What We Inspect During the Home Inspection

As a home inspector we report on up to 1600 key points of systems and components ("items") that are inspected and reported during the course of your home inspection throughout the house. These items are examined and reported on for material defects that would significantly affect the value, desirability, or safety of the home. Most basic home inspections are approximately 2 1/2 - 3 hours in length and include but not limited to:

1. Foundations: Basements and crawlspaces: Foundations and support components; ventilation; insulation; access openings; wood separation from soil; drainage and sump pumps; seismic anchoring and bracing.


2. Building exteriors: Surface grade; landscaping; site drainage; wall coverings; doors and windows; attached appurtenances (decks, balconies, porches, stairs, railings and walkways, etc.).


3. Roof coverings: Roof coverings; flashings; vents; skylights; roof penetrations; roof drainage.


4. Attic areas and roof framing: Framing and sheathing; access openings; insulation; ventilation.


5. Plumbing systems: Supply, waste and vent piping; plumbing fixtures, faucets and drains; water heating equipment; functional flow of water supply; functional drainage at fixtures; gas piping and connectors.


6. Electrical systems: Service conductors, equipment and capacity; panels and overcurrent protection devices; service / equipment grounding; wiring; switches: receptacles and light fixtures.


7. Heating systems: Heating equipment; venting systems; combustion and ventilating air; energy sources and connections; distribution systems.


8. Central cooling systems: Cooling equipment; distribution systems; energy sources and connections; condensate drainage.


9. Fireplaces and chimneys: Chimneys; flues and dampers; fireboxes, hearth extensions and accessories; solid-fuel and gas-burning appliances.


10. Building interiors: Walls, ceilings and floors; security bars; ventilation; doors and windows; stairs; railings; cabinets and counters; safety glazing; smoke detector placement; laundry provisions; built-in appliances.

The Affordable Advantage: