|
Virginia State Certified Home Inspector # 3380 000170
National Asociation of Certified Home Inspectors # 04062693 |
FAQ
Q: What is a certified home inspector?
A: A certified home inspector has fulfilled the requirements set forth by the State of Virginia for education, experience and has passed the National Home Inspection Exam. Only inspectors who have met these standards and are recognized by the State Board can say they are a "certified home inspector" in Virginia. Besides technical competence, a certified home inspector adheres to the standards of practice and ethics set forth by the state.
Q: What is a pre-purchase inspection?
A: A pre-purchase inspection usually occurs after you have a contract, accepted for a house you wish to purchase. It supplies you with a description and evaluation of major systems, informing you of any problems the house may have which you may negotiate for correction with the seller prior to closing. You can include a clause in the contract that makes the sale contingent upon the results from a home inspection. Ask your real estate agent for details.
Q: What is a pre-listing inspection?
A: The pre-listing inspection provides you with information from an objective outside source when preparing your home for sale. Avoid the last minute anxiety when you find that there may be unknown or tolerated problems that may be a "deal killer". It gives you the opportunity to correct any problems, eliminating their possible use as bargaining items by potential buyers. The report gives you a greater degree of disclosure, generating more trust for you buyer and may limit your exposure to liability after the sale.
Q: What is a commercial property inspection?
A: Commercial property inspections include stores, industrustrial buildings and multi-family rental units.
Q: What is a partial inspection?
A: A partial inspection is a detailed look at a particular area or system of your home where you suspect a problem. It enables you to confidently communicate with a contractor.
Q: What is a home maintenance consultation?
A: This is a great oppurtunity for a first time homeowner or if you have a system you are unfamiliar with to gain an education in caring for your house. We walk through your home together, developing the best strategy to maintain your investment. This is not a typical home inspection, defects and deficiencies are not investigated. You may chose have a full home inspection to obtain a more complete understanding of how your home performs and operates.
Q: To what standards of practice do you conduct inspections?
A: All inspections are performed in compliance with the Virginia State Board of Home Inspectors and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors - NACHI standards of practice.
Q: What does an inspection cover?
A: A thorough inspection looks at everything from roof to the foundation. The inspection includes a comprehensive visual inspection of readily accessible systems and components and provides a descriptive listing of significant components such as, the structure, exterior, roofing system, plumbing, heating and cooling systems and a description of any deficiencies found. You can realistically expect to gain a general sense of the material condition of the house and knowledge of any significant safety conditions or potential hidden expenses.
Areas that were not readily accessible or visible are not included in the report. Conditions that can only be discovered by invasive methods, removal of materials or dismantling of systems are not included. An inspector will not move debris, furniture, equipment, carpeting or other items, which may impede access or limit visibility, or enter any area which is less than 24 inches high and wide or what is deemed unsafe. Systems and equipment will be operated in the way that a homeowner would when engaged in routine operation or maintenance.
Q: How long will the inspection take?
A: The actual inspection times vary depending on the size, age & condition of the home, but the average is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Q: Do you check for code compliance?
A: No. I am not a certified code official. Codes and their interpretation by building departments may change from year to year. When a home was built or renovations were done it had been examined for code compliance by the building department. I have a familiarity with current codes and offer safety suggestions based on those.
Q: Should I be present during the inspection?
A: You are welcome to be present from start to finish or you can arrive toward the end of the inspection for a summation and time to ask any questions you have about the house. Attend the inspection if at all possible. It is best to see for yourself the extent of any problems I find.
Q: Why can't I have someone in my family who is very handy or a contractor, inspect my new home?
A: This is a dangerous choice many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the persons you are considering may be very skilled in one area, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections which covers all the systems of the home. Professional home inspectors are trained to recognize defects which may not be readily apparent. It is a unique skill like no other. Many contractors, and other trade professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect a home they are considering to purchase.
Q: Can I rely on the inspection to act as a warranty or guarantee?
A: No, do not consider an inspection to be a warranty or guarantee of any kind that any or all systems and material conditions of the house will be problem-free. Deficiencies and defects, which are latent or concealed, are excluded from an inspection.
Q: What if I have questions after the inspection?
A: You can call and we'll discuss all the aspects of your new home whenever you like. My service is a long-term investment.
Q: How do I choose a home inspector?
A: Call and ask about the inspector's state certification status, training, insurance coverage, background and fees. The most important criteria is your comfort level with your inspector, not that someone else may charge a few dollars less.
A: A certified home inspector has fulfilled the requirements set forth by the State of Virginia for education, experience and has passed the National Home Inspection Exam. Only inspectors who have met these standards and are recognized by the State Board can say they are a "certified home inspector" in Virginia. Besides technical competence, a certified home inspector adheres to the standards of practice and ethics set forth by the state.
Q: What is a pre-purchase inspection?
A: A pre-purchase inspection usually occurs after you have a contract, accepted for a house you wish to purchase. It supplies you with a description and evaluation of major systems, informing you of any problems the house may have which you may negotiate for correction with the seller prior to closing. You can include a clause in the contract that makes the sale contingent upon the results from a home inspection. Ask your real estate agent for details.
Q: What is a pre-listing inspection?
A: The pre-listing inspection provides you with information from an objective outside source when preparing your home for sale. Avoid the last minute anxiety when you find that there may be unknown or tolerated problems that may be a "deal killer". It gives you the opportunity to correct any problems, eliminating their possible use as bargaining items by potential buyers. The report gives you a greater degree of disclosure, generating more trust for you buyer and may limit your exposure to liability after the sale.
Q: What is a commercial property inspection?
A: Commercial property inspections include stores, industrustrial buildings and multi-family rental units.
Q: What is a partial inspection?
A: A partial inspection is a detailed look at a particular area or system of your home where you suspect a problem. It enables you to confidently communicate with a contractor.
Q: What is a home maintenance consultation?
A: This is a great oppurtunity for a first time homeowner or if you have a system you are unfamiliar with to gain an education in caring for your house. We walk through your home together, developing the best strategy to maintain your investment. This is not a typical home inspection, defects and deficiencies are not investigated. You may chose have a full home inspection to obtain a more complete understanding of how your home performs and operates.
Q: To what standards of practice do you conduct inspections?
A: All inspections are performed in compliance with the Virginia State Board of Home Inspectors and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors - NACHI standards of practice.
Q: What does an inspection cover?
A: A thorough inspection looks at everything from roof to the foundation. The inspection includes a comprehensive visual inspection of readily accessible systems and components and provides a descriptive listing of significant components such as, the structure, exterior, roofing system, plumbing, heating and cooling systems and a description of any deficiencies found. You can realistically expect to gain a general sense of the material condition of the house and knowledge of any significant safety conditions or potential hidden expenses.
Areas that were not readily accessible or visible are not included in the report. Conditions that can only be discovered by invasive methods, removal of materials or dismantling of systems are not included. An inspector will not move debris, furniture, equipment, carpeting or other items, which may impede access or limit visibility, or enter any area which is less than 24 inches high and wide or what is deemed unsafe. Systems and equipment will be operated in the way that a homeowner would when engaged in routine operation or maintenance.
Q: How long will the inspection take?
A: The actual inspection times vary depending on the size, age & condition of the home, but the average is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
Q: Do you check for code compliance?
A: No. I am not a certified code official. Codes and their interpretation by building departments may change from year to year. When a home was built or renovations were done it had been examined for code compliance by the building department. I have a familiarity with current codes and offer safety suggestions based on those.
Q: Should I be present during the inspection?
A: You are welcome to be present from start to finish or you can arrive toward the end of the inspection for a summation and time to ask any questions you have about the house. Attend the inspection if at all possible. It is best to see for yourself the extent of any problems I find.
Q: Why can't I have someone in my family who is very handy or a contractor, inspect my new home?
A: This is a dangerous choice many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the persons you are considering may be very skilled in one area, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections which covers all the systems of the home. Professional home inspectors are trained to recognize defects which may not be readily apparent. It is a unique skill like no other. Many contractors, and other trade professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect a home they are considering to purchase.
Q: Can I rely on the inspection to act as a warranty or guarantee?
A: No, do not consider an inspection to be a warranty or guarantee of any kind that any or all systems and material conditions of the house will be problem-free. Deficiencies and defects, which are latent or concealed, are excluded from an inspection.
Q: What if I have questions after the inspection?
A: You can call and we'll discuss all the aspects of your new home whenever you like. My service is a long-term investment.
Q: How do I choose a home inspector?
A: Call and ask about the inspector's state certification status, training, insurance coverage, background and fees. The most important criteria is your comfort level with your inspector, not that someone else may charge a few dollars less.
