Our Services
New Home Inspections
As every experienced home inspector can attest, no new home is totally free of defects, regardless of the quality of construction or the integrity of the builder. Some defects only become known years later, when the property is being sold, and a home inspector finally takes a look. By then the guaranty has expired, and the seller is stuck with the repair costs.
The list of potential problems to be found in new homes is extensive and includes such items as faulty roof installation, improper fireplace construction, errors in electrical wiring, excessive water pressure, fire safety violations, unsafe venting of heater exhaust, leaking drains, poor site drainage, hot water piping connected to the toilet (can you imagine a steaming bowl?), etc, etc. In one infamous case, a new home was built and approved on a concrete slab without a perimeter foundation. Obviously, we're not likely to find a major list like this in any particular new home, but every new structure contains a few undisclosed defects, sometimes minor, sometimes not.
New homes are often presumed to be exempt from human error. Consequently, many close escrow without the benefit of a final examination. Considering the size of the investment, assumptions about quality of workmanship can be financially fatal
Previously-Owned Home Inspections
Every prospective homeowner is advised to have thorough home inspections done by professionals before purchasing a home. A home inspection can protect you from incurring unexpected costs after completing the purchase. Also, by identifying any problems up front you can often convince the seller to either fix the problems or reimburse the buyer for the cost of repairs before the purchase is completed.
The most common inspections are an overall home inspection, which evaluates the home's structural and mechanical condition, and a pest inspection, which looks for pest and moisture damage. However, these reports may highlight issues which should be investigated by a specialized professional (e.g. roofer or plumber).
Professional Mold Inspections
Are you buying or selling a home? Are there water marks on you ceiling? Do you need a professional mold inspection? When you suspect mold, step #1 is a professional mold assessment: surveying moisture levels of walls, ceilings and floors, locating visible mold growth, and testing the air for the quantity and variety of mold spores. Determining the variety of mold is important because some types of mold are considered indicators of water damage and are potential health hazards. A professional mold assessment is your first step towards a healthy indoor environment.
