Inspection Services

Termites live in the soil and eat wood, and they can do serious damage to a home’s framing before anyone notices. Checking for them before you buy is important.

• Signs of activity: Evidence that termites are in the home now, or have been in the past.
• Existing damage: Framing that has already been eaten away and could become a structural problem.
• Lender requirements: Many lenders require a termite inspection, so it is worth booking with your home inspection.

The sewer line is one of the most underappreciated parts of a home, until it breaks. Because it cannot be seen from above, we run a special camera from the house to the city main.

• Blockages: Debris, tree roots and other obstructions, found before they cause a backup or a sewage leak.
• Negotiating repairs: Problems found during the inspection period can go to the seller instead of coming out of your pocket after closing.
• What it can save: Clearing a line typically costs $150 to $200. Replacing one runs $5,000 to $12,000.

We strongly recommend a sewer scope on any home over 20 years old.

Most homes built before 1960 sit on a crawl space, with the house held about 2 feet off the ground by a stem wall or piers. It makes plumbing and repairs easier to reach, but most owners never look inside.

• Structure: The piers and subflooring that hold the home up.
• Plumbing and wiring: The pipes and wiring that run underneath the house.
• Moisture and pests: Mildew and pests that go unnoticed when nobody looks.

If you live in the country, your water does not come from the city or go back to it. Testing the well and septic systems before you move in is critical.

• Water supply: Enough pressure and volume to run every fixture at once, with well equipment in good working order and set up to survive a hard freeze.
• Water quality: Testing for E. coli and total coliform bacteria. Lead, nitrates and nitrites can be added for an additional fee.
• Septic function: We run water for an hour to check for backups, sewer odor and alarms.

We do not inspect the inside of septic tanks. That needs the tank pumped by a septic company.

A home inspection is designed to check the home itself. Many properties also come with other buildings, and we can inspect those for an additional fee.

• Shops and barns: Workshops, barns and storage buildings on the property.
• Guest quarters: Mother-in-law apartments and other separate living spaces.
• One visit: Added to your home inspection, so the whole property is looked at in a single trip.

A home inspection is visual, but there are ways to see through the wall to an extent. A thermal camera shows temperature differences that point to problems you cannot see.

• Moisture: Leaks and moisture in walls, ceilings and floors that can lead to mold and structural damage.
• Heat loss: Missing insulation and air leaks around windows and doors that raise utility bills.
• Electrical hot spots: Overheating wiring, breakers and panels that can become a fire risk.

A pool in the backyard will make you the neighborhood favorite, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. There are required safety features and regulations you may not know about.

• Safety features: Fencing, drain systems and the other items that keep your family safe.
• Electrical: The electrical that serves the pool and spa.
• Function: We make sure the pool is working properly before it becomes yours.

A sprinkler system is a great way to keep the yard looking good. They are also prone to problems and need maintenance to keep working correctly.

• Zones: Each zone is run to confirm it comes on and reaches its area.
• Heads and lines: Broken or misaligned heads and visible leaks.
• Ready to go: You know what needs attention before your first season in the home.

Some homes were built with the HVAC ducts in the floor instead of the attic. Ducts in the slab are more prone to problems, so we scope them with a camera.

• Efficiency: Leaks and damage over time lead to inefficient heating and cooling, and rooms that are too hot or too cold.
• Air quality: Damaged ducts let dust, allergens and other pollutants into the home.
• Water and mold: Water getting into a damaged duct can lead to mold growth or even structural damage.