Inspection Services
Here are our inspection services. We provide complete home inspection services according to the Home Inspection Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
Home Inspection: Size Dependent
A home is probably the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, so it’s important to understand the condition of your investment. I’ll provide a non-invasive evaluation of the home’s accessible structure, systems and components. While a home inspection can’t reveal every concern that exists, it will significantly reduce your anxiety by arming you with the knowledge you need to make an informed home-buying decision.
Pre-Drywall Inspection: Size Dependent
One way to ensure that a house is built according to its specifications is by performing a pre-drywall inspection. “Pre-drywall” refers to a phase during the homebuilding process just after the installation of certain elements – such as the doors, windows, foundation, flooring, wall and roof components, plumbing and electrical rough-in – and right before the drywall is hung. This in-progress or construction-phase inspection is useful because drywall can obscure some aspects of the interior and make identifying or fixing any problems both difficult and expensive, once the new home is completely finished.
Annual Home Maintenance Inspection: Size Dependent
Especially if you’re a new homeowner, an Annual Home Maintenance Inspection can help you understand and plan for the demands of maintaining your home properly. Some tasks are seasonal, and some items require more frequent attention. Let me help you start on the path of responsible homeownership by identifying any issues, and educating you about what should be done each year to keep your home in top condition. Even if you’re a veteran homeowner, my inspection can verify whether your home’s maintenance is sufficient, or whether any problems have developed during the past year.
New Construction Inspection: Size Dependent
Are you building a new home? I’ll come out during different phases of the construction process to make sure your project is being executed according to your specs. I can verify that scheduled work has been completed before you make a payment to your contractor. I’ll also come out prior to project completion to help you and your general contractor devise a punch list of remaining items. This is not a code-compliance inspection for your contractor, but a New Construction Inspection for you.
Mold Inspection: Dependent on # of Samples
Unchecked mold indoors can damage the structure of a home, cause wood rot, and ruin drywall. Most importantly, mold can cause health problems. A professional mold test starts with a thorough inspection of your property. I will investigate any signs of past or present water intrusion, which can promote mold growth, and I’ll take samples of any suspected mold for laboratory analysis.
Radon Gas Testing: $175
Although radon is a naturally occurring gas in our environment, it's also the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S., according to the Surgeon General. One out of 15 homes is estimated to have dangerously elevated radon levels. The Surgeon General and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend testing all houses. Millions of Americans have had their homes tested for radon, and you should, too.
Infrared Inspection: $100
I use a state-of-the-art infrared camera to find problems that aren’t always apparent to the naked eye. An IR camera translates the heat signatures of objects into colors on a gradient scale, with higher temperatures appearing as lighter colors, and lower temperatures and wet areas appearing as darker colors. By evaluating these images, I can detect sources of energy loss, locate areas of moisture intrusion, pinpoint dangerous hot spots in the electrical system, and uncover other problems, such as wood-destroying pest and rodent infestations, as well as flue leaks in the chimney, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Sewer Scope Inspection: $250
Are your sinks and tubs emptying too slowly? I will use a special camera to scope your sewer line to visualize any blockages that are interfering with your plumbing system’s proper drainage. Finding and addressing such problems now can head off catastrophic and expensive repairs later.
Roof Inspection: $250
Do you need just a roof inspection performed for insurance or other purposes? I will perform a standalone Roof Inspection & Certification and evaluate your roof from the eaves, as well as walk it (when it is safe to do so) to assess its overall condition, including the presence and status of flashing, chimneys, vents, skylights, and other penetrations.
4-Point Inspection: $350
Many insurance companies require a 4-Point Inspection for homeowner’s insurance and renewals for an existing policy on an older home. The “four points” covered in this limited inspection include the four vital systems of the home: the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. This inspection identifies their components, determines their age, and assesses their overall condition.
Plumbing Inspection:
A plumbing inspection is a systematic process of assessing the critical areas of the plumbing system of a property. It is performed by certified plumbers to avoid the risk of pipe corrosion, clogs, leaks, and burst tubes that can cause flooding and property damage.
Deck Inspection: $275
A deck inspection should progress in much the same order as deck construction. Inspectors should start at the bottom. If a deck is deemed unsafe from underneath, the inspector should not walk out onto the deck to inspect decking, handrails, etc. The inspector should stop and report the safety issues.
Electrical System Inspection:
An electrical home inspection provides a thorough examination of your entire electrical system, ensuring all electrical wires, systems, and components (such as appliances) meet legal safety standards.
Chimney & Fireplace Inspection: Included with Inspection
A level-one chimney inspection includes a visual check of the fireplace and chimney without any special equipment or climbing up on the roof. The inspector will come to your house with a flashlight; look for damage, obstructions, creosote buildup, and soot; and tell you if the chimney requires sweeping.
