Frequently Asked Questions about home inspections
Can a home Inspection fail?
Do you recommend contractors, give bids on repairs or do repairs yourself?
For the buyer, a home inspection is
For the seller, an inspection will
How long does a home inspection take?
Should I be present when the inspection takes place?
What does a home inspection cover?
What is a Home Inspector required to inspect?
What is Radon?
What is the fee for an inspection?
When are you able to perform an inspection?
When can I expect the completed report?
Who pays for the repairs that you find in your report?
Will you tell me whether or not I should buy the home?
Can a home Inspection fail?
No. There is no such thing as a perfect house, even with newer homes. All homes have areas of concern but everything can be repaired. It’s our job to point them out to you so you can make an informed decision.Do you recommend contractors, give bids on repairs or do repairs yourself?
No and you should be wary of any home inspector who does. Full Scope Home Inspection adheres strictly to the standards of practice and code of ethics set forth by ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors). A fair and unbiased inspection is the result.
For the buyer, a home inspection is
For the buyer, a home inspection is an opportunity to discover the true condition of the property, before you own it! A good inspector can save you from making a costly mistake, or can help give you confidence in the decision to invest. With an idea of what problems may arise and when they may present themselves, the buyer can plan for the future. In addition to the general condition of the property, safety concerns will also be addressed. Safety is of the utmost importance to many families and a home inspection can reveal potentially dangerous situations. Most new homes even have several defects, often costly ones.For the seller, an inspection will
For the seller, an inspection will identify any potential problems prior to listing the property. This will allow the seller to make necessary repairs in advance, which may help in receiving full market value for the house. A pre-sale inspection can also help to avoid delays in closing, since most buyers will want an inspection, and may want defective items fixed. A pre-sale inspection may also aid you and your real estate agent in minimizing liability and complying with state law, by disclosing defects.How long does a home inspection take?
A typical home inspection averages between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Size, age and conditions found are are some of the factors in determining the length of the inspection. Older homes that have not been well maintained will take longer than newer homes that have. Regardless, we'll be there until it's completed.Should I be present when the inspection takes place?
Absolutely! We strongly encourage you and your spouse/partner to attend the inspection. When the inspection is complete we’ll go over the findings and we will be more than happy to address any questions, issues or concerns you may have. In the case of a buyers inspection I do ask that you make other arrangements for your children as they can be a distraction both to the inspector and yourself as well as impose on the home owner.What does a home inspection cover?
The inspection and report will cover components and areas to include the exterior, foundation, garage, water heater, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, roof, chimney, electrical, living areas, laundry, stairs, hallway, heating and cooling, plumbing, attic, driveways, walkways, decks, patios, drainage and more.What is Radon?
What is Radon? How do I know if it in my home? And what do I do if there is? There are some commonly asked questions of me by clients. Radon is a natural occurring radioactive substance produced by the break down of Radium and Uranium in the earth. It exists everywhere, but usually in very small amounts, it is dissipated into the air. In the home however, radon levels can be elevated based on a number of variables. Basements are usually the most concentrated areas for high levels of radon. The gases produced by the radioactive decay escape from the ground into the basement through slab cracks and related openings.It is a fact that radon is the 2nd highest cause of lung cancer. The higher the concentration and long the exposure, coupled with other factors like age, immune strength and smoking, all increase the risk for serious illness. Radon is measured in " picocuries " or pCi/L. The EPA has established that a reading under 4 pCi/L is an acceptable range. The simplest way to find out if you have high levels of radon in your home is to have a 48 hour continuous monitor test performed. This machine will take hourly readings of radon levels and determine and average level of pCi/L. Test are relatively inexpensive (around $129) and require only that all windows and doors are kept closed, except for normal entry and exit for the 48 hour period in addition to a 12 hour ramp up peroid prior to testing.
OK... so lets say that the news was not so great and you have a high reading. There is a relatively simple process to mitigate. A mitigation system is essentially a giant straw that sucks the gasses out of the ground beneath the slab. A hole is made in the slab and a fan powered tube is installed that carries the radon gases up through the roof and into the atmosphere. It is important to note that there is a lot more information about radon than could possibly be put in this article --including controversial theories and studies from different organizations. The thing to remember is this: only you can decide what level of risk you are comfortable with. Educate yourself on the facts and be warned of the possibilities. If you want to learn more about this topic, call the EPA’s hotline at 1-800-SOS-RADON. They can answer your questions or send you more information including a list of radon contractors.
What is the fee for an inspection?
The fee for a home inspection, depends on a number of factors. Size, age, components of the home. After a few brief questions over the phone we will be able to quote you our feeWhen are you able to perform an inspection?
Due to the busy schedules of realtors, clients, sellers and buyers Full Scope Home Inspection is available all days of the week. Please be aware that an inspection must be performed during daylight hours.When can I expect the completed report?
A hard copy will be handed to you after the completion of your home inspection the same day.Who pays for the repairs that you find in your report?
This is beyond the scope of a home inspector. We will offer no opinion or advice in this matter. To remain objective and avoid a possible conflict of interest we do not involve ourselves in any aspect of the purchase decision.Will you tell me whether or not I should buy the home?
No As a home inspector we must adhere to Standards of Practice. Our job is to point out areas of concern as well as strong points of the home. The decision of whether to buy or not is strictly up to you.