Frequently Asked QuestionsThe home buying process can be very confusing and stressful, and I frequently receive the same questions from many prospective home buyers. In addition, you will find below the answers to some questions that prospective home buyers should be asking, but do not necessarily know to ask.
For any other questions, please feel free to contact us via our website or via phone at 434-327-2901 WHY SHOULD I HAVE a home inspection?
The home buying process can be confusing and stressful. Not only do you need to consider things such as price and location, you also have to worry about whether the house itself has any problems that could become costly surprises down the road.
Your home inspection is an unbiased, professional assessment of the condition of the house. It provides you with an expert opinion and professional report on the condition of the physical structure and various systems within a house, giving you peace of mind on what is likely the largest purchase you'll ever make. do i still need an inspection if i'm buying a new house?
Yes! When constructing a new home, there can be a number of different subcontractors on a job site. While most superintendents or general contractors are working hard to complete your home, it is impossible for them to be on top of every single detail with every subcontractor. It's easy for things to get missed. We often find things in new homes such as missing insulation, plumbing leaks, HVAC systems that do not work properly, or minor problems with the electrical system.
Occasionally, we find major structural defects that were overlooked during construction. Nate recently inspected a home that was less than five years old which was not inspected at the time of final closing. The home had temporary bracing still in place and the permanent structural footers had never been installed. This temporary bracing was failing and the sellers were faced with thousands of dollars in repairs that would have been covered by their contractor had the item been caught before they took ownership. It is better to have these types of items identified and corrected before they become your responsibility to pay for! i'm putting my home on the market. why should I have a pre-listing home inspection?
If you are selling a home, you want to know about potential hidden problems before your house goes on the market. Almost all contracts include the condition that the contract is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory inspection. Most buyers are going to insist that the inspection be a professional home inspection, usually by an inspector they hire. If the buyer's inspector finds a problem, it can cause the buyer to get cold feet and the deal can often fall through. When a contract is signed on a house, it becomes unavailable to other buyers and if your deal falls through because of unknown items on the home inspection, it can be a red flag. At best, surprise problems uncovered by the buyer's inspector will cause delays in closing, and usually you will have to pay for needed repairs before closing or take a lower price on your home. It is certainly preferable to know about any potential issues and have the opportunity to correct them before you put your home on the market.
are you licensed/insured/certified?
Absolutely! Carlisle Home Inspection Services is fully insured. Nathaniel is licensed by the state of Virginia as a certified home inspector, and he carries the new residential structure certification which is required to inspect newly built homes. He is also ASHI certified and certified by the NRSB as a radon measurement technician and certified radon laboratory. In order to maintain these certifications and licenses, Nate has to provide evidence of ongoing continuing education and training in the home inspection field, which he receives annually.
how much do you charge? How can i pay?
Prices for home inspections are based on many factors, including the finished square footage, age, and location of the home. It would be impossible to give an accurate price without this information. Please call us at 434-531-1985 for a personalized quote for your home.
We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Payment can be made at the time of the inspection or via telephone at 434-531-1985. How can i book an inspection?
Booking an inspection is fast and easy! For the fastest response, please call or text 434-531-1985. You can also use the contact us page, or e-mail us at [email protected]. We will need to know the finished square footage of the home, the location, and the approximate age of the home. In addition, if you already know you are interested in having your home tested for high levels of radon gas, you can let us know that as well. Radon testing can always be added at the time of the inspection, also. We look forward to working with you!
What will my home inspection cover? how long will it take?
In order to prepare the report, Carlisle Home Inspection Services will thoroughly inspect the exterior and interior of the home. The inspection process typically takes about 3 hours to complete. This of course may vary, according to the size and condition of the home. We strongly encourage you to accompany the inspector during the inspection. This will give you a chance to ask questions and become familiar with the systems of the home. Nate does not mind questions! This is your chance to ask anything that might be of help to you during this process!
We will inspect all of the structural elements and systems of the home that are visible to our inspector. Items that will typically be included in an inspection are:
What happens after my inspector is done?
When the inspection is complete, we will tell you of any problems that were discovered and discuss them with you. We will also tell you about any routine maintenance that should be performed, as well as answer any questions you may have. You will receive a full written electronic copy of the report, with pictures. This report will be sent via e-mail the same day as the inspection, if payment and a signed home inspection agreement have been received.
See a sample report here Our goal is to discover and inform you of anything we find that might affect your purchase decision. We will tell you about any problems we find, and make repair recommendations. When we are finished, you can be assured that you will have a clear understanding of the condition of your potential purchase, and will have the information you need to proceed. is there anything you do not inspect?
As home inspectors, our goal is to inspect all homes as thoroughly as possible. However, there are certain things we are unable to evaluate for various reasons. For example, we are unable to inspect underground oil or propane tanks, septic tanks, or swimming pools. We are also unable to identify mold, asbestos, or lead, although we will certainly point out any items in these categories that we believe should be further inspected by an expert in that particular field. In addition, we are only able to conduct a visual inspection. We cannot tear into walls, move around furniture, or see underground to the exterior foundation. We will do our best to provide a complete and accurate report of everything we can see to make sure you have all of the information you need to make an informed decision, but we are not equipped with Superman's x-ray vision, as useful as that would be!
is there anything else it is important for me to know?
Great question! Many people often call and ask us the questions listed here. However, there is some additional information we like to share with home owners and buyers that we feel is very important. As someone in the construction industry, I would also ask a home inspector the following questions:
Do you have a background in actual construction related fields? Yes! Nate has over 20 years of combined construction and inspection experience. This sets him apart from many other home inspectors who were licensed through experience gained only in a classroom. This construction experience is invaluable and he brings a wealth of knowledge to your home inspection. Can I tear out this wall/move this door/add this or that room to this house? Another great question. Nate gets asked this frequently, which is why we believe it is so important to have an actual background in construction. With experience both building new homes and remodeling existing home, he can accurately assess which options are possible or affordable. This may not be part of all home inspections, but Nate does not mind answering this. As we tell all of our clients, there are very few limitations on what can be done in a home. If you can imagine it (and pay for it), you can probably do it. Whether it is within your budget or reasonable for the home and neighborhood are whole separate questions, which you and your agent would be better equipped to answer. |
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Carlisle Home Inspection Services, Inc.
5771 Heards Mountain Road, Covesville VA 22931
434-327-2901
5771 Heards Mountain Road, Covesville VA 22931
434-327-2901
