A1: This is often the first question asked, and yet it gives the least information about an inspection. There are several answers to the question, the first being that in relation to the amount of money you will be spending on a property, it is essentially free! In percentage terms, a property that sells for $1,000,000 will cost less than 0.05% to inspect. The cost of undiscovered repairs meanwhile, can (and does) run into $100,000’s if the foundations are failing or if there are other similarly serious problems.

The exact cost of a property inspection will depend on the size and type of property, as well as the age of the building, with older buildings requiring a more thorough and thus slightly more expensive inspection. A professional quality inspection performed by a certified inspector will save you money in the long run. Inspector Ian will alert you to problems existing in your property at the time of sale, and will identify potential maintenance issues, saving you time, money and headaches in the years after purchase.

A complete property inspection is one of the least expensive costs associated with a property sale, yet it can provide peace of mind and save you money in future. Please contact us at 510.684.2340 or by email to discuss your property inspection needs and to obtain a competitive quote.

A2: For the seller, the best time is prior to listing the house for sale, since the inspection will uncover any issues which may later jeopardize a sale, in time for them to be corrected. For the buyer, the best time to inspect a house is immediately after both parties sign the contract. Most contracts stipulate inspections must be performed within less than 14 days of signing.

A3: If you are the buyer, you should wait until you have a signed contract on a property. Only then will you have a definite window of time (usually 7 to 14 days) in which you may choose to hire an inspector. Inspector Ian can usually schedule an inspection within 2-3 days and sometimes sooner. We are available seven days a week to serve your property inspection needs. Please contact us at 510.684.2340 or by email to discus your requirements and to obtain a competitive quote.

A4: A verbal summary of the report will be delivered to the client at the conclusion of the inspection. We guarantee to provide an individual written Inspection Report to the client within 48 hours of the inspection, though we can sometimes be quicker if our client has an urgent need. Our report will be specific to the property inspected and will not be a simple checklist of items that you could fill in yourself.

A5: The Inspector will be available after delivery of the report, to clarify any issues arising from the report, or to answer any questions you may have about any aspect of the inspection process. This service is included with the inspection fee. An inspection report in the State of California is valid for four years. An inspector can be an invaluable resource for you long after you have moved into your new home. Most inspectors will not charge a fee for a consultation.

A6: You may have complete confidence in your developer, but what about the subcontractors that have worked on the build program? It is unlikely you have even met the individual carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, cabinet fitters and other specialists that have built your new home. Furthermore, a popular developer will also most likely be involved in several projects at once and will not be around to oversee every detail of the construction process. A state required inspection of a new dwelling has a low minimum standard and should not be relied upon when purchasing a newly built property. An inspection can uncover many faults with brand new properties and many types of poor workmanship. Please contact us at 510.684.2340 or by email to discuss your requirements.

A7: Since State of California Legislation does not currently require licensing of the property inspection professional, most reputable inspectors follow Standards of Practice set out by professional associations such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) or similar organizations. InterNACHI members operate according to strict Standards of Practice and abide by a strict Code of Ethics.

Inspector Ian carries several types of insurance that cover the inspector’s site visit for the eventuality of accidental damage to either the property or the inspector. Copies of our insurance policies will be available for clients to view prior to any inspection (48 hours notice is required if you wish to view the original documents).

A8: Maybe. In accordance with reporting guidelines, inspectors are not required to assess damage caused by termites or other wood-destroying pests and are often not qualified to do so. However, inspectors are familiar with the common signs of such damage and will note these conditions in the inspection report where they are apparent. Any sign of pest damage carries with it an automatic recommendation that a specialist termite inspector be contacted. Inspector Ian does not currently offer this service but may be able to provide a recommendation if your broker or agent cannot.

A9: No, since to do so would be a clear conflict of interest. Inspector Ian is prevented, by the InterNACHI Code of Ethics and by State of California Legislation, from offering repair services to the owner of any property we have inspected for a period of four years from the inspection date.

A10: Maybe. An inspector will be able to discuss the likely cost of any major repairs required in general terms, but we cannot provide a written cost estimate. We may be able to provide contact details for local contractors. When choosing a contractor to work on your property, it is important to choose one with the best reputation, rather than the best price.