An Overview
Home inspection services can help you buy or sell your home with confidence. As trained professionals, we have seen it all, and we’ll provide invaluable help in turning you into a knowledgeable consumer. Homeowners can identify problems in the making and take preventive measures to avoid costly repairs. Sellers can understand conditions the buyer’s inspector may point out and put the property in better selling condition by making repairs.
Property Inspections
A home cannot fail an inspection. A professional home inspection gives you an independent, unbiased view of any problems and their solutions, so that you will have all the facts you need to make a sound, informed decision.
Depending on the size and condition of the home, thorough home inspection services will take no more than four hours, usually between an hour and a half and three hours. Ideally, you will accompany your inspector during the consultation, so that you will have visual reinforcement of your written report.
Buyers
In both new and older homes, the best way to ensure that you are well informed about the strengths and weaknesses of a property is to have us give you a professional home inspection. We are trained to identify problem areas both small and large that may have been overlooked by the previous owners and to identify which require immediate attention.
Sellers
Whether you are selling your home on your own or using a realtor, it’s always a prudent idea to have a professional home inspection. Knowledge is power. All homes have strengths and weaknesses: we help you answer how serious the problems are and which must be immediately addressed and which can wait. The more you know about your home, the more prepared you will be for negotiation.
Construction
In a new home, the quality of construction is often not what it used to be some years ago, therefore many buyers have independent reviews of their properties during various stages of the construction process, including slab, frame, and final inspection. This relatively inexpensive inspection protects your purchase, prevents unpleasant surprises, and ensures the quality home that you’ve dreamed about.
Construction
In a new home, the quality of construction is often not what it used to be some years ago, therefore many buyers have independent reviews of their properties during various stages of the construction process, including slab, frame, and final inspection. This relatively inexpensive inspection protects your purchase, prevents unpleasant surprises, and ensures the quality home that you’ve dreamed about.
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial real estate investors can benefit from inspections for many of the same reasons that apply to home inspections. Every commercial property is different, and every client has different needs, expectations and budgets. Our approach to these varying requirements is to custom tailor each of our property assessments individually according to those differences and needs.
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial real estate investors can benefit from inspections for many of the same reasons that apply to home inspections. Every commercial property is different, and every client has different needs, expectations and budgets. Our approach to these varying requirements is to custom tailor each of our property assessments individually according to those differences and needs.
Warranty
Most builders provide a one-year warranty for new construction. Generally during this period of time the buyer develops a “punch list” of corrections for the contractor to repair under the warranty coverage. Some defects will not be obvious to the untrained eye. It is prudent to obtain our home inspectors list of items that will most likely be repaired by your builder at no cost to you. You will be reassured knowing that potential problems were addressed before they grew into something that could cost you a great deal down the road.
Repairs Estimate
In addition to our Inspection Report we can provide a Cost Of Repairs Estimate for an additional fee. Our experience as builder, inspector and consultant has provided us with an understanding of the estimating process that qualifies us to develop cost-of-repair figures that are accurate and reliable. This can be utilized by the client to help determine the approximate cost of updating older systems or repairs to bring the structure up to acceptable standards.
Are you prepared for an earthquake?
Scientists have much to learn about “earthquake predictions” however, we have learned much about preparedness. We can help mitigate earthquake damage to your home by inspecting such details as on the list to the right.
- The disposition of your water heater and forced air units
- Proximity of major appliances to gas or electrical lines
- Proper flexible connections for appropriate lines
- Foundation securely anchored
- Loose tiles or bricks that can fall and cause damage
Our Inspections Include
We take our inspection reports seriously. Every inspection is a complete and thorough analysis of all the major systems and components in the home. The report includes a clear description of what we’ve found with any problem areas noted, so you can easily identify them. Our inspectors also provide a free telephone consultation after your inspection.
A thorough home inspection will include the following on the list to the right.
Shingles, flashings, chimneys, vents, trim and gutters, drip edges, skylights, downspouts, and other visible roof-related items.
Insulation, ventilation, rafters, joists and collar ties, trusses, wiring attachments, and other visible related items.
Floors and ceilings, walls, stairs (if applicable) and banisters, finishes, sinks, cabinets, shelving, built-in appliances, smoke detectors and safety-related items, and other visible interior-related components.
Water pressure, water distribution system, hose bibs, sinks and faucets, bath/showers and toilets, sanitary system, and other plumbing system components.
Furnace, air cleaning parts, ductwork, air conditioner and lines, and other visible related HVAC components.
Service entry and clearances, service panel, switches and outlets, visible wiring and junction boxes, grounding system, and other related electrical components.
Insulation, ventilation, posts, vapor barriers, utility attachment, structural items, floors and walls, and columns.
Siding materials, attachments, windows, doors, sashes and lintels, vents, entryways, and other visible exterior related components.
- Environmental Issues
- Decks and Porches
- Fireplaces
- Overall Structure
Termite Inspections
Structural Pest Inspections provide extremely valuable information to buyers of both older and newer homes with a detailed written report on areas inspected, evidence found of termite activity, high risk termite entry areas inaccessible to inspection and termite control options and limitations thereto.
By law, all pest control applicators, inspectors and companies must be licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board.
Structural Pest Control OPR 9922
Wood Destroying Insects
A typical homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover destruction caused by termites, even though they cause over 1 billion dollars in damage to homes throughout the United States each year. It’s important that homeowners understand the threat of termites and other wood destroying insects, and take the necessary steps to protect their homes.
Termites, which play a positive role in recycling wood and plant material, become a problem when they consume structural lumber. Every year thousands of U.S. housing units require termite treatment. These pests cause serious damage to wooden structures and posts and can also attack stored food, household furniture, and books. Successful termite management requires special skills, including a working knowledge of building construction and an understanding of termite biology and identification. In most cases, it is advisable to hire a professional pest control company for the inspection and control problem.
Wood-boring beetle larvae feed on wood and wood products. Adults of some species bore holes into plaster, plastic, and soft metals. Many species cause problems when emerging from wood in newly constructed buildings because they leave small circular or oval exit holes in the wood. To avoid these problems, infested wood must be kiln-fried before being used for lumber. The species Deathwatch Beetles is primarily found in soft woods (girder, beams, foundation timbers, some types of furniture, with some species attacking books). False Powderpost female beetles bore a tunnel, or egg gallery, into wood or other materials, then deposit eggs in pores or cracks within the tunnel. Adults of some species bore through such soft metal as lead and silver, as well as plaster and other non-wood materials. Affected structural wood should be removed and replaced whenever possible.
Wood wasp damage in buildings is likely to be more cosmetic than structurally weakening. Emerging wood wasps can chew through any substance: wallboard or plaster walls, hardwood floors, carpeting, linoleum, non-ceramic floor tiles, and other interior surfaces.
Several species can damage wood in building and other structures. Though ants don’t eat wood, they bore into it to make their nests, sometimes causing serious structural damage. Also, they nest in hollow doors, cracks and crevices, furniture, wall voids, and termite galleries. New building infestation occurs when land-cleaning in the area disturbs existing native colonies.
Energy & Water Conservation
With our energy conservation inspection, you’re sure to get the necessary information you need to know regarding your property’s condition and adherence to local conservation regulations. We are experienced and knowledgeable in energy conservation inspections and look forward to helping you comply with applicable regulations as well as save money on your monthly bills.
San Francisco Residential Energy Conservation Inspector #69
Electronic Reports
After we complete your home inspection, you can easily access your Inspection Report on our website. We’ll create an account for you, and you can log in here to view your report online.
Residential
Upon scheduling an inspection, you will be required to fill out a contract agreement. You can download our residential contract agreement below.
Commercial
Upon scheduling an inspection, you will be required to fill out a contract agreement. You can download our commercial contract agreement below.
