Home Inspections Explained

What is a General Real Estate Inspection?

A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive assessment of a home’s major systems including; Foundation, Structure, Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Appliances and Drainage to:

  • Reveal functional defects
  • Inform the client of any health or safety hazards
  • Inform client of expected general maintenance
  • Make recommendations for remediation

The Home Inspection Process

A home inspection generally takes around 3 hours depending on the size of the house, type of foundation and issues found. During the assessment the home inspector usually examines the following:

Exterior components: The inspector checks everything from the quality of materials used to build the walls to the vegetation and grading surrounding the home. Special attention is given to the spacing of stairway/balcony railings and the leveling of the sidewalks & driveways which could become potential safety hazards.

Roof: The integrity of the roof is checked for any cracks and storm damage. Home inspectors often make use of telescopic ladders and high traction roof boots to have a thorough look at the roof.

Structural components: Apart from walls, floors and ceilings, the foundation and framework are also assessed thoroughly for defects and damages using a zip level to check elevations at corners.

Electrical system: AFCI and GFCI outlet protection devices are checked with AFCI/GFCI testers to ensure that the circuits are completely safe. Simple electrical testers and voltage indicators are also used to check the proper functioning of the electrical circuit. Electrical appliances that come with the purchase are also inspected.

Insulation: The quality of insulation directly impacts your electricity cost. So, inspectors pay extra attention to the insulation and ventilation of the attic and might recommend installation of additional insulation, if needed.

Windows: Windows play a significant role in maintaining good ventilation and fire safety.

Plumbing: The home inspector checks for leaks wherever water runs in the house. Thus, tools like moisture meters and infrared thermal imaging cameras are used to get a more accurate assessment. Smooth function of fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms are tested. And, pipes are checked for anti-freeze protection.

Not everything on a property is checked under a basic home inspection which looks at features applicable to all homes. Common high value add-ons include:

  • Termite/WDI: $95- $150
  • Septic: $95
  • Water Testing: $200 (includes delivering samples to lab and paying lab fees)
  • Pool and Spa Inspection: $75
  • Foundation Elevation Report: $150

A home inspection give you a clear idea of what you are investing your money on. And, the report can come in handy when you are negotiating the price of your property with the seller. Moreover, a detailed report of the inspection comes with vital recommendations which can transform any building into a safe haven for you.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a home inspection?

Home inspection is the thorough assessment of the physical structure and the mechanical system of a house. The non-invasive inspection aims to detect various defects and damages in a house, especially, before you invest your money on it. 

How much does a home inspection cost?

The cost of home inspections depend on the expertise of the home inspector and the size of the house. Usually, it can cost you $300 to $500 to get a house inspected by a seasoned expert. The price might be higher if you want to opt for some special inspections in addition to the standard ones. However, it is money well spent. 

What is checked during a home inspection?

During a home inspection the inspector makes use of tools, technology and his expertise to assess: 

  • The structural integrity which includes the framework and foundation
  • Exterior components including sidewalks, driveways and vegetation
  • Roofing 
  • Electrical system 
  • Functioning of Vital electrical appliances 
  • Plumbing 
  • Insulation 
  • Ventilation 
  • Pest infestation 
  •  Gas leaks

What to look for when hiring a home inspector?

The most important things to look for while hiring a home inspector are: 

  • A valid license from the State or Province 
  • Certification from a professional organization like The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
  • Years of experience 
  • Online reviews 
  • A portfolio of sample inspection reports 

 

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6 Secrets Revealed by Thermal Imaging Home Inspections

 

With state-of-the-art technology at our disposal, the overwhelming journey of buying a dream home can be a bit easier. One such technology is thermal imaging home inspections.

Every object that has a temperature radiates infrared light, which is invisible to our naked eyes. This is when thermal imaging comes to play! Thermal imaging home inspections employ thermographic cameras to convert invisible infrared light into visible images. The resulting image depicts hot surfaces in a bright glowing hue of orange and cold surfaces in purple or blue.

This smart technology reveals the secrets of a property that our unaided eyes fail to see.

Wondering what those secrets are? Here are the Top 6 Secrets that’ll surprise you!

  1. Dampness Detection

Moisture can penetrate into the ceiling, walls, and floor of a house due to:

  • Cracked or blocked pipes
  • Leaky window frames
  • Roofing failure
  • Building materials of inferior quality
  • Rainwater retention

Thermal imaging reveals moisture damage by swiftly detecting the difference in temperature between a damp and dry area on the surfaces of walls, ceilings, or floors.

  1. Leaky plumbing

Sleek fixtures and fancy Jacuzzis often take the buyer’s attention away from a faulty plumbing system hiding underneath. But, our thermographic cameras cannot be fooled! Just a few moments into an inspection gives us a clear picture of potential leaks and cracks. We call it the “call the plumber” alarm.

  1. Pest infestation

Believe it or not, these tiny buggers release a lot of heat while chomping ferociously on the wood of your potential or existing home. We perform Thermal imaging home inspection to detect heat anomalies. Thermal imaging does not replace a full Termite/WDI inspection, but can help us see things we might otherwise miss.

  1. Faulty insulation

Limiting air loss and the influx of hot air into your cool home can save you a massive amount of money. With energy costs shooting through the roof, a well-insulated home is the need of the hour.  Thermal imaging is the perfect tool to detect poor insulation and get it fixed immediately.

  1. Moisture behind stucco

An evil moisture trapping wall can easily hide behind the beautiful veil of stucco. This can eventually lead to:

  • Molds which release allergens
  • Crumbling of the stucco
  • A persistently warm/cold interior
  • An array of health complications

Our thermal image scans can readily detect the hidden moisture damage and propel you towards the right course of action.

  1. Overcurrentthermal imaging on microwave

As the name suggests, an excess of current in the electrical circuits of a home or office give rise to the detrimental situation of overcurrent. Overcurrent can cause:

  • Irreparable damage to electrical appliances
  • Dangerous fires​

An excessive current also radiates a lot of heat, which is easily detected by Infrared thermal imaging. It is the finest tool to diagnose overcurrent in its infant stages before it can swell into a disaster.

We have adopted thermal imaging as an indispensible strategy in our home inspection process. It can not only help buyers find their perfect dream home but also help sellers to frame a flawless restoration plan. Bonus: we charge you no additional fee for thermal imaging! Give us a call to schedule a home inspection right away.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is thermal imaging in home inspections?

Objects release heat (a lot or a little) in the form of infrared radiation. Thermal imaging uses thermographic cameras to detect invisible infrared radiation and converts it into a visible image. The resulting image depicts the temperature differences on the surface of walls, ceilings, and floors for experts to diagnose and fix.

  1. How much does thermal imaging cost?

The cost of home inspections with thermal imaging largely depend on:

  • The area of your home
  • Reputation of the home inspection company
  • The experience and skill of the home inspector

You can expect to pay $350+ for a home as large as 2000 square feet.

  1. Is thermal imaging for home inspections worth it?

Absolutely! Home inspections can save you from the nightmare of spending thousands of dollars to fix what seemed like a dream home in the first place. And, for those with older houses, it can help in the detection of underlying issues that can cost thousands in repairs if left unaddressed.

  1. What is an infrared home inspection?

Infrared home inspection makes use of modern technology and gadgets like thermographic camera to show homeowners or aspiring homeowners what issues are hiding behind the walls, ceilings, and floors of their homes.  The image scans can reveal issues like:

  • Dampness
  • Pests
  • Leaks and cracks
  • Faulty electrical circuits

 

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We offer a full scope of Residential, Commercial and New Construction services to South Texas including; Brenham TX, La Grange, El Campo, Sealy, Schulenburg, Rosenburg, Wallis, Bastrop, Bay City, Fulshear, Hempstead, Needville, Fayettville, Hallettsville, Columbus, New Ulm, Wharton, Flatonia, Giddings, Shiner, Edna, Yoakum, Cypress, Round Top, Gonzales, Hockley, Magnolia, Sugar Land

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