Technically, yes. But you could also do your own root canal. This is never recommended.  Inspectors are educated, experienced, highly trained, and specialize in looking for problems in a home. They also carry specialized tools that help them find otherwise hidden problems. While you might be able to spot the more obvious things, such as bulging flooring or moldy walls, your inspector will be able to take a deeper look into the house to not only get a complete picture of what is currently a problem, but might be able to tell you what problems you can expect in the future.

We’ve seen homeowners miss blatantly obvious problems in and around their home.

Yes. The most common home inspection is a general home inspection, but you can also have us test for Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, or pests. These types of inspections cost extra. Check out our pricing for more information. It’s a good idea to check with us before scheduling your appointment if these are concerns for you.

Peace of mind, security, and possibly an upper hand in price negotiations are some of the benefits you can expect from a home inspection.

An inspection allows you to learn more about the home you are about to purchase, and can reassure you that your investment is worth it. The inspector can bring to light problems that you can request the seller fix before the sale of the home. Alternately, you might be able to ask the seller for compensation and hire your own contractors to fix the problem.

An inspector examines the HVAC, ventilation, structure, exterior, interior, plumbing, roof, wiring, insulation, and many other things to complete a thorough report on the condition of your potential new home.

Our general home inspection is based off of the Nachi standard operating procedure adopted by inspectors across the country.

Yes, in Michigan a seller is obligated to disclose any and all issues to a buyer. However, this only covers known issues and the seller is given the opportunity to check an “unknown” box when asked about the condition of the home. Most likely, the home hasn’t been inspected since the seller originally purchased it, so there could be any number of hidden problems that have come up during that time. Additionally, there may be sellers out there who are less than honest. Remember, their goal is to sell the home. A neutral, honest inspector can protect you by making sure that all problems, current and potential, are brought to light before you sign on the dotted line.

Absolutely. New construction isn’t without fault, even if it has passed local code and ordinances. It’s risky to assume that the builder’s work is flawless or that shortcuts haven’t been taken. An inspection can help protect you against builder mistakes, dangerous shortcuts, oversights, and other problems that might be found in a newly constructed home.

Both new and old construction can have a multitude of problems. Some common things that inspectors find are:

• Water leaks and moisture
• Mold
• Roofing problems
• Grading (sloping of the ground that can cause problems with the foundation of the home)
• Unauthorized modifications (that can wreak havoc in the future)
• Faulty wiring (a dangerous fire hazard)
• Structural damage
• Vermin infestations

Yes, this is a great opportunity for you to get to really know, first hand, the condition of the home. You’ll be able to ask questions and pick up suggestions on future maintenance.

Depending on where you live, the average home inspection costs anywhere between $300 and $500. Which is well worth it when you consider that the findings can not only be used as a bargaining chip during price negotiations, but might also save you tons of headache, time, and cash in the long run.

No, an inspection is just an examination of the condition of the home. Its purpose is to give you a description of it’s physical condition, not it’s code and ordinance compliance.

It’s very common for most houses to have at least a few issues. After you receive the inspection report, you can evaluate it and decide whether or not the home is still a good purchase and figure out if you can utilize this knowledge during negotiations.

Yes. Not only do some lenders require this step, but now you can have confidence in your purchase and may have gained some tips on how to care for your home in the future.