Ahead Inspection FAQ

What exactly is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of a residential
dwelling, performed for a fee, which is designed to identify observed material
defects and safety issues that may effect the clients valuation of the property.
A home inspection will not reveal every concern that exists or ever could exist,
but only those material defects observed on the day of the inspection. Any
issues noted during the inspection are presented to the client in the form of a
written report. The inspection report describes and identifies in written format
the inspected systems, structures, and components of the dwelling and
identifies material defects observed. Inspection reports may contain
recommendations regarding conditions reported or recommendations for
correction, monitoring or further evaluation by professionals. When I inspect
your home I will examine every area that can be accessed safely and without
causing damage to the property, but since this is a visual, non-invasive
inspection I will not be dismantling any components except for removing access
covers on some mechanical systems. Please refer to the NACHI Standards of
Practice for details.

What is an Independent Home Inspector and why is this important?
Ahead Inspection Inc is an Independent Home Inspection Company. What
that means is that I do not solicit Realtors for client referrals. Instead, most of
my work is referred to me by former clients or Realtors that I have met during
the normal course of my business. The reason I made this choice is because of
the potential for a conflict of interest. This conflict can arise when a Realtor
refers a potential homebuyer to an inspector, whose income depends on
continued referrals from the Realtor. Even though in most of cases there is no
reciprocal relationship between the Realtor and the inspector, I wanted to avoid
even the appearance of a conflict of interest in order to best serve my client,
the potential homebuyer.

That does not mean that Realtors do not refer clients to my company. You
may be reading this right now because your Realtor provided contact
information. These Realtors recognize the value of the services provided by
my company and are committed to seeing that their clients receive a thorough
and objective quality home inspection. These Realtors understand and
acknowledge my reasons for becoming an Independent Inspector, and are as
interested in avoiding the appearance of a conflict of interest as I am. If you
have one of these Realtors you should consider yourself fortunate.

Do I need to be present during the inspection?
It is not strictly necessary for you to attend the inspection, but you should be
there if at all possible, even if you can only get there for the last half hour so
that I can present my findings to you in person. My interpretation of what is
"good" or "fair" may be different than yours, so your presence is helpful in
establishing an understanding of each others perceptions.

What can I expect on the day of the inspection?
In most cases I will meet you and your Realtor at the inspection address. We
will compete some paperwork and then I will take a few minutes to describe how
the inspection will proceed. I usually begin the inspection on the exterior of the
building, then proceed through the garage, interior rooms, attic spaces,
basement or crawlspace, and then finish up with the mechanical systems
(plumbing, heating , electrical, etc.) You are more than welcome to follow
along and observe during the inspection. However, for reasons of safety, I will
ask you to not climb any ladders or approach any exposed electrical
components. If you do not want to follow along I can supply you with a tape
measure and writing materials so that you can measure the living space, as
well as sample inspection reports so that you can familiarize yourself with the
format of your own report. At the conclusion of the inspection I will review my
findings with you and answer any questions you might have.

How long does the inspection take?
The length of time it takes to perform your inspection will depend on a number
of factors, such as the size and age of the home, whether there is a crawlspace
or detached garage, as well as if you are having any optional inspections done
such as those performed on a swimming pool or spa, or an outbuilding. On
average, an inspection on a 2,000 square foot home with a full basement and
an attached garage will take from 3 to 4 hours, and the preparation of your
reports will take an additional 6 to 8 hours. Because I do not inspect more than
one property a day you can be sure that your potential home will have my
undivided attention.

When can I expect to receive my report?
In most cases your report will be ready within 24 hours of the end of the
inspection.

What kind of report do you provide and can I see a sample report?
You will actually be receiving two separate reports. One is a narrative report
that discusses the inspection findings in great detail, and includes general
information, observations and improvement recommendations, as well as
photos of areas of concern. The other report is a summary report that
includes only a brief listing of the items that require repair, monitoring or
evaluation by a specialist. If you would like to see samples of both the
narrative and summary reports please click here for more information.

I work in the building trades. Why can't I do my own inspection and
save myself some money?
You might be the handiest person on earth, but there is no substitute for the
training and experience that a licensed, certified professional home inspector
can provide. Professional home inspectors possess skills unique to their
profession. Even most people who work in the building trades do not posses
the skills of a trained and licensed Professional Real Estate Inspector.
Inspectors are trained on all of the structural, electrical and mechanical
systems for a structure. The inspector understands how the homes systems
and components work in conjunction with one another and is uniquely qualified
to interpret their findings in such a way as to reveal the true conditions of a
property. Professional Inspectors are not emotionally attached to the
transaction or the property, and are able to maintain their objectivity in a way
that the potential buyer may not be able to. When you consider that the cost
of a home inspection by a licensed, certified professional is but a small fraction
of the price of a home in today’s market, and that you are making what may be
the most expensive purchase of your life, you owe it to yourself to have the
home inspected by a professional. Also, a home inspection report prepared by
a licensed and certified professional inspector carries much more weight when
negotiating with the seller over conditions you want addressed before closing.

What if I have a question about my report?
It is unavoidable that a report of this nature contains some technical terms. A
day or two after receiving your report I will call you so that we can go over the
report together, put the report findings into perspective, and answer any
questions you may have. I will take as much time as you need to ensure that
you fully understand all aspects of your report, because if you don't, then I
haven't done my job properly and you have wasted your money. Unlimited
phone consultations are part of my service to you.

How quickly can you schedule my inspection?
Usually I can schedule your inspection within 48 hours of your call.