What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual inspection of all of the installed, activated, and readily accessible components and systems of a residential property as they exist as of the date and time of the inspection. In short, I am trying to see and use as much as I can. The best analogy, though, is it is similar to being a general practitioner in medicine; I know a lot about a lot of things and recommend seeing a specialist when there is an area of possible or obvious concern. It's a lot like giving a home a physical.
What is NOT part of a home inspection?
A home inspection is not intended to be an exhaustive or invasive exploration, determination of a home's value, an evaluation of any code compliance, will not include a recommendation to buy or sell, and is not a guarantee or implied warranty of any kind.
It is also a GENERAL evaluation that does not include special services such as environmental testing (radon, mold, water quality, lead, asbestos, pests, etc.), engineering evaluations, or special inspections (sewer lines, air ducts, blower door tests, pools, A/V equipment, etc.). We can help coordinate or refer out for some of these services but they are not part of an inspection.
Why should I have a home inspection?
A home inspection is the best way to start to know your home. While many people think the only reason to have a home inspection is to find things that are broken, the Trusted View approach is to provide an education about the overall condition of the home as well as caring for the home over time. And, yes, we do try to find things that are broken too.
How much does an inspection cost?
Most single family homes are $425-550 and most condominiums and townhomes are usually priced $300-425. Please call me at 847.567.2818 for an exact quote.
What about the inspectors who only charge $200 or $300?
Like most things, you get what you pay for. Based on what i have seen over the years, the inspectors who have low pricing do so because of a lack of experience or are not working as a full time inspector and are trying to pick up a couple of bucks on the side. Beware.
What kind of payment do you accept?
Cash or check.
What kind of report do you provide?
All Trusted View inspection reports are typed, include pictures, and contain specific statements about the findings and recommended next steps. Photographs are included and the preferred delivery method is email.
How long does the inspection take?
Most are 3-4 hours. The first two hours or so is me inspecting the property on my own and then we walk through together. Obviously, we will focus on any concerns but we will also go through the things I was looking for, things you should look for, discuss maintenance, next steps, etc. Of course, this can vary based on property size, ease of access to certain items (attics, crawlspaces, electric panels, etc.), and questions.
Why 3-4 hours? My realtor said it should only take 2.
Back in the day, yes, two hours was probably reasonable. However, this industry has evolved with increased education and tools available for inspectors. As a whole, I believe most of us are trying to teach you as much as we can through our evaluations and onsite discussions.
Do I have to be at the inspection?
Legally, no, but I think it is a great opportunity for you to go through the home at your own pace while I am inspecting the home. You can take measurements, take pictures, figure out decorating, etc. The most important part, however, is at the end after the inspection is finished and we discuss the home. Most of us are pretty busy, so I tell clients with limited availability to try and at least be there at the end for the walk-through.
What kind of a guarantee do I have after a home inspection?
None. A home inspection is NOT a guarantee of any kind and it should never be sold or misconstrued as such. While my goal is to provide a thorough inspection, the reality is that a home is a living, breathing structure that needs maintenance and eventual repairs or replacements. I stress with all clients that my goal is not to guarantee or warrant any part of a home but it is to learn as much about the condition of a home at the time of the inspection to help them refine their expectations and prepare them for ownership.
I don't need an inspection for a foreclosure, short sale, or as-is property, right?
WRONG! Even if you are purchasing a home that you cannot renegotiate pricing or request repairs for, it is very much in your best interest to have an inspection to more fully understand the condition and care prior to moving in. Of course, there may also be something revealed during an inspection that changes your mind about moving forward with the purchase. Ultimately, it is YOUR investment and YOUR responsibility to understand it.
What about new construction?
There are a couple of different approaches to new construction. One is to have an inspection before closing to make sure that everything works and minimize any potential inconvenience due to repairs or unfinished work after moving in. Just because it is new doesn't mean it is perfect. The other reason is to have an inspection just prior to your home warranty expiring. This is typically the last time you will have to address concerns with the builder. Some clients have done both.
What if something breaks after I move in?
I tell clients that it is not a matter IF something will break but it is a matter of WHEN. While no inspector likes to hear that an issue or concern was uncovered after an inspection was performed, the reality is that a home is a living, breathing structure and, like our own bodies, things breakdown and sometimes that can happen as soon as we walk out the door. It is rare but it does happen. Also, there are some things we just can't identify such as latent (hidden or covered) items inside walls or underground.
During an inspection we are trying to identify any existing concerns through normal testing and identify any indications of potential future concerns. We also want to stress maintenance. After all, maintenance is usually a lot cheaper than repair. Remember, this is an education that is part of a continual process and not a one-time event.
Will you recommend a qualified person for any concerns found during an inspection?
While I do know many qualified contractors and service personnel it is standard practice and IL state law to not make any direct recommendations in order to prevent a conflict of interest. In most cases, though, your agent or attorney can provide a referral.
After an inspection, what do I do with the findings?
If you are a buyer, my first recommendation is almost always to discuss the inspection with your agent and attorney. They are positioned to advise you on what, if anything, should be addressed with the seller(s) and how. If you are a seller, again it is best to discuss the findings with your realtor to discuss what, if anything, to disclose or repair.
Why do all of your recommendations suggest a "licensed" or "professional" technician?
In short, it is to protect my business as well as the safety of any buyer or seller. An inspection is not intended to instruct how to repair or replace any concerns. Therefore this protects me from making any improper or incomplete recommendations. Also, I do not want to presume any individual's skill or comfort level, even with supposed do-it-yourself projects. Ultimately, though, they are only recommendations and you can choose whether to follow them or not.
What if I have more questions?
Call me at 847.567.2818 or email me at jim@trustedview.com.
A home inspection is a visual inspection of all of the installed, activated, and readily accessible components and systems of a residential property as they exist as of the date and time of the inspection. In short, I am trying to see and use as much as I can. The best analogy, though, is it is similar to being a general practitioner in medicine; I know a lot about a lot of things and recommend seeing a specialist when there is an area of possible or obvious concern. It's a lot like giving a home a physical.
What is NOT part of a home inspection?
A home inspection is not intended to be an exhaustive or invasive exploration, determination of a home's value, an evaluation of any code compliance, will not include a recommendation to buy or sell, and is not a guarantee or implied warranty of any kind.
It is also a GENERAL evaluation that does not include special services such as environmental testing (radon, mold, water quality, lead, asbestos, pests, etc.), engineering evaluations, or special inspections (sewer lines, air ducts, blower door tests, pools, A/V equipment, etc.). We can help coordinate or refer out for some of these services but they are not part of an inspection.
Why should I have a home inspection?
A home inspection is the best way to start to know your home. While many people think the only reason to have a home inspection is to find things that are broken, the Trusted View approach is to provide an education about the overall condition of the home as well as caring for the home over time. And, yes, we do try to find things that are broken too.
How much does an inspection cost?
Most single family homes are $425-550 and most condominiums and townhomes are usually priced $300-425. Please call me at 847.567.2818 for an exact quote.
What about the inspectors who only charge $200 or $300?
Like most things, you get what you pay for. Based on what i have seen over the years, the inspectors who have low pricing do so because of a lack of experience or are not working as a full time inspector and are trying to pick up a couple of bucks on the side. Beware.
What kind of payment do you accept?
Cash or check.
What kind of report do you provide?
All Trusted View inspection reports are typed, include pictures, and contain specific statements about the findings and recommended next steps. Photographs are included and the preferred delivery method is email.
How long does the inspection take?
Most are 3-4 hours. The first two hours or so is me inspecting the property on my own and then we walk through together. Obviously, we will focus on any concerns but we will also go through the things I was looking for, things you should look for, discuss maintenance, next steps, etc. Of course, this can vary based on property size, ease of access to certain items (attics, crawlspaces, electric panels, etc.), and questions.
Why 3-4 hours? My realtor said it should only take 2.
Back in the day, yes, two hours was probably reasonable. However, this industry has evolved with increased education and tools available for inspectors. As a whole, I believe most of us are trying to teach you as much as we can through our evaluations and onsite discussions.
Do I have to be at the inspection?
Legally, no, but I think it is a great opportunity for you to go through the home at your own pace while I am inspecting the home. You can take measurements, take pictures, figure out decorating, etc. The most important part, however, is at the end after the inspection is finished and we discuss the home. Most of us are pretty busy, so I tell clients with limited availability to try and at least be there at the end for the walk-through.
What kind of a guarantee do I have after a home inspection?
None. A home inspection is NOT a guarantee of any kind and it should never be sold or misconstrued as such. While my goal is to provide a thorough inspection, the reality is that a home is a living, breathing structure that needs maintenance and eventual repairs or replacements. I stress with all clients that my goal is not to guarantee or warrant any part of a home but it is to learn as much about the condition of a home at the time of the inspection to help them refine their expectations and prepare them for ownership.
I don't need an inspection for a foreclosure, short sale, or as-is property, right?
WRONG! Even if you are purchasing a home that you cannot renegotiate pricing or request repairs for, it is very much in your best interest to have an inspection to more fully understand the condition and care prior to moving in. Of course, there may also be something revealed during an inspection that changes your mind about moving forward with the purchase. Ultimately, it is YOUR investment and YOUR responsibility to understand it.
What about new construction?
There are a couple of different approaches to new construction. One is to have an inspection before closing to make sure that everything works and minimize any potential inconvenience due to repairs or unfinished work after moving in. Just because it is new doesn't mean it is perfect. The other reason is to have an inspection just prior to your home warranty expiring. This is typically the last time you will have to address concerns with the builder. Some clients have done both.
What if something breaks after I move in?
I tell clients that it is not a matter IF something will break but it is a matter of WHEN. While no inspector likes to hear that an issue or concern was uncovered after an inspection was performed, the reality is that a home is a living, breathing structure and, like our own bodies, things breakdown and sometimes that can happen as soon as we walk out the door. It is rare but it does happen. Also, there are some things we just can't identify such as latent (hidden or covered) items inside walls or underground.
During an inspection we are trying to identify any existing concerns through normal testing and identify any indications of potential future concerns. We also want to stress maintenance. After all, maintenance is usually a lot cheaper than repair. Remember, this is an education that is part of a continual process and not a one-time event.
Will you recommend a qualified person for any concerns found during an inspection?
While I do know many qualified contractors and service personnel it is standard practice and IL state law to not make any direct recommendations in order to prevent a conflict of interest. In most cases, though, your agent or attorney can provide a referral.
After an inspection, what do I do with the findings?
If you are a buyer, my first recommendation is almost always to discuss the inspection with your agent and attorney. They are positioned to advise you on what, if anything, should be addressed with the seller(s) and how. If you are a seller, again it is best to discuss the findings with your realtor to discuss what, if anything, to disclose or repair.
Why do all of your recommendations suggest a "licensed" or "professional" technician?
In short, it is to protect my business as well as the safety of any buyer or seller. An inspection is not intended to instruct how to repair or replace any concerns. Therefore this protects me from making any improper or incomplete recommendations. Also, I do not want to presume any individual's skill or comfort level, even with supposed do-it-yourself projects. Ultimately, though, they are only recommendations and you can choose whether to follow them or not.
What if I have more questions?
Call me at 847.567.2818 or email me at jim@trustedview.com.