10 Common Home Inspection Related Questions Answered By The Experts

10 Common Home Inspection Related Questions Answered By The Experts

This post features Scott Berlyoung with Alpha Home Services.  I asked him to provide answers to these questions.  

1)      What does an inspector do?

AN ASHI RESIDENTIAL INSPECTOR COMPLETES A VISUAL REVIEW OF THE GENERAL HOUSE, LOT AND ALL SYSTEMS KEEPING SAFETY AND HEALTH IN MIND. A NEW HOME CODE INSPECTION HAS THE ADDED VALUE OF CHECKING STATE BUILDING CODES USING THE ICC, NEC AND OTHERS AS THE GEORGIA QUALIFICATION FOR MINIMUM BUILDING STANDARDS.

2)      How long does an inspection take?

MOST INSPECTIONS TAKE A HALF DAY, OR ABOUT 4 HOURS DEPENDING ON HOUSE SIZE AND THE NUMBER OF SYSTEMS TO RUN, E.G. MORE THAN ONE KITCHEN OR 3 HVAC UNITS MAY REQUIRE 4-6 HOURS. A NEW HOME FRAMING INSPECTION MAY TAKE ONLY 2-3 HOURS AGAIN DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE CONSTRUCTION.

3)      Do you guarantee your work?

YES, WE GUARANTEE ALL OUR WORK AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

4)      What do you inspect in a home?

THE HOME IS REVIEWED FROM OUTSIDE IN, TOP TO BOTTOM SO THAT ALL PLUMBING AND MOISTURE CONCERNS CAN BE PROPERLY CHECKED. ALL SYSTEMS ARE RUN AND NORMAL CONTROLS ARE OPENED INCLUDING ELECTRIC PANELS, WATER MAINS, AND FURNACE CONTROLS.

WE REQUEST ALL BUYERS TO ACCOMPANY THE INSPECTOR AND LEARN ABOUT THE HOME, ASKING QUESTIONS ALONG THE WAY. OUR CAMERA BRINGS PICTURES FROM ROOF TOPS AND THE BOTTOM OF CRAWL SPACES WHERE MOST PEOPLE DON’T VISIT.

5) Should I get a Radon test?

RADON SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED AND TESTED IF A PREVIOUS TEST IS NOT AVAILABLE. RADON IS ON THE PROPERTY DISCLOSURE FOR FAMILY HEALTH AND VALUE OF ALL GEORGIA PROPERTY. THE TEST IS SIMPLE; WE USE QUICK TURN AROUND ELECTRONIC MONITORS TO SPEED THE PROCESS.

6) What’s an ASHI certification?

ASHI, OR THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HOME INSPECTORS IS THE LEADING NATIONAL CERTIFICATION GROUP FOR PROFESSIONAL RESIDENTIAL INSPECTORS. AN ASHI INSPECTOR HAS PASSED SOME OF THE HIGHEST QUALIFICATIONS AND MUST MAINTAIN OVER 20 HOURS OF YEARLY STUDY TO MAINTAIN MEMBERSHIP.

7) Can you also repair any problems you find?

THE STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR AN ASHI INSPECTOR DO NOT ALLOW THIS CONFLICT OF INTEREST. WE MAY NOT DIRECTLY REFER OR CONDUCT A BUSINESS THAT IS CONTINGENT ON THE OUTCOME OR SALE OF THE HOME.

8) How much does an inspection cost?

AN AVERAGE ASHI HALF DAY INSPECTION COSTS $450-$500 AND HAS MANY BENEFITS, ALWAYS WELL WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY FOR AN INDIVIDUALS LARGEST LIFE INVESTMENT.

9) Can I pay you at the closing?

TYPICALLY, WE GET PAID AT THE END OF THE INSPECTION.

10) Do I have to have an inspection?

NO ONE IS REQUIRED TO INSPECT THEIR HOMES FOR SAFETY AND VALUE, BUT IT IS ALWAYS STRONGLY ADVISED FOR ALL THE ABOVE REASONS.

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