- What should I look for when choosing a home inspection company?
When choosing an inspection company first check with The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) or The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). After that call The Better Business Bureau. Also your real estate agent is a good source for an inspector. They know the inspector and what kind of work the inspector does.
- My new home isn't built yet. How can HomeSure help me insure the home is built correctly?
We start at the footing and foundation. Just before the basement floor is poured we want to go in and check the footings, foundation walls and the plumbing below the cement floor. The second stage in the pre drywall. Just before they put in the insulation package and the drywall, we go in and make sure the studs are correct, the windows are hung correct, the plumbing lines, the electrical lines, the duct work, the trusses and joist are correct. Once the drywall is in we can't see what is happening with the house. This is probably the most important inspection on a new house. The final walk through we go in and make sure everything is connected correctly, the drywall was hung properly, the doors and windows work properly, the grade is complete and everything is as it should be We look for the major problems and let you do the nit pick items.
- I'm building a new home. What are the problems that are sometimes found that will justify the expense of a home inspection?
A foundation inspection find problems in the very first stage of a new home. This is where we check the plumbing which is under the basement floor is correct,the drainage system that goes around the perimeter of the house is installed properly, the footings are poured correctly and the foundation walls are correct. A pre drywall inspection tells us if everything before the drywall is put up is done correctly. The pre drywall inspection is the most important inspection you can have as once the walls are put in, we cannot find any problems inside them. The final walk through tells you what the builder has not completed properly inside and outside of the house.
- My builder says I don't need a home inspection. What do you think?
Your builder doesn't have to live in the house after he builds it. You should ask your agent to negotiate an independent home inspection into the contract of sale. The builder's sales representatives can also help you write a home inspection clause into the contract. If your contract doesn't provide for you to have an independent home inspetion it is still a good idea to push for it but remember, if it's not in writing, the builder doesn't have to allow it.
- How do I know if I should get a radon test?
Every home has potential for high radon levels. It occurs randomly and levels can be very low in one home and very high in the home right next door. The only way to know if you have high radon levels is to test. You can get more information on radon from www.epa.gov or www.neha.org.
- How long does it take to get the results of a radon test?
The test usually takes 48 hours and the results are delivered either the same day the test kit is picked up or the following business morning.
- Why is HomeSure better than the next company?
HomeSure has been in business for 16 years and is localy owned. We take great pride in our services. We have 7 full time inspectors and work 7 days a week. If we missed something we are there for you. We are also there for any questions you might have later if you want to make a change to your home or have questions about what is going on with the house.
- I had a home inspection. I found a problem. What should I do?
You should discuss your options with your real estate agent. Depending on the circumstances, he/she may counsel you in several ways. You may ask the seller for repairs, ask to escrow money at settlement to cover certain repairs or you may decide to make the repairs yourself. According to most real estate sales agreements, the property must be delivered in "substantially the same condition as existed on the date of contract acceptance" and "mechanical systems and related equipment, appliances and smoke detector(s) ... shall be in working condition". The seller is only required to make all the mechanical systems work and is not necessarly required to perform all repairs that you may want to ask for. If the repairs you request are not required by the contract of sale, the seller may refuse. Your agent is the best person to help you decide how to handle problems discovered in the home inspection. You home inspector can advise you and your agent regarding the cost of repairs and give you perspective regarding the extent of damage.
- The home seller will not allow a contingency on the sale of the property. What do you recommend?
You can have a home inspection without a home inspection contigency. The home inspection would be for informational purposes only. The results of the inspection could not be used to negotiate the terms of your sales contract but you will gain valuable insight about the home you are purchasing.
- I've had an inspection. Who do you recommend to repair the problems?
We have a contractors list you can use for referrals. We have no affiliation with the contractors, they are just companys which have been referred to us by other homeowners. If we receive a complaint against one of the contractors we take them off of our list as we know how important your home is to you and how expensive repairs and home improvements are.