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Questions & Answers
Buying a home? Congratulations! This is an important time in your life, and like most important life transitions, the purchase of a home carries its own measure of excitement and anxiety. You will have many questions about your new home, most of which will be directly addressed during the home inspection process. So relax.
Your inspection will identify maintenance recommendations, estimated life expectancies of mechanical systems and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into three categories:
1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
2. Things that could lead to major defects - a small roof flashing leak, for example.
3. Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live high voltage point at the electric panel where circuit breakers have been removed without adding safety covers to prevent fingers from getting to the high voltage.
Anything in these categories should be addressed promptly. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 3).
It’s important to realize that the inspection report does not automatically place an obligation on the seller to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect, so it’s important to keep things in perspective. You don’t want to kill your deal over things that are in the end inconsequential. Thus, it may not be wise to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure or small, easy-to-address items.
What will the inspection cover?
A thorough inspection covers everything from the roof to the foundation. See the "View Sample Report" or “The Home Inspection Process” tabs on the left of this website for more information.
Couldn’t I have someone in my family who is very handy or who is a contractor inspect my new home?
It sounds good in theory, but this is in fact the biggest mistake a potential buyer can make. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, he or she is not trained or experienced in professional home inspections and usually lacks the specialized equipment utilized during an inspection. Home inspection training and expertise represent a distinct, licensed profession that honors rigorous standards of practice. Many contractors and other trade professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their own homes when they themselves purchase a home.
How will the inspector examine the roof?
The inspector will walk on the roof if it is safe and accessible. Sometimes because of poor weather conditions, extremely steep pitched roofs, or very high roofs the inspector will not be able to walk the roof. He will try to get to the edge if possible and will also use binoculars where accessibility is a problem. Even if the roof is inaccessible, the inspector will look for signs of water ingress while in the attic.
Should I have my house tested for Radon?
EPA officials and the Surgeon General recommend that every home should be tested for radon. More than 90% of buyers request a radon test in addition to the standard inspection. Peace of Home strongly recommends that you test for radon so that if concentration is high, you can negotiate with the seller to provide mitigation prior to closing. High levels of radon can be fairly easily brought down to safe levels by competent professionals. A mitigation system is actually considered to be a home improvement. Moreover, it’s peace of mind.
Why should I use Peace of Home for my home inspection?
Peace of Home offers outstanding customer service, detailed immediate reports, and sufficient scheduled time for your inspection so as to not rush the process. All inspections meet or exceed North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board standards and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice and Peace of Home strictly adheres to ASHI’s Code of Ethics.
How much notice do I need to give when requesting an
inspection?
Call us as soon as you are contemplating having the home inspected. Purchase offers are often contingent on a timely home inspection, so we endeavor to perform the inspection as quickly as possible.
Should I be present during the inspection?
It is highly recommend that you be present and accompany the inspector during the inspection. With you there, the inspector can show you any defects and explain their importance as well as point out maintenance features that will be helpful in the future. If you are unable to be present, rest assured that your home inspection will be performed with the same diligence that would be in evidence if you were present. You will be provided with as many digital photos as needed to convey the inspection findings and other points of information regarding the inspection, and a post-inspection telephone conference call can be arranged to walk you through the report.
How long will the inspection take?
Most inspections take 2-3 hours. Inspection time may vary depending on the size, age and condition of the home.
When can I expect my report?
Immediately following the inspection, the report will be prepared on site, at which time you may review the complete report [on large laptop screen] if you are present. At that time the report can be printed for you if you wish, which takes 10 – 15 minutes due to the large number of photos. Many clients decide to have the report e-mailed to them so they can print it out at their leisure.
What if my e-mail is dial-up and I’m afraid that the report attachment will be slow or won’t work with my setup?
All Peace of Home inspections reports are uploaded to a secure website hosted by Homegauge. The Homegauge service will automatically send an e-mail to you with a username and password, along with a hyperlink to their website. Since the e-mail has no attachments, it is easy for you to access the report and print it out anywhere you choose. Reports stay on the Homegauge website for 5 years, so you can return and download it again from anywhere you have internet access.
What is the cost of the home inspection?
Our fees are based on the heated square footage and age of the home. [click here to see complete pricing information] If the home is located outside Buncombe County, a travel fee may apply. Please call (828) 337-5609 for pricing for your specific property.
What if I have questions after the inspection?
Many people have questions after reviewing their report. Sometimes questions pop up after you’ve moved into your home, perhaps weeks later. Feel free to call us anytime if you have a question. This is part of our service to you. |
