During a property inspection, the inspector performs a visible inspection of the accessible systems and components of the property in question such as the plumbing, HVAC, electrical, structural and roofing systems. The purpose is to provide the client with an unbiased evaluation and to give the client a better understanding of the general condition of the property.
More often than not, it is the buyer who requests a property inspection of a property he or she is serious about purchasing. Buying property is an expensive endeavor. You don’t want to end up purchasing that dream property, going in blindly, and ending up paying thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars fixing problems that you did not know existed. The property inspection delivers data so that informed decisions can be made about a purchase, such as expensive repairs that may need to be made before closing.
In most cases, the property owner does not even know that these problems exist. That’s why they should consider pre-listing property inspections before they even list a property with an agent.
It’s extremely important that the client realize that this IS NOT an appraisal of the property’s value, nor does it address repairs or the cost of those repairs, if any. The inspection also does not ensure that a given property is in compliance with local building codes. Additionally, it does not protect a client in the event an item inspected fails at some point in the future like a home warranty.
A property inspection is not a technically exhaustive, but more of an evaluation of the property in the state that it is in on the day of the inspection. The property inspection takes into consideration, the normal wear and tear to be expected on a given component or system, given the age of the property and its location.
The property inspection offered by Riverside Property Inspection includes the main building, and any attached buildings. Inspection of any pool or additional buildings on the property is an additional charge, and is taken under consideration for discounts when multiple inspections are happening at the same time. This also includes any testing, such as for the presence of radon. The cost of radon testing is discounted when included as part of the home inspection.
There are several things that you must pay particular attention to in the property inspection report. These things include:
- Notes about any major defects found such as significant cracks in the foundation, a building structure that is out of level; issues with the deck or pool and patio area, etc. These issues are expensive to repair.
- Issues that could potentially lead to major defects. This includes roof flashing that is missing or damaged, down spouts that are missing, damaged or not properly installed.
- Safety hazards like exposed electrical wires, broken or non-existent GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms. Also, the lack of safety rails on decks that are more than 30 inches off the ground.
AllStar Property Inspection’s certified professional inspectors will advise you as to what you should do about these problems, if any. He or she may recommend further evaluation by licensed professionals where necessary. Here are some answers to questions frequently asked of AllStar Property Inspections certified professional inspectors:
- Are home inspections only done by the buyer after signing the contract?
NO. That is not true at all. Property inspections can be requested at any time, by either buyers or sellers. We also provide construction inspections at various phases of building construction to help the buyer ensure that the property is being built right to begin with. As a matter of fact, AllStar Property Inspections offers buyer inspections, seller inspections, construction inspections, home maintenance inspections, etc.
2. Why should I Have a Property Inspection?
There are many systems in a home, and thousands of parts. Some of course, of which are much more expensive than others. When everything in the property works together, the end result is comfort, enjoying energy savings, and the property that will have a long life free of problems. When there are issues with one system, it could potentially cause issues with other systems, leading to thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. Property inspections can help to prevent these problems from happening while they are still minor issues.
3. Can I do a property inspection myself?
Simply put, most home inspectors lack the necessary knowledge, skill and objectivity required to inspect a property. When you hire a professional, certified property inspector like AllStar Property Inspections, you will be able to gain a better understanding of the actual condition of the property. This especially includes ensuring that a system or component is operating as it should and as it was intended. The property inspection will point out serious defects that need further evaluation.
4. What does the property inspection cost?
This is the question most asked of AllStar Property Inspections. We do have prices listed in our SCHEDULING TOOL. However, those prices are just base prices. For instance, if you order a property inspection, and a pool inspection at the same time, there will be a discount offered on the pool inspection. The best thing you can do, when requesting an appointment, is to select each service you need, but understand that the final price will be discounted. For instance, if you order a home inspection at $395.00, and then choose a pool inspection as well at $180.00, then the final cost would be $485.00 because we would discount the pool inspection by 50%. Now, that does not mean that each additional service would be discounted 50%, but it is just to give you an idea of how we charge for our services. The final actual cost of the inspection will be provided to you when we call to firm up details for the appointment. All charges are expected at the time of service.
5. How long does a property inspection take to complete?
It all depends. The main thing it depends on is the size and condition of the property being inspected. For instance, you can usually take into consideration that a property will take about an hour and fifteen minutes for every 1,000 square feet of building. Then you have to consider any outbuildings, pools, spas, etc. When we firm up your appointment, we will give you an idea of exactly how long we should be there.
6. Should I be present during the home inspection?
You don’t have to be present during the inspection, HOWEVER, it’s generally a good idea if you are. This way, if you have specific questions you want to ask of the AllStar Property Inspections certified home inspectors, they can answer them for you. At the time of this writing, we are under social distancing guidelines and people may not want to be around too many other people, and that’s OK. We provide plenty of pictures, and our narratives in our reports are very detailed. You can give us a call at 951-888-0023 for answers to any questions you may have, or you may use the contact form on the AllStar Property Inspections website, which is better. We answer all inquiries as soon as possible.
Property Inspections Include: (This is not an exhaustive list. It is only intended to give you a general overview of the service we provide).
- Site drainage and grading
- Driveway
- Entry Steps
- handrails
- Decks
- Masonry
- Landscape (as it relates to the home)
- Retaining walls
- Roofing, flashings, chimneys, and attic
- Eaves, soffits, and fascias
- Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
- Foundation, basement, and crawlspaces
- Garage, garage walls, floor, and door operation
- Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, range/oven/cooktop/hoods, microwave, disposal, trash compactor)
- Laundry appliances (washer and dryer)
- Ceilings, walls, floors
- Kitchen counters, floors, and cabinets
- Windows and window gaskets
- Interior doors and hardware
- Plumbing systems and fixtures
- Electrical system, panels, entrance conductors
- Electrical grounding, GFCI, outletsSmoke (fire) detectors
- Ventilation systems and Insulation
- Heating equipment and controls
- Ducts and distribution systems
- Fireplaces
- Air Conditioning and controls
- Heat Pumps and controls
- Safety items such as means of egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.
We do offer other services and inspections that are not included as part of the standard inspection, but can be scheduled at the same time. These services and inspections include:
- Radon Gas Testing
- Mold Testing
- Termite Inspection (usually performed by a separate company)
- Gas Line Leak Test (usually performed by the gas company)
- Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
AllStar Property Inspections recommends having radon testing done at the same time that you are having a property inspection completed. This will lessen the cost for one thing. Many people don’t bother testing for the presence of radon gas, but understand this: It is a leading cause of lung cancer. You can discuss this with your certified professional inspector on the day of the inspection if you do not order a radon test and then later change your mind.
