| Why get a home inspection? Buying, selling, or preserving a home involves major decisions, ones that should be based on all the facts available. CCHIG's inspectors are not subject to the stress, excitement, and anxiety which naturally occur in the home buying or selling process. For a home buyer, understanding and being comfortable with your potential investment just makes good sense. A professional home inspection gives you a visual examination of the structure and systems of the accessible areas. It identifies non functioning systems, damaged building components, plus safety and quality issues. If you're buying a home, not only have it inspected - but also have it tested, at least for radon and well water bacteria. The upfront costs, you can be assured, will be much less than potential "down the road" costs, especially if health and safety issues arise from a lack of action. What do you look for, and possibly test for, in a house?
~ Exterior Faults - caulking, glass, decks, steps, railings, gutters ~ Roofing - shingles, valleys, flashing, vents, skylights, chimneys, ridges ~ Plumbing - waste line leaks/supply line leaks/connections [if readily visible], toilets, fixtures ~ Electrical - main panel, receptacles, switches, GFCI, junction boxes ~ Safety - smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, stairway handrails, GFCI ~ Heating/Air Conditioning - filters, thermostat, compressor, heat pumps, thermostats ~ Insulation/Attic Ventilation - depth, type, moisture, failure, vapor barriers ~ Termites - Consult/Contract with a state licensed pest control professional - as this is beyond the scope of a home inspection [requires specific licensing] ~ Possible Mold - crawlspace [readily accessible], attic, return air plenums ~ Interiors/Appliances - doors, cabinets, leaks, window seal failure, functioning appliances THIS IS JUST A MINOR REPRESENTATION OF WHAT IS INSPECTED/TESTED ~ INSPECTION REPORTS AVERAGE 24 PAGES with 50 to 80 PHOTOGRAPHS ~ [emailed to client(s) same day when AM inspection is provided] How long does it take to inspect a house? The average house inspection process, including detailed inspection photo inclusion, report compilation, report analysis & submission - usually takes about 5-6 hours, depending upon the size, age, and condition of the house being inspected. Sometimes a little less - sometimes a lot more! Do I need to be there during the inspection? No, you are not required to be there for the inspection. It is our goal to provide an unbiased evaluation of the house and property – which we will gladly review with you after the inspection has been completed. If you wish to be present, that’s OK too since we're working for you. Upon completion of the inspection, if present, our inspector will then explain the findings and answer any questions that you may have. Again, our goal is to evaluate and educate. Can I do the inspection myself? Chances are that even if you're familiar with home construction, you may still not have the knowledge, training, equipment, or experience of a certified home inspector. We are not only familiar with the systems of a home – how they work and need to be maintained – but we also know what signs to look for that indicate a system or component is getting ready to fail, or is in need of an upgrade or repair. Beyond the technical expertise and experience, it is important to remember that the inspector remains an impartial third party. If you are involved in buying or selling a house, it’s impossible for you to remain completely unemotional about the house, and this could cloud your judgment. We will provide an objective “outside” reporting of the facts. What if the report uncovers issues or problems? Our report will convey the condition of the home, including needed repairs. NO HOUSE IS GOING TO BE PERFECT. It is up to you to decide on how any issues the inspection uncovers might affect your decision to purchase. If major issues are discovered, you may want to try negotiating with the seller to have the specific item(s) repaired before closing the deal. Or, perhaps the seller will lower the price or offer you more favorable contract terms. In the end, the decision rests with you, but having all the facts can only assist you in the decision making process. In addition, should the report recommend further evaluation by a "trade-specific" professional, failure to heed that advice could prove costly - especially if not undertaken prior to closing. Is the written report – Pass of Fail? Homes don’t pass or fail an inspection. Every home has significant qualities and potential problems. We will identify and explain these traits in an easy-to-understand written report. For example, exterior grading improvements can often prevent significant basement problems. Home inspectors, regardless of company, do not provide an appraisal, nor a municipal or national “code” inspection. Is an inspection worth the cost – even if the home looks fine? Compared to the significant financial investment you're about to undertake, most likely many hundreds of thousands of dollars, the cost of a home inspection is minimal - and most likely will pay for itself many times over with what it uncovers! A quality home inspection will provide an independent perspective on the condition of the home. This can reduce the risk of major surprises after closing. Keep in mind that our inspectors are “Certified.” The time of such an experienced individual may cost more than, say, that of another inspector with fewer qualifications who may charge less. You’re about to make a major investment. A cheap inspection may just be that – a quick and cheap inspection! |
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
NC License #002751
SC License #RBI 2527
