Home Inspection
The process of purchasing a home is already exhausting and time consuming. For most potential home buyers, you will walk through several homes and perform your own set of inspections to see if the property is worth taking it to the next step.
A professional home inspection takes a closer look at the systems and functionality of the property. We take our time, onsite, to thoroughly evaluate the property. With digital images or video, we document the areas of the inspection for your personal inspection report.
Interior Inspections Include:
- Wall & Floor Framing
- Attic (Venting, Insulation and Structure)
- Heating & Cooling Systems (Types and Labels)
- Plumbing Systems (Source, DWV, Fixtures)
- Water Heater (Manufacturer, size, age)
- Walls, Ceilings & Floors
- Building Structure
- Basements and Crawlspaces
- Electrical System (Panels, branch wiring, fixtures and receptacles)
- Sump and Ejector Pumps
- Gas Leak Detection
- Appliances
Exterior Inspections Include:
- Foundation
- Grading and Drainage
- Exterior Walls (Covering & Flashing)
- Roof (Covering, Flashing, Penetrations and Chimney)
- Roof Drainage
- Fascia
- Soffits
- Windows & Doors
- Driveways & Walkways
- Steps, Stairs, Stoops, Rails and Landings
- Decks
- Garages
What Really Matters in a Home Inspection?
Relax. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life expectancies, minor imperfections and how the home compares to modern building practices. These are nice to know, however, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:
- Major (material) Defects: An example of this would be a significant structural failure.
- Things that may lead to major defects: A small water leak coming from roof flashing, for example.
- Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy or insure the home.
- Safety hazards: such as lack of GFCI protection, or smoke detection.
Homes are meant to be lived in. Every home buyer will eventually be a home seller. Home inspectors are required, by the standards of practice, to make notes and recommendations on a number of imperfections, scenarios and circumstances that may exist in the home. We can’t guess what a potential home buyer might consider important or ‘nit-picky.’ We report what we find.
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report and home inspectors have no legal authority to enforce repairs that have been documented. No home is perfect.
Keep things in perspective. Don’t walk away from your dream home over minor items. Everything is fixable. Only YOU know your resources, connections, skill levels and what you’re willing to tolerate in you potentially new home. The report is your due diligence to determine if moving forward is the right decision for your.
We use modern testing and inspection equipment to do our best to access the seldom used areas of the home (roof, attic and crawlspaces). Our digital reports will be full of digital pictures and recommendations, should we find issues that are of concern or in need of correction.
We are licensed, certified, experienced and insured. Our home inspections follow the standards of practice as described by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations. We adhere to a strict code of ethics as described by NACHI. Home inspectors cannot perform repairs on items found in an inspection report, as this is a conflict of interest. In our field, we are in contact with a number of reputable professionals that we can recommend upon request.
Radon & Mold Testing
Radon and mold testing are additional services offered in conjunction with a home inspection or as stand-alone tests. If testing comes back positive, our affiliates also provide radon mitigation and mold remediation services. Contact us, if you would like your home to be tested for radon and/or mold.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, following smoking. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive decay product of Uranium found in rock and soil. In the 1980’s. it was discovered that high radon concentration levels can be trapped within homes and lead to health problems. Mitigation services involve a fan and piping system that will provide radon gas a path away from the living space.
Mold Testing is needed to confirm the presence or concentration of mold in a dwelling. While many forms of mold may look obvious, other scenarios may be questionable. The presence of mold on building material does not always represent a threat to air quality. Illinois home inspectors cannot legally document mold with certainty. We must use a broad term like “possible microbial or fungal growth.” Only a lab can confirm the presence of mold. Air sampling can also tell you the level of mold spores (elevated or not elevated) as compared to outdoor air.
Radon and mold are naturally occurring. This means that there will always be some level of radon or mold present in your home. Environmental and health agencies have set limits as to what is acceptable and when action is recommended or needed.