Inspection Frequently Asked Questions

What Does a Home Inspection include?
Home inspection reports will evaluation the condition of the home's heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement, building code violations, health and safety conditions and visible structure. (See our Services Page for more information.)

Does a House Pass or Fail an Inspection?
A home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. Therefore, a home will not pass or fail an inspection, but will receive a report detailing its structural integrity determining what repairs are necessary and what health or safety conditions must be addressed.

Do I have to be there?
We recommend that the buyer be present at the time of inspection to prevent report information from being misunderstood.  A clarification of problems at the time of inspection is the best approach.

What does it mean when a seller lists his house as “As Is”?
“As Is” is a seller’s concession.  That means the seller is not going to fix any problems.  This holds true except when there are health and safety concerns.

Does a newly constructed home need an inspection?
Yes, new homes do need inspections. The future buyer should know about shoddy and unsafe construction practices as well as a final C/O (Certificate of Occupancy).
Buyers should be aware of possible future settling and tensil stress cracking movement due to unstable substratum such as clay, silty clay (expansive soil), marsh areas, perennial stream and springs.