Inspections
There are many times when an inspection can give you an advantage. If you are buying a home, getting a home inspection means you know about any problems and their solutions before you move in. If you are selling a home, getting a home inspection means you know you are complying with full disclosure laws. It also means you can consider selecting contractors rather than waiting for the buyer to do so. If you have recently purchased a new home from a builder and the one year "builder warranty" is about to expire, a home inspection by a professional can let you know whether the builder/contractor did the job correctly.
Types of Inspections
New Home Inspection
Because the quality of new construction is often not what it used to be some years ago, 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.
Pre-Sale Inspection
Whether you are selling your home on your own or using a realtor, it is 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.
1-Year Warranty Inspection
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 a 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.
Previously-Built Inspection
The best way to ensure that you are well informed about the strengths and weaknesses of a property is to have a professional home inspection. Home inspectors 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.
Additional Testing Services
The following services are conducted by Massachusetts state-certified laboratories:
- Radon Gas
- Radon in Water
- Water Quality
- Water Comprehensive (Shallow Wells)
- Extensive Water Comprehensive (Deep Wells)
- Water Quantity and Flow
Inspection Overview
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, a thorough home inspection will take no more than four hours, usually between an hour and a half to three hours. Ideally, you will accompany your inspector during the consultation, so that you will have visual reinforcement of your written report.
I take my 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 I've found with any problem areas noted, so you can easily identify them. I also provide a free telephone consultation after your inspection.
A thorough home inspection will include the following:
- Roof (shingles, flashings, chimneys, vents, trim and gutters, drip edges, skylights, downspouts, and other visible roof related items)
- Plumbing and Fixtures (water pressure, water distribution system, hose bibs, sinks and faucets, bath/showers and toilets, sanitary system, and other plumbing system components)
- Heating and Cooling Systems (furnace, air cleaning parts, ductwork, electronic monoxide testing, electric gas sniffer testing, air conditioner and lines, and other visible related HVAC components)
- Basements, Crawl Spaces, and Foundation (insulation, ventilation, posts, vapor barriers, utility attachment, structural items, floors and walls, and columns)
- Attics (insulation, ventilation, rafters, joists and collar ties, trusses, wiring attachments, and other visible related items)
- Interior (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)
- Electrical Systems (service entry and clearances, service panel, switches and outlets, visible wiring and junction boxes, grounding system, and other related electrical components)
- Exterior (siding materials, attachments, windows, doors, sashes and lintels, vents, entryways, and other visible exterior related components)
- Environmental Issues
- Decks and Porches
- Fireplaces
- Overall Structure
