| 1. When do I need a home inspection? |
| 2. What is a Home Inspector? |
| 3. Are Home Inspectors licensed in Virginia? |
| 4. What does the Home Inspector look at? |
| 5. Will the Home Inspector tell me if I'm paying too much for the home? |
| 6. Does the Home Inspector verify that the house meets "Code"? |
| 7. What repairs will the inspector make? |
| 8. Who should attend the inspection? |
| 9. What safety precautions will I be asked to follow during the inspection? |
| 10. Is there a contract documenting what will be inspected? |
| 11. When will I get my inspection report? |
| 12. Does the inspection report mean you guarantee the home? |
| 13. How much will the Home Inspection cost? |
| 14. How long will the inspection take? |
| 15. How do I pay for the inspection? |
|
| 1. When do I need a home inspection? |
There are
several answers to this question. You're probably reading this because
you're in the market for an inspector to evaluate a home on which you have made
an offer. There are, however, frequently overlooked times an inspector will be
an important resource, such as:
(1) To the seller of a home prior to listing. Even though the owner may have
lived in their home for many years, few do more than replace or repairs items
that fail and therefore don't really understand the real condition of their
home. The home inspection contracted by a prospective buyer can be a
stressful time if the seller isn't fully aware of their home's condition.
(2) To the owner of a new home approaching its one-year warranty point. Many new
home contracts provide the buyer with an opportunity to have the builder correct
specific items the owner has found after living in the home. A home
inspection will help uncover items that should be repaired under the new-home
contract, but aren't apparent to the average home-owner.
(3) To the home-owner who has been in their home for several years. Many of the
systems that make up the home have a limited life-expectancy and will require
repair or replacement at some point. The Home Inspector can provide the
home-owner with an evaluation of the system's current condition and whether or
not repairs are needed immediately or if there would be an economic advantage to
performing upgrades to home systems. This inspection can provide the owner
with information that will help them budget for future maintenance items.
(4) To the buyer of a home under construction or newly completed. There are
several opportunities for contract-defined inspections by the buyer of a home
under construction. The participation of a Home Inspector can be most
helpful in identifying potential problems while they are still easily fixed and
will provide independent documentation. Similarly, the buyer of a new home
who did not participate in the construction phase can have the Home Inspector
ensure that all systems were installed properly and are fully operational.
 |
| 2. What is a Home Inspector? |
Home Inspectors come from a very wide variety of backgrounds and experience
levels. Because of the nature of the profession, Home Inspectors are
termed "professional generalists" which means they have a very broad
understanding of the systems comprising the home and are trained to recognize
and evaluate the severity of problems with any of those systems. When
selecting your inspector, look carefully at their background, formal training,
written standards of practice that are followed to ensure a complete inspection,
adherence to a written code of ethics and membership in a professional association
that requires continuing education as a prerequisite for annual membership
renewal. The home inspector should be someone you can communicate with easily
and feel comfortable with his or her explanations.
|
| 3. Are Home Inspectors licensed? |
The Commonwealth of Virginia does not presently have a licensure process for
the Home Inspection profession although a voluntary certification was initiated in 2003. Eagle Inspection Services, LLC requires its Inspectors to: (1) have completed a minimum of
80 hours of classroom instruction through a recognized and licensed training institution; (2) have successfully passed the
National Home Inspector Examination administered by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors; (3) have successfully passed the Standards and Ethics examination; (4) have a
continuing education plan; (5) be actively pursuing certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia; and (6) be a member in good standing of a recognized
national professional Home Inspector association.
|
| 4. What does the Home Inspector look at? |
The pre-purchase home inspection provides the prospective buyer with a
non-destructive/non-invasive visual and operational assessment of the condition of the systems that make up the
home on the day of inspection. These are:
(1) Structure - The foundation, floors, framework, chimney. This will include the inspector
entering the crawlspace, basement and attic as applicable and accessible.
(2) Electrical - Service line, capacities (volts/amps), main breaker, fuse/breaker box
(location and internal condition), sub-panels (location and internal condition), wiring
installation, electrical distribution, operate GFCI/AFCI's, switches and outlets, light
fixtures.
(3) Plumbing - The condition of the water supply and waste removal systems including evidence
of leaks, proper venting. All water fixtures and drains will be operated
and inspected.
(4) Heating - Operational check and visual inspection of the primary heating system.
(5) Air Conditioning - Operational check and visual inspection of the central AC system
(weather permitting - the outside temperature must be above 65 degrees F)
(6) Exterior - Porches, decks, grounds, sidewalks, driveway, windows, doors.
(7) Roof - Covering material, gutters, downspouts, flashings.
(8) Interior - Cracks, water stains, fit of windows and doors, level and solid floors.
It is important to note that furnishings, rugs, personal property will not be moved by the Inspector.
If any of these block access to an item required to be inspected, the fact that
the item was inaccessible will be noted in the Inspection Report.
For a more detailed explanation of the components of the Home Inspection, please follow
this link: Standards of Practice
|
| 5. Will the Home Inspector tell me if I'm paying too much for the home? |
No - The Home Inspector's purpose is to tell you if the various systems
comprising the home are operating properly. The value of the home is a personal and very subjective decision that only you can answer. The
Home Inspector is not a real estate appraiser and should refrain from offering
opinions on the relative value of the home. Your best advisor on this
matter is your Real Estate Professional.
Similarly, a home does not pass or fail a Home Inspection. Your Home
Inspector provides you with an objective report of the deficiencies and positive
points of the home. Only you know whether or not the items discovered in
the inspection represent render the home unsuitable for your needs.
|
| 6. Does the Home Inspector verify that the house meets "Code"? |
The home inspection is not a "code check". Building codes are locally adopted standards that are verified by representatives of the locality during and following new construction and renovations. Most codes merely ask if a system or component is installed properly or exists. The Home Inspector is verifying the proper operation of the system and that any changes or modifications made subsequent to the code inspection do not create a safety hazard or impede the proper operation of the component. Also, codes pertain to the building at the time of construction or renovation and change frequently. What was "to code" in 1980 may not pass a code inspection today, but that does not mean the structure is unsafe or requires correction. Your Home Inspector can answer any questions you may have on this subject.
|
| 7. What repairs will the inspector make? |
The short answer is - none. Home Inspectors do not represent themselves as experts in any specific field though their background may include licensure or certification as a contractor. The Home Inspector is a neutral party whose task it is to spend 2 to 4 (or more) hours, typically, in a home and identify items in need of repair or replacement and safety concerns. These items will come with a recommendation to seek the assistance of a duly qualified professional in the area of concern. The Standards of Ethics of the major Home Inspector associations do not allow inspectors to offer their services to repair any of the defects they may find. Eagle Inspection Services, LLC does not recommend specific contractors to their clients, rather, we will refer you to your Real Estate Professional for their advice.
|
| 8. Who should attend the inspection? |
Eagle Inspection Services, LLC strongly recommends that the prospective home buyer/s and their Real Estate Professional be present for the inspection. The seller and their Realtor are also welcome to participate in the inspection. The inspection should be viewed as an opportunity to learn about the home in detail from the Home Inspector.
|
| 9. What safety precautions will I be asked to follow during the inspection? |
Although we will enter all accessible areas of the home and walk (if deemed safe by the Inspector) the roof to perform the inspection, our policy requires that we ask that the buyer and Realtor not enter any space requiring the use of a ladder or area not considered normally accessible (crawlspaces, attics, roofs). The Inspector will open electrical panels - we ask that you stand back while this potentially hazardous inspection is conducted. In general, please follow the Inspector's guidance during the inspection - their concern is for the safety of all concerned.
|
| 10. Is there a contract documenting what will be inspected? |
Yes - Before the inspection begins, you will be asked to sign an Inspection Agreement which will clearly document what will and will not be inspected as well as the legal obligations and limitations of both parties to the inspection. We will make every effort to ensure you have the Agreement prior to meeting for the inspection (e-mail or fax) and encourage you to review it with your Realtor or attorney. Your Inspector will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the contract and its provisions. You Inspector will be authorized to sign the contract for Eagle Inspection Services, LLC.
|
| 11. When will I get my inspection report? |
Eagle Inspection Services, LLC proudly uses the HomeGauge® Home Inspection Reporting System, a software system designed specifically to provide a clear and concise description of the condition of the home. Using this system, your Inspector will provide you with a complete written inspection report via a link to this website within a day of the inspection or, if the report is time-critical, on-site a short time after completing the physical inspection of the home. If you have any questions later, your Inspector can be contacted via any of the means listed on the report. The inspection report is for your use only, though you can give copies to others at your discretion.
|
| 12. Does the inspection report mean you guarantee the home? |
No - The Home Inspection is an assessment of the visible condition of the home on the day of the inspection and we offer no warranty or guarantee covering any defects found subsequent to the inspection. If you have any questions concerning something found after the inspection, please contact us as soon as possible so we may help you resolve the issue. Many factors may prevent the detection of underlying problems. Remember that your Inspector is a "generalist" who is trained to detect and evaluate visible defects. He or she is not a professional contractor or engineer. Should you desire the inspection to be technically exhaustive, we will be happy to assist you in contacting the appropriate professionals. Bear in mind that the cost for such an inspection may be in the thousands of dollars and may take several weeks to complete.
|
| 13. How much will the Home Inspection cost? |
The cost of the Home Inspection will depend on the property itself. When we quote a price for the inspection, we will take into account the size and age of the home (older homes require additional inspection time), the offering sales price, the type of foundation (accessible crawlspaces will be entered and take additional time), any outbuildings you desire to be inspected, etc. Additional items such as a Radon or water test will be an additional cost. The price we quote in the Inspection Agreement is our commitment to you.
|
| 14. How long will the inspection take? |
A good rule of thumb is that a Home Inspection will take 2 - 3 hours based on a 5 - 10 year old 1200 - 1600 square foot home. Generating and reviewing the report on-site will add another 45 - 60 minutes. Older, larger, more complex homes will generally take longer as will homes built on an accessible crawlspace.
|
| 15. How do I pay for the inspection? |
The Inspection Agreement will document the cost of the inspection and the invoice will accompany the Inspection Report. Payment in full is expected upon completion of the Inspection and will be accepted by your Inspector via cash, check or money order.
|
