Why Should I get a Home Inspection?
A comprehensive home inspection can give you the security and knowledge of the property you are buying. The inspection will inform you of any current or previous issues that may need to be addressed before purchasing. It can also point out areas of the property that need maintenance and give you a better understanding of how the house operates.
When should I schedule my Home Inspection?
As soon as you have reached a written agreement with the seller. You need time to analyze the information contained in the inspection report prior to the end of your due diligence period. You will also want to ensure necessary repairs, if any, are satisfactorily completed prior to the close of escrow.
Should I be present during the inspection?
We recommend that you be present at the conclusion of the Inspection so that we can explain any problem areas while showing relevant pictures or pointing it out while at the house.
When will the written report be delivered?
The full color written report, with pictures, is always delivered, via email, within 24 hours and frequently much sooner.
When and how do I pay?
Payment is due prior to delivery of the report. I accept cash, credit cards or checks. Most clients pay by credit card, while we are still onsite, after the inspection has been completed and I have answered their questions.
Can your house fail the home inspection?
All homes both new and old have defects. It is the home inspectors job to disclose those defects objectively and fairly. Only the prospective buyer can determine if the home has "failed" the inspection by his or her own terms and criteria. Remember that no two buyers are alike and what may be important to one, might be of little concern to the next. The home inspectors job is to report only what they see and let the buyer decide from there whats important to them.
Do I really need a home inspection?
Absolutely. A professional home inspection by an objective third party frequently uncovers items overlooked or neglected by the current homeowners. I sometimes find problems that the sellers didn't even know existed. If caught in the early stages most problems are easily remedied and inexpensive to repair. Regardless of the age of the home all buyers should have a home inspection before the close of escrow.
Does the inspector perform repairs?
No, our inspectors cannot perform any repairs, quotes, or other guarantees per the Alabama Building Commission statutes: (Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-14B-1, et seq., 41-9-140, et seq) Your inspection report provides a summary of recommended repairs and evaluations which should be done by licensed professionals in their respective fields.
Do you inspect for compliance with current building codes?
No, only officials from the "jurisdiction having authority" (a public agency) are authorized by the state of Alabama to interpret or enforce building codes. If you have a question, you should check with your local building department. Some homes in Central Alabama were built before there were any building codes.
Why can't I have someone I know who is handy or a contractor, inspect my home?
This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Professional Inspectors get what we call an inspectors instinct for problems. That instinct takes extensive training and lots of experience doing inspections to develop. Many contractors, and other trades professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their homes when they make a purchase.
Do you inspect manufactured homes?
Yes, we inspect manufactured homes exactly the way we would a conventional home.
In addition to a Home Inspection, what other items might I examine during my due diligence investigation?
Your real estate professional can provide a great deal of information. You may also want to review items such as: the sellers disclosure statement, a preliminary title report, zoning and other local ordinances, home owner association regulations, assessor's information, previous building permits to name a few.
A comprehensive home inspection can give you the security and knowledge of the property you are buying. The inspection will inform you of any current or previous issues that may need to be addressed before purchasing. It can also point out areas of the property that need maintenance and give you a better understanding of how the house operates.
When should I schedule my Home Inspection?
As soon as you have reached a written agreement with the seller. You need time to analyze the information contained in the inspection report prior to the end of your due diligence period. You will also want to ensure necessary repairs, if any, are satisfactorily completed prior to the close of escrow.
Should I be present during the inspection?
We recommend that you be present at the conclusion of the Inspection so that we can explain any problem areas while showing relevant pictures or pointing it out while at the house.
When will the written report be delivered?
The full color written report, with pictures, is always delivered, via email, within 24 hours and frequently much sooner.
When and how do I pay?
Payment is due prior to delivery of the report. I accept cash, credit cards or checks. Most clients pay by credit card, while we are still onsite, after the inspection has been completed and I have answered their questions.
Can your house fail the home inspection?
All homes both new and old have defects. It is the home inspectors job to disclose those defects objectively and fairly. Only the prospective buyer can determine if the home has "failed" the inspection by his or her own terms and criteria. Remember that no two buyers are alike and what may be important to one, might be of little concern to the next. The home inspectors job is to report only what they see and let the buyer decide from there whats important to them.
Do I really need a home inspection?
Absolutely. A professional home inspection by an objective third party frequently uncovers items overlooked or neglected by the current homeowners. I sometimes find problems that the sellers didn't even know existed. If caught in the early stages most problems are easily remedied and inexpensive to repair. Regardless of the age of the home all buyers should have a home inspection before the close of escrow.
Does the inspector perform repairs?
No, our inspectors cannot perform any repairs, quotes, or other guarantees per the Alabama Building Commission statutes: (Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-14B-1, et seq., 41-9-140, et seq) Your inspection report provides a summary of recommended repairs and evaluations which should be done by licensed professionals in their respective fields.
Do you inspect for compliance with current building codes?
No, only officials from the "jurisdiction having authority" (a public agency) are authorized by the state of Alabama to interpret or enforce building codes. If you have a question, you should check with your local building department. Some homes in Central Alabama were built before there were any building codes.
Why can't I have someone I know who is handy or a contractor, inspect my home?
This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Professional Inspectors get what we call an inspectors instinct for problems. That instinct takes extensive training and lots of experience doing inspections to develop. Many contractors, and other trades professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their homes when they make a purchase.
Do you inspect manufactured homes?
Yes, we inspect manufactured homes exactly the way we would a conventional home.
In addition to a Home Inspection, what other items might I examine during my due diligence investigation?
Your real estate professional can provide a great deal of information. You may also want to review items such as: the sellers disclosure statement, a preliminary title report, zoning and other local ordinances, home owner association regulations, assessor's information, previous building permits to name a few.