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Home Inspection

Featured Listings

Home Inspector, Mold Inspector and Assessor

2019 18th Street
Portsmouth
Ohio 45662
United States
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With Experience Comes Great Results!

2210 Miguel Chavez Rd.
#1418
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
United States
I am a Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)®. I
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HOME INSPECTIONS HALLEY

11366 NW 83 WAY
MIAMI-DADE + BROWARD+MONROE, Florida 33178
United States
www.HomeInspectionsHalley.com Tel: 305-433-6455
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Antelope Valley Home Inspectors-9 yrs exp-over 4,000 inspections

Palmdale/Lancaster/Littlerock, California 93535
United States
Kevin Rea-AV Home Inspectors 9 Years
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HomePro Inspections

2950 Halcyon Lane
Suite 201
Florida 32223
United States
HomePro is your one stop for all your home
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Recent Listings

VA Home Inspect, LLC (State Licensed) Offering STRONG inspection reports

Northern Virginia, Virginia 22015
United States
Virginia State Licensed and Insured. Serving VA
05-18-2012 »» Read More

The Inspector Home Inspections

4701 South Dante
Mesa, Arizona, Arizona 85212
United States
I’m not your average Home Inspector. You need an
03-22-2012 »» Read More

Cardinal Home Inspections, LLC

1470 Tobias Gadson Rd.
Suite 202
Charleston, South Carolina 29407
United States
At Cardinal Home Inspections, we take the time to
02-27-2012 »» Read More

4D Building Solutions

Florida 34637
United States
02-20-2012 »» Read More

A Wise Inspector Service, LLC

103 Longwood Drive
Brandon
Mississippi 39042
United States
A Wise Inspector Service, LLC Years of Experience
02-06-2012 »» Read More

Home Inspection

Whether you are in the market to buy a new home or planning to sell your existing residence, getting a professional home inspection can save you headaches, worries, and potentially thousands of dollars. A home inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of real property performed by a state licensed professional. Licensed home inspectors are required to spend hours engaged in classroom study followed by a period of apprenticeship during which they work alongside a sponsoring or cooperating experienced home inspector. Only after completing the required courses, passing a mandated test, and performing satisfactorily in the field, are home inspectors allowed to practice and offer their services to the public. In addition, to maintain their licenses, home inspectors are required to take state agency approved continuing education courses related to subjects such as changes in building codes, improved or revised inspection methods, and professional ethics.

Home Inspection Overview

Services provided by a professional home inspection will typically consist of a walk through and visual analysis of the home’s exterior and interior structure, as well as observation and operation of a home’s mechanical components. Structural evaluation of the exterior mainly consists of checking the integrity of the home’s foundation, roofing and framing. The systematic methods and procedures used by licensed home inspectors during this evaluation are designed to identify any problems a home may potentially have with drainage, shifting, water penetration, wood rot, cracks in masonry, etc. Interior structural home inspection procedures include analysis of the basement, attic, interior walls, floors, windows, doors and other possible components such as a fireplace or stairway. Home inspections also address the presence of or conditions conducive to the presence of wood destroying insects like termites or carpenter ants. This is important because these pests typically cause damage from the inside out and can often go unnoticed until a major problem occurs.

Mechanical Components

The mechanical components of a home consist mainly of the electrical system, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and built-in appliances such as disposal, dishwasher, oven, range, microwave, garage door opener, etc. Additional components include a swimming pool or spa, irrigation system, or any other permanent structure or fixture that is present. When performing an evaluation on these mechanical systems, the home inspection usually entails actual operation of the component in addition to the visual inspection. When operating, the inspector will determine not only if the system is working, but whether or not it is functioning according to accepted standards. For example, when evaluating a central air conditioning unit, the inspector will measure the temperature of the air going into the system as well as the air coming out of the vents. The conditioned air coming out of the vents should be somewhere between 14 to 20 degrees cooler than the air entering the system.

Home Energy Efficiency

In addition to providing structural and mechanical analysis, a home inspection can also provide evaluation of a home’s energy efficiency. This evaluation is usually accompanied by tips that homeowners can use to ensure that their home is operating as efficiently as possible. Many items such as leaky faucets, running toilets, inadequate ventilation and lack of weather stripping are problems that are inexpensive to address and can save the homeowner hundreds of dollars per year in utility costs.

Home Inspection Report

Upon completion of the home inspection, the customer will be provided with a comprehensive home inspection report. The state agency that oversees the licensing of home inspectors requires all licensees to use the same standard home inspection reports. This report will list all of the items present that were checked during inspection and whether or not they are performing as intended. If the inspector determines that there is a problem with any of the structural or mechanical elements, a notation is made regarding the specific issue, accompanied by detailed comments and often a digital photograph for reference. Most home inspectors prefer to have the potential home buyer or current owner present during inspection so that he can physically point out specific issues on the inspection report and further enhance the customer’s understanding of the items in question. Additionally, a home inspector will often be able to provide references for carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other trades persons.

Be Sure to Hire a Home Inspector

Purchasing a home is one of the largest and most important investments that an individual will make. Likewise, selling a home can be a stressful and tricky endeavor. The best way to eliminate surprises for both sellers and buyers is to enlist the services of a licensed home inspector.
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