Frequently Asked Questions:
A: Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector who has been professionally trained and is experienced with the home inspection industry. The inspectors at Above All are familiar with the vast elements of home construction, proper installation of systems & components, and proper maintenance. Our representatives understand how the home's systems and components are intended to function together, as well as how and why they fail.
A: No, a professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what may need repair, replacement or recommend safety enhancements.
A: As many others say, no home is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy the house, Our inspections will let you know in advance what to expect. Often safety enhancements, minor repairs and a lot of informative information is revealed. The severity of the ‘problems’ will be will be discussed with the client so they can make an informative decision based on how to negotiate with the seller and/or to follow up with the purchase of the home.
A: It is highly recommended to have a new construction home inspected. Most buyers do not realize how important it is to have a home inspection prior to the initial closing of the new home. They see no reason for it since the county has been performing building permit inspections, many times the builder has a one year warranty on the home, and the buyers feel it will be a waste of their money. Most of the time, the deficiency lists on new construction homes are generally longer, than those on resale homes. Many times, the items noted on the report, are things the average homeowner will never know are wrong, damaged, or have been installed incorrectly. On purchasing involving hundreds of thousands of dollars, a few hundred dollars for the home inspection can save you tremendous inconvenience and offers a great piece of mind.
It is also recommended to have a 11 month warranty inspection done about ten to eleven months after escrow closes. This gives the client an updated assessment of the systems and components in the home that may be covered under a home warranty that will expire twelve months after their purchase of the home. This allows them to get the needed repairs done prior to the expiration of their warranty.
A: It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but it is recommended. Often clients will come for the end of the inspection ‘walkthrough’ for an assessment of the major findings. You will be able to accompany the inspector and ask questions directly as you learn about the condition of the home when present. You will also find the written report easier to understand if you've seen the property firsthand through the inspector’s eyes.
A: The average home inspection takes 2 ½ to 3 hours depending on the size and age of the home. Larger homes, extra mechanical components, a home in poor condition, additional services ETC can take extra time to inspect.
Q: What other services are recommended in addition to a home inspection?
A: We offer a variety of services and packages. We recommend you look at the services page and discuss with your home inspector what is appropriate for your situation. If there is a pool / spa present it is always recommended to have them inspected. We also recommend with older homes to perform a permit background check.
An energy audit can often save hundreds of dollars for homeowners by improving the efficiency of their home.