Q. I’m buying a brand new home. Do I still need to get a Home Inspection?

A. Absolutely. There is no perfect home- even a brand new home can have defects, especially if you are not familiar with the builder and his work. And your inspection should include some maintenance tips and procedures, as well as how certain items work and where they are located (filters, shut-off valves. Etc.)

Q. I really like the house, and I don't want you to "kill the deal". Can you pass the inspection anyway?

A. There is no pass or fail on Home Inspections. The Home Inspection is merely an assessment of any safety defects or maintenance issues. The buyer ultimately decides whether the house passes or fails. "Deal Killer" is a derogatory label some Real Estate agents give to home inspectors. This is the old adage of "killing the messenger". The inspector cannot kill the deal, a defective house is what kills the deal. The inspector only points out items the client is not trained to find, and reports on them. It's like taking a used car to your mechanic before you buy it. If your mechanic says the transmission seems to be slipping, and you choose not to buy the car, does that make that your mean mechanic a "deal killer"? The car salesman may say so, but the final decision is yours as the buyer.

Q. How much does a Home Inspection cost?

A. Each inspection is as unique as the home being inspected. Prices are usually contingent upon many things, mainly square feet, location, and additional items needing inspected (detached garage, pool, spa, etc.) Please call for quote, or request a no-obligation quote on my Request a Quote page.

Q. How long will the inspection take?

A. The inspection should take at least 2-3 hours. Of course, a very large home could take more, but even the smallest home cannot be properly inspected in less than 2 hours.

Q. Do I need to be present during the inspection?

A. Although it is not necessary, it is highly recommended you are present during the inspection. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and learn about the components of your home. Once you receive your report, you will be more familiar with items discussed, having physically seen them.

Q. Can you tell me how much the home is worth, or if it’s really worth what I’m paying for it?

A. An inspector is not an appraiser. The purpose of the Home Inspection is to point out defects, maintenance items, and describe the components in general. You could even think of the home inspection as a class, or instruction manual, on how the house and its components works.

Q. You seem very knowledgeable about these items. Can you repair them for an additional fee?

A. Absolutely not. It is a violation of the Inspector’s Code of Ethics, and a conflict of interest for an inspector to perform contract work on a property that he reports on for one year. And that makes perfect sense, if you think about it. An inspector that is also a contractor on the same property could “find” dozens of defects then charge to repair them! “Double-dipping” is NOT ALLOWED!!

Q. I got several quotes and yours was lowest. Why do you charge less for inspections?

A. I honestly don’t know how to answer this question. Maybe since I work for myself out of my house, I don’t have the overhead costs that other inspection companies have. Maybe it’s because I’m not an engineer and don’t charge as such. I don’t try and sell “cheap” inspections. I give a fair price for a fair amount of work, and try and give my client great value-not necessarily bargains.