Below are many Inspection Question & Answers for your review and knowledge. Simply click on any of the links below to go directly to the question and answer.

Q-U-E-S-T-I-O-N-S

1) What is a home inspection?

2) Why is a home inspection important?

3) What does a home inspection include and exclude?

4) Do new homes need to be inspected?

5) What if the report reveals problems?

6) Can't I do the inspection myself?

7) Should I attend the home inspection?

8) What will it cost?

9) How much time does a home inspection take?

10) When and how should I schedule an inspection?

11) What if there is mold found during the home inspection?

12) What if there is lead or asbestos present in the home?

13) What is radon gas?

14) What if snow restricts the access and view of the roof during the inspection?

15) If it's too cold to operate and test the A/C, what can I do?

16) Should the seller be at the home inspection?

17) How soon can I get my home inspection report?

18) When is payment due for the home inspection?

19) Who receives the home inspection report?

A-N-S-W-E-R-S

1) What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual evaluation and a written report of the condition of structural and mechanical components that are readily accessible in the home. The inspection report will indicated what items need replacement now, in the near future, or present safety hazards. The inspection will empower you as an informed home buyer or seller. A professional home inspection is not a code or code compliance inspection, nor does it determine the value of the property.
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2) Why is a home inspection important?
Home inspections provide you with financial and personal safety. For home sellers, the inspection will give total disclosure to the buyer and will help in avoiding the consequential and disruptive legal confrontations after closing. Pre-sale or pre-listing home inspections will help sell the house faster; possibly eliminating the need for renegotiation (if you make corrections) after the buyer’s inspection is completed.
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3) What does a home inspection include and exclude?
We follow a strict "check list" on each inspection. Understanding accurately what a home inspection entails is essential in real estate. Your risks are drastically reduced by having an inspection performed, however there are limitations. We have the same physical limitations when it comes to a visual obstruction as you do.
-Air Conditioning Systems
-Heating Systems
-Water Heater
-Plumbing
-Interior Electrical
-Roof
-Gutters
-Downspouts
-Siding
-Doors
-Windows
-Chimneys
-Bathrooms
-Installed Appliances
-Foundation
-Patios
-Decks
-Walks
-Driveway
-Grading
-Attic
-Crawlspace
-Structure
-Insulation
-Ventilation
-Walls/Ceilings
-Floors
-Fireplace
-Garage
-Exterior Electrical
Equity Home Inspections proudly exceeds the basic standards of practice. NAHI sets the highest standards for ethics, experience, knowledge, procedures and reporting. Both these organizations assist our trade in providing a common ground approach to the home inspection process by providing ongoing programs and seminars. We at Equity Home Inspections continue to view ASHI and NAHI standards as a foundation of business ethics. We meet and exceed these standards in every aspect.
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4) Do new homes need to be inspected?
A common misconception among home buyers, sellers and real estate agents is that newly constructed buildings are free of significant defects. The consequences of this myth are many times costly and sometimes dangerous. An essential point to remember is that new buildings are designed, constructed and approved by people, all endowed with the capability to make mistakes in the course of their professional duties.
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5) What if the report reveals problems?
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6) Can't I do the inspection myself?
Of course you can DO the home inspection yourself, but should you? In the same way that a physician can discover health problems before they become apparent to you, so does a home inspector discover structural or mechanical defects. Inspecting the house yourself is the worst mistake you can make. I say this not knowing your experience level of course. If you are a general contractor, you know how to build a home, not how to inspect one. It takes years of full time experience, knowledge and practice to learn the art of home inspection.
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7) Should I attend the home inspection?
Yes. We highly encourage and request your attendance. Your attendance is a great opportunity and benefit for you. Clients who walk around the house with the inspector gain more knowledge about the property, consult with the inspector, obtain advice and ask questions. This compliments the inspection report and your understanding of its details. If you are out-of-state or have a scheduling conflict, rest assured you are getting the best inspection and report on the market.
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8) What will it cost?
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Inspect your inspector. Everybody’s first instinct when shopping is to find the least expensive. This could prove risky given the costly consequences of undisclosed defects, as you get what you pay for. In Colorado, Home Inspectors are not licensed. There is no standard for education, continued education, training, experience or code of ethics. Unfortunately for the consumer, new and or under experienced home inspectors typically attract business with lower prices.
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9) How much time does a home inspection take?
Condo and town home inspections take about 2 hours or less. A house inspection usually takes 2 ½ to 3 hours but in the past have required up to 5 hours. Obviously the age and size of the property will influence the time of the inspection. After the inspection we return to the office and spend time as needed to supply the best computerized inspection report on the market.
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10) When and how should I schedule an inspection?
As soon as you are under contract, call us to schedule the appointment. If you are planning to go under contract soon, you may call to reserve a time and date for your home inspection. Try to schedule the inspection at least two days prior to the inspection objection deadline – if possible. You will never regret getting your inspection finished prior to your deadline.
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11) What if there is mold found during the home inspection?
If there is a mold problem, there was or is an existing moisture problem. When moisture is in a warm unventilated area (such as walls), it is the perfect scenario for mold growth. When mold is seen at a property, the remedy is usually the same. Identify the moisture intrusion or leak and recommend mold remediation. Mold spores are in every house and in some cases are beneficial. However, if you are elderly, pregnant, have young children, have a compromised immune system or weakened repository condition, you may call an environmental hygienist professional to test the indoor air at the property. The information they provide should be also provided to your family physician.
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13) What is radon gas?
Although we never persuade clients to have a radon gas test performed, we would highly encourage it. Radon is an invisible and odorless radioactive gas which occurs naturally from decaying uranium underneath the earth's surface. Radon gas exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. For smokers, risk of lung cancer increases more than 800% when radon gas levels are high. For further information and details about radon gas, please click here.

14) What if snow restricts the access and view of the roof during the inspection?
Equity Home Inspections is committed to providing you with as much information as possible concerning each property. We will remove snow from a portion of the edge roof to determine the kind of roof, how many layers etc. We will note in the inspection report that the roof was not accessible or visible due to snow cover and we will offer complimentary to return to the property when the snow has melted. Thru the help of your real estate agent, you may be able to extend the inspection deadline with an “amend extend” if scheduling allows. This method of course delays the transaction and is not always possible. Check the seller’s property discloser to determine the age of the roof, if available. Of course any active roof leaks would be visible in the attic, however, many aged roof coverings do not necessarily leak, yet.
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15) If it's too cold to operate and test the A/C, what can I do?
Because the A/C system can be damaged if operated when it’s below 65◦ degrees (specifically if liquid is in the lines instead of vapor causing the compressor to seize), we are limited to perform a visual inspection on the system only. There are several defects and information about the system that can be found visually, but the system cannot be operated. Check the seller’s property discloser to determine if the system is operational. Consider having them guarantee its operational integrity.
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16) Should the seller be at the home inspection?
No. They are not required to leave their own property, but out of courteous ambitions they usually are asked by the listing agent to be absent. When the home seller is present during the inspection, they are either accommodating and helpful or nervously defensive and disruptive.
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17) How soon can I get my home inspection report?
The report can be provided on-site after the inspection is completed. We prefer to email the inspection report from our office so that it is highly detailed and informative. Your inspection report can be downloaded from this website. The inspection report is available the same day of the inspection. Late evening inspections are usually ready the next morning.
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18) When is payment due for the home inspection?
Payment is due after the completion of the inspection. If you cannot attend, we will arrange payment with you prior to the inspection. We prefer cash or Visa / MasterCard payments, but will accept checks.
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19) Who receives the home inspection report?
The inspection report is prepared exclusively for each client, thus you own the report. Most people want their real estate agent to obtain a copy as well. We are more than willing to forward a copy to them on your behalf. We do not give information about the property to the other party.
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