appraised?

Yes! A house appraisal is an independent evaluation of the current market value of a house or property. In general, the purpose of an appraisal is to set the current value of a house so that a lender may determine how much it can loan to the buyer. The appraiser looks at similar properties in the area and the prices at which they were sold to set the value of the house. A house inspector conducts a thorough evaluation of the houses major systems and structural integrity. Whereas the appraiser is typically working for the bank, the USABISI Home Inspector is working for you! The inspector identifies items that need replacement or repair prior to closing, which can save you thousands of dollars. U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) requires buyers sign a Consumer Notice advising them to get a house inspection in addition to a house appraisal before purchasing a house with a FHA mortgage.

I have called your telephone number however no one answers, what's up with that?

I am a one man business, I am either conducting an inspection or just away from my phone. Either way, leave a message. I will return your call as soon as I am in a position to spend some time on the telephone with you.

How long does an inspection take?

Anywhere from two to four hours depending on the condition of the property, the number of services you've requested and the size of the home. I don’t rush through inspections.

What type of report do I receive?

A 27-page report covering all aspects of the home inspection, partial inspections will be a narrative report, pictures and reports are also available through email.

How long until I get my inspection report?

You shall receive your report normally the same day or within 24 hours of the inspection. The timeframe will depend on the size and condition of the home.

Should my Realtor receive a copy of your report?

Yes. Your realtor can assist you in determining if any items in the report are significant enough to warrant re-negotiation with the seller. Having your realtor review the report also insures that you both are "on the same page" at the closing. If you have any questions about an item in the report, call me and let's go over it.

Are you available to answer questions about the property or report after I close and move into the home?

Yes, I will be happy to assist you any way I can in clarifying the information I present in the report even after you've moved in.

Does a newly constructed home need an Inspection?

Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. I can spot potential problems early, while they are still easy to correct.

Do I really need to have the home tested for Radon gas?

Yes. Our Government is sometimes a bit wasteful and overly aggressive in their recommendations. But when it comes to Radon, they are absolutely valid in their recommendations. Here's what they say: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) strongly recommend that ALL home buyers test for the presence of elevated Radon gas. Radon, a Class A carcinogen, is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Based on recent reports from the National Academy of Sciences, the EPA estimates 21,000 Americans die of Radon induced lung cancer every year. The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technology (AARST) estimate 10 million homes and 38 million Americans are at risk from dangerous Radon exposure. Families may be at even higher risk if there is a smoker in the home. The EPA recommends remediation if Radon levels are 4 picocuries (pCI/l) or higher.

Why can’t I do the inspection myself?

Chances are that even if you are very familiar with home construction, you still don’t have the knowledge, training and experience of a professional Home Inspector. I'm not only familiar with all the systems of a home-and how they work and need to be maintained-but I also know what to look for to determine if they're about to fail. Also consider this-when you are involved in buying or selling a house, it’s impossible for you to remain completely unemotional about the house, and this may cloud your judgment. I will provide an objective, unbiased view of the property.

Will you fix the problems you find during the Inspection?

No. The code of ethics of The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) prohibits its members from soliciting repair work on properties they inspect. This assures that there will never be any conflict of interest on the part of the inspector. My purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective report on the condition of the home.

Do you walk on roofs?

Yes and No. The national standards for home inspections DO NOT require that any inspector walk on any roofs however, if in my opinion it is safe to walk on the roof, I usually do so. Nothing replaces actually being on the roof to examine the flashing and tiles. If the roof is made of tile, I will not walk on it. The weight of a person on tile roofs will cause tiles to break. If the roof pitch is too steep, I will not walk on the roof. In the cases that I do not walk on the roof, I will examine what can be seen from the ground using my digital camera, binoculars and or video system.

Do you go into attics?

Yes and No. The national standards for home inspections DO NOT require that any inspector Enter the attic or unfinished spaces that are not readily accessible or where entry could cause damage or pose a safety hazard to the inspector in his or her opinion however, if in my opinion it is safe to enter the attic, I usually do so. Nothing replaces actually entering the attic and examining the roof sheathing for signs of leaks. I also check for proper ventilation and insulation while in the attic.

Do you check for toxic mold/mildew?

Yes and No. If during the course of a standard home inspection I observe conditions that can cause the growth of toxic mold or mildew, I will make a mention of it in your report however, the only way to determine if a stain is actually toxic mold or mildew would be to take a sampling and have a lab test it. This is beyond the scope of a standard home inspection and is not available as an additional service at USABISI.

What forms of payment do you accept and when is payment due?

I accept cash, money orders, cashiers checks, local personal checks. If you are out of state a money order of certified check is recommended.

How soon can you inspect my property?

The sooner you know you need an inspection, the sooner you should schedule an appointment with me. For your convenience you can schedule an inspection 7 days a week.

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