Residential or Commercial Building Inspection

Buying or selling residential property?

A critical part of purchasing a home is determining the condition the house is in, What you don't know will cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Because some problems just can't be easily recognized. For peace of mind and financial protection obtaining a professional house inspection is a must for anyone considering the purchase of real estate.

The type and extent of inspection services you choose will depend on the property, its location, occupancy and use history, construction materials, and age. It is often helpful to accompany a home inspector during an inspection. For buyers, it gives a chance to ask questions and get detailed information while giving the home a thorough look. For homeowners, it allows an opportunity to answer questions the inspector may have. In either case, accompanying an inspector can help get the most from a home inspection.

Some of the benefits to obtaining inspection services include the following:

• Exposes expensive, serious problems before they become yours to fix.
• Determines if any health hazards, such as radon or asbestos, are present.
• Documents current overall condition and possible future maintenance.

The following are normally Covered with residential inspection

• Foundations (Structurally Sound)
• Floors, Walls & Ceilings (Structurally Sound)
• Central Heating & Cooling Systems
• Electrical Systems
• Interior Plumbing & Drain Systems
• Windows & Doors
• Finished Floors, Walls & Ceilings
• Sump Pumps
• Water Heaters
• Harmful Gases From Furnace
• Harmful Gases From Water Heater
• Roofs
• Garages
• Exteriors
• Grade
• Drainage
• Attic Insulation
• Attic Ventilation
• Kitchen & Bath Ventilation
• Fireplaces & Woodburners
• Smoke Alarms & CO Detectors
• Built-in Appliances

An easy way to find a home inspector is to ask others for recommendations. Real estate agents frequently know of good home inspectors, as they typically deal with them frequently during home sales. Friends who have recently had home inspections may have other recommendations.

When selecting a home inspector, it is a good idea to ask questions. It is important to know how much they will charge for the inspection, and what the inspection includes. Some inspectors will produce detailed printed reports that list any potential problems that are found. It is also critical to find out how the inspector is qualified to inspect homes. Many inspectors are willing to give out references of past clients, who can talk about their home inspection experience.

You receive a 400 Page report with helpful reference material written by Carson Dunlop

The clearest, most comprehensive reference guide available. The Home Reference Book is provided to the potential home purchaser at the end of every home inspection. The easy-to-use manual contains 400 informative pages and over 160 illustrations, organized as follows:

Text and Illustrations

A simple explanation of home construction, with detailed chapters on each of the nine house systems - Roofing, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Insulation, Plumbing and Interior. Plus illustrations showing how each component of the house is made, how it works and how it wears out or fails.

Life Cycles and Costs

A wealth of information on normal life expectancies of roofs, furnaces, etc. as well as the ballpark costs of replacing such items.

Maintenance

A handy chart with text setting out the recomended frequency of household maintenance so that you can catch little problems before they become big ones.

Filing System

A series of files to record and store your house documents including Aquisition Records, Mortgages, Insurance Policies, Property Taxes, plus costs for Utilities, Home Improvements, Major Furniture and Appliances.

Improvement Recommendations

Nine pages to be filled in, recording the state of a house's major systems and components. Any improvement recommendations can be noted, describing the nature, timing and likely cost of each item.

The Bottom Line

The summary page that instantly tells you how a house stacks up against its peers, highlighting any and all components requiring significant improvements and/or major expenditures in the near future.
Of all the tools used by the home owner, The Home Reference Book could well be the most valuable. It can help inform you, organize you...and save you money.

• Marketing tips
• Information on current discounts and promotions
• Notification of upcoming training and report writing seminars (i.e. commercial training)
• Up to date information on the Home Inspection industry

Home Reference Book Feedback

• "The best home inspection reference book bar none." - RW
• "It's a great reporting system. I'm constantly trying to find a suggestion for improvement, but you're always one step ahead of me." - OH
• "It is the most thorough reporting system available-the Mercedes Benz of reports!" - RR
• "It sets me ahead of the competition. It is very well received by clients and realtors." - RM
• "In addition to a great inspection reporting system, it offers a wealth of information for the buyer." - JS