Common Questions

Who needs a home inspection?

If you are buying a new home, either a newly constructed home or a pre-owned home, you need an inspection for your protection. A home seller can also benefit from home inspections by knowing the condition of their home before listing. They are spared the embarrassment of the buyer’s home inspector finding major defects with their home and holding up the transaction. If your new home still has a warranty from the builder, it is wise to have a home inspection before it expires. I have not seen a home yet that did not need some kind of repairs. The cost of these repairs usually would outweigh the cost of the inspection.

Why should you be the one to pay for something the builder overlooked or ignored including current building code requirements?
I have looked this house over real good myself (or had my dad, brother, etc), why do I need an inspection?

I have the knowledge, experience, and know-how that is gained by being in the inspection industry and inspecting hundreds of homes. I know what to look for and where to look for it! On the average, there are more than 400 items in a home that should be checked! While you, or someone you may know, can examine the home and roughly determine it’s general condition, I inspect homes on a full-time basis and know what to look for in your home. It is my job to spot flaws, defects, and/or conditions that the average person or handyman would overlook.

Do I need an engineer or a home inspector?

You need a home inspector. When you hire a home inspector, you are hiring an experienced professional who has training and experience in the building industry. It is the job of the home inspector to not only evaluate the condition of the house’s major systems and structural integrity, but also to evaluate how these systems are working together and identify areas that need to be monitored, repaired, or replaced.

Your home inspector gives you the “big picture” analysis of the house you are purchasing. If the home inspector identifies the need for a costly, detailed analysis of any of the house’s systems or structures, the inspector will recommend the appropriate professional in that field. The need for this kind of expensive, detailed analysis is rare.

Hiring a professional engineer on your own can be a disappointing experience. The term “professional engineer” does not mean the individual has training or experience conducting home inspections. A home inspection does not involve engineering analysis.

Hiring a professional engineer to complete a home inspection undoubtedly costs more, and it may not give you the results you desire and deserve. If conditions exist that would warrant a structural engineer we will make that recommendation in our report.

What does your home inspections include?

Here are a few of the areas my inspections will include: visible inspection of the plumbing, electrical, roof, roof structure, structural systems, mechanical systems, built in appliances, A/C, furnaces, foundations, grading and drainage to name a few. Since every home is different, inspected items may vary from home to home. You also get that peace of mind that your home has been professionally inspected and that your home inspector will be there to answer questions for you should you have them.

What does a home inspection cost?

Rates will vary and will depend upon the square footage and any optional systems the homebuyer may want inspected. Beware! Choosing a home inspector based on price alone is like playing Russian roulette with your money and your home. Home inspectors who charge lower rates do so because they either have only a few satisfied customers to refer them or because they are new to the industry. Inexperienced inspectors and those who charge less than the industry average do less, know less, and therefore charge less. Why people would put their dream home at risk over a $25 to $50 price difference is baffling! The smartest decision you can make is to have your future home inspected by LONG STAR SERVICES.The information gathered during our inspections is priceless.

How long are your reports?

My reports typically run between 15-25 pages depending upon the condition of the home. Some inspectors will handwrite a few notes in a small space that is hard to read and hand you their report and take your money. You may not know any more about the house then when you started. With my report you will have a computer generated report.
Should my agent get a copy of your report?

I strongly suggest that you have me e-mail a copy of the report to your agent. The quicker they can get the report, the quicker the both of you can decide if there is need to re-negotiate or get the seller to fix or repair an item or just to give you an allowance for the repair.

Should I be at the home inspection?

I urge you to make time to be at the inspection. If you cannot make it, then please have someone you know there so that I can explain and go over any items that may need attention. There have been times when my clients who were not at the inspection had to call and ask why certain items were on the report. It is a lot easier to explain a home’s condition on site than over the phone.