Home Buyer Inspection

A home buyer inspection may give you piece of mind when making possibly the most most significant investment of your life.

Whether the home you're inclined to buy was built in 1910, 2007,

• Exterior - General site observations; grading & drainage; identification of the type of wall finish and its condition; condition of (driveways, walkways, fences, gates, fascia, trim, exterior doors, decks, lights, outlets, balconies, guard rails). These are normally the first items we inspect, unless of course weather conditions would cause us to track dirt or mud into the living space, then the exterior is the last thing we check. Exterior Inspection Standards



• Structural - Identify the visible portions of the wall, floor, ceiling and roof structures. The applicable structural elements of the foundation, basement & crawlspace. Structural Inspection Standards



• Roofing - Type of roof covering (Asphalt Shingles, Wood, Metal, etc.); flashings; gutters; downspouts; skylights; any and all other roof penetrations. Roofing Inspection Standards



• Fireplace & Chimney - Attempt to identify the type of chimney (prefabricated, lined or unlined, etc.); inspect the fireplace; open & close the damper if accessable; report on the condition of the hearth & mantel; report any deficiencies noted in the lintel, hearth and material surrounding the fireplace. Fireplace & Chimney Inspection Standards



• Plumbing - Identify the location of the main water shut off; identify the type and condition of water supply pipes; identify the type and condition of the drain pipes; inspect the water heating equipment verifying, where appropriate, the combustion air supply, venting, connections, energy sources, and the applicable safety features; inspect and report deficiencies associated with toilets, tubs, showers, faucets, drains, etc. Plumbing Inspection Standards



• Electrical - Identify and report the type and location of the service line; identify and report the location of the main disconnect; determine the service amperage (if possible); test a representative number of outlets, electrical switches, light fixtures and all GFI receptacles; report the location of installed smoke detectors. Electrical Inspection Standards



• Heating - Determine and report the energy source for the heating system; report the location of the heating unit; determine and report if the heating unit is accessable; report on any system that does not peform its function using the normal operating controls. Heating System Inspection Standards



• Cooling - Report on the functionality of the cooling unit using normal operating controls (if the ambient air temperature is with in the range that will not cause the cooling system to be damaged). Cooling System Inspection Standards



• Attic - Inspect for the existance of insulation; evaluate the ventilation; inspection and report on the condition of the visible portions of the electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and mechanical venting systems. Attic Inspection Standards



• Doors, Windows & Interior - We inspect and report on the condition of a representative number of doors; windows; electrical (outlets, switches and fixtures) in all accessible spaces of the living area. In the Kitchen, Bathroom(s), Laundry Room and any other room that may contain plumbing items we inspect and evaluate the sinks, faucets, traps & drains and water supply lines. Inspection Standards