FAQs
A home inspection is a top to bottom, inside to out, evaluation of a home. We inspect all the major systems including the roof, electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, and overall structure. All of this information is documented in a report that is prioritized to help the home buyer understand what repairs need to be taken into account before agreeing to purchase a home.
Usually between 2 to 3 hours, but each one is different. This depends on the size and condition of the home as well as how many questions our clients have for us while on site. We have inspected 20,000SqFt, century-old, mansions that have taken us all day and condos that can be as quick as an hour!
A good estimate to budget for when planning to buy a home is around $500. We base our pricing on age and square footage so each one is a little different. Condos and smaller homes are less while larger homes are more. Something to keep in mind is that common services like radon testing, sewer scope inspections and air quality tests are not included in the general home inspection price.
A home inspector is looking at a lot of things. Some companies say they have over 500 point checklists. We’re not sure how many things our team looks at, but it is a lot and it is different with every home. The major things are the roof and ventilation, electrical system, plumbing system, HVAC system(s), and the overall structure of the home. In addition to the major items, we are also inspecting things like individual outlets, doors and windows, and faucets. If you’re interested in seeing a list of everything we look at, we have a comprehensive list here HERE
Yes, a home inspection has limitations and likely will not find every single issue in a home. The main reason for this is because a general home inspection is a visual inspection and is not technically exhaustive, meaning that systems or components will not be disassembled as part of the inspection. Other factors that can limit a home inspection include time constraints and accessibility issues. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, certain issues may not be present when the home inspection is conducted. In rarer occasions, access to the attics or crawlspaces is either not present or not accessible. Although not perfect, a home inspection greatly reduces the risk of buying a home.
Yes, home inspectors are required to be licensed in Ohio. While it doesn’t make all home inspectors equally experienced or knowledgeable, it does set forward a minimum standard which was much needed in Ohio. Home inspector licensing is relatively new and did not become law until 2019. Click HERE to learn more about our President being appointed by Governor DeWine to the Ohio Home Inspector Board.
The most basic credential you need to become a home inspector is to become licensed in Ohio. That means having completed 80 hours of continuing education, conducting 10 parallel inspections and pass the National Home Inspector Examination. You also must pass a background check and carry $300k of liability insurance.
Something interesting and important to keep in mind when shopping for a home inspector is that Ohio does not require home inspectors to carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. That means if your inspector does miss a faulty foundation or major component you may be left out to dry.
Two home buyers, Alex and Sarah, could receive the same inspection report for the same home. Alex could decide not to buy the property while Sarah could determine that she is prepared to make the needed repairs and purchase the home.
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Contact us for your home inspection today!
800-434-6022