FAQ’s
All your home inspection questions, answered simply.
Home Inspections
What Is A Home Inspection?
A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house. This includes everything from the roof to the lower foundation.
What Does a Home Inspection Typically Include?
Our standard home inspection basically covers the condition of the home’s heating system, central air conditioning system, interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof & exterior, attic and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and structural components.
Do I Really Need a Home Inspection?
Since home purchases are considered one of the largest investments one can make., Pro-Spect minimized any surprises and unexpected difficulties in the process. We help you to learn as much about your new home before and during the process. In fact, a home inspection may identify any major repairs or builder oversights that are needed.
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?
We charge a little more for a home inspection than most of our competition. For home inspections, our price is based on the size of the home being inspected, as well as the age. Once you factor in the quality of our inspections and reports, paying a little extra to hire us is a no-brainer. If you read through the public online reviews left by our customers (see Google and Yelp), you’ll see that we’re not just making this up. In other words, we charge more because we’re well worth it. We also guarantee our work; if our clients aren’t happy with their inspection, they don’t pay us. No fine print.
How Much Time Does a Home Inspection Take?
On average, between two and three hours. This can vary based on size, age and condition.
What Is Inspected During a Home Inspection?
Well…the house…top to bottom. Our focus is the building structure including foundation and roof structure, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, basement, crawl space, attic, installed appliances, garage, interior and exterior. The list is really just the categories and a lot goes into inspecting these systems. A home inspection is looking for safety concerns and systems that are not functioning, we are not looking for cosmetic items. Please watch this video for more on the home inspection standards of practice. InterNACHI Standards of Practice for Performing a Home Inspection.
How Will You Get Into the Home?
We’ll set up the inspection time with the listing agent or seller in most cases. We’ll get the lockbox combination from them. If it’s an electronic lockbox, no problem; we have electronic keys.
Other FAQs
Do You Offer Repair Estimates?
No, our code of ethics prohibits us from charging for repairs on houses we inspect. As you can imagine quoting for someone else’s work would be guessing and not helpful for you.
Can I Do the Inspection Myself?
The important knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector is paramount to providing a thorough home inspection. Pro-Spect is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and home safety. Pro-Spect knows how the home’s systems and components are proposed to function together as well as why they may fail in the future. Most home buyers find it hard to remain completely objective during the inspection process and may have an effect on the overall judgment. This could prove detrimental in the outcome for all parties. For accurate reports let Pro-Spect provide you with the impartial and complete inspection reports.
Is an Inspection the Same as an Appraisal?
There is a difference between an inspection and an appraisal. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. The official appraisal determines the market value. A home inspector does not pass or fail a house, but rather describes its physical condition and indicates what components and systems may need major repair or replacement.
Do You Inspect Commercial Buildings?
Yes. We offer inspections of office buildings, restaurants, churches, apartment buildings, warehouses, and other commercial buildings.
Are You Certified?
Yes, all our inspectors go through the certification process of both national associations, ASHI and InterNACHI.
Are You Licensed?
Yes, we are licensed by the state of Delaware to perform home inspections according to the Standards of Practice set by the state board.
What Is the Difference Between Licensed and Certified?
While these times are used interchangeably there is a difference. Licensing is given by our state and it would be breaking the law to perform home inspections without a license. Certification is given to inspectors who meet the guidelines and pass the education and training requirements. Certification is not required….but why would we stop at what’s required?
Can I See the Inspection Agreement Before You Do the Home Inspection?
Yes, we email the inspection agreement to our clients at the time we book the inspection, and we ask our clients to fill out the inspection agreement online ahead of time.
The Furnace or AC Is Really Old. Should I Hire a HVAC Guy to Look At It?
We typically don’t recommend hiring any other inspections right from the start; isn’t that what you’re hiring us to do? If we find a concern that we feel needs further evaluation, we’ll recommend further evaluation. We will have pictures and recommendations for you to review. As you read through our inspection report, you’ll see that we don’t leave you with a silly ‘CYA’ list of a dozen recommendations for ‘further evaluation.’ Again, isn’t that what you’re hiring us to do? There are certainly some situations where we might recommend further evaluation of a specific condition, but we don’t make those recommendations lightly. We appreciate the fact that these inspections cost a lot of time and money, so we only make those recommendations when we need to.
It Snowed! Can You Still Inspect the House?
Yes, if it is safe to drive, we can still inspect the house. There will be a few limitations on the exterior, the biggest being the roof covering. When roof coverings are buried in snow, they can’t be walked or visually inspected. It can be more work for us to inspect houses when there’s snow on the ground, but it’s OK. We don’t charge any more for the inspection when we have to trudge through the snow.
Will You Inspect Geothermal Heating Systems?
Yes and No. We’ll check for the basic operation of the system, but that’s all. Much of the geothermal systems are installed underground and are not visible. To anyone buying a home with geothermal, it is wise and we recommend an inspection by an HVAC company who specializes in geothermal.
Will You Get on the Roof?
As long as we can safely do it, yes. We carry big extension ladders on our trucks for inspecting two-story roofs. Inspecting the roof is a crucial portion of our home inspection.
Can I Be There for the Inspection?
Definitely. We encourage our clients to attend the entire inspection, if possible. It is not required to be present but the inspection is the longest time you will be in the house before settlement. So come with questions and our inspector will be happy to let you borrow a measuring tape.
What Time Should I Meet You?
See above. We’d love to have you there for the entire inspection, if you have the time.
When Will I Receive the Home Inspection Report?
We’ll email a link to the home inspection report the same day.
Can My Dad Come to the Inspection?
Sure, but he has to let us do most of the talking and explaining. No chest puffing allowed.
Inside the Home
Do You Offer Mold Testing?
Yes, we offer mold testing. It takes two to three days to get the results. A mold test will identify what types of mold were present and the spore count at the exact moment in time that we took the test, and in that exact location. It does NOT say that mold is harmful or if there is a harmful level of mold present. A small percentage of the population has a severe reaction to certain types of mold but most people have no reaction at all. There are no EPA guidelines for the presence and levels of mold.
What if Mold Is Present?
Have it removed. More importantly, fix the conditions that are causing the mold. If you can see mold, you have a moisture problem. A large portion of our home inspections are focused on looking for moisture problems.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless so you can’t see it or smell it. The average indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L and 0.4 pCi/L. The EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L. For more information click the link below for EPA’s Home Buyers and Seller’s Guide to Radon https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/hmbuygud.pdf
Should I Test for Radon?
EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes (below the third floor) for radon. You cannot predict results and should not rely on state, local or neighborhood test results as every house is different and will have different results. Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon levels. There are no immediate symptoms that will alert you to the presence of radon. The EPA, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, and National Safety Council recommend testing your home for radon because testing is the only way to know your home’s radon levels. It takes years of exposure before any problems surface. EPA recommends testing with each purchase and/or every 2 years.
What Homes Have Radon?
Every home has some radon. Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels.
Are You Licensed?
Yes, we are licensed by the state of Delaware to perform home inspections according to the Standards of Practice set by the state board.
What Is the Difference Between Licensed and Certified?
While these terms are used interchangeably there is a difference. Licensing is given by our state and it would be breaking the law to perform home inspections without a license. Certification is given to inspectors who meet the guidelines and pass the education and training requirements. Certification is not required….but why would we stop at what’s required?
