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THE HOME INSPECTION AND YOU
Q1. What is a "HOME INSPECTION"?
Q2. What does It Include?
Q3. Why do I need a Home Inspection?
Q4. What will it cost?
Q5. Cant't I do it myself?
Q6. Can a house fail inspection?
Q7. How do I know I have a qualified home inspector?
Q8. What is the American Society of home inspectors®?
Q9. When do I call in the home inspector?
Q10. Do I have to attend the home inspection?
Q11. What will be included in the report?
Q12. How long will an inspection last?
Q13. When should I consider a home inspection?
Q:14 When may I have a home inspection?
Q:15 How do I pay for the home inspection?
Q:16 When will I receive the written report?
Q1. What is a "HOME INSPECTION"?
A: A home inspection is an objective
visual examination of the physical structure
and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation.
Having a home inspected is like giving it a physical
checkup. If problems or symptoms are found, the
inspector may recommend further evaluation.
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Q2. What does It Include?
A: The standard home inspector's report
will review the condition of the home's heating
system, central air conditioning system (temperature
permitting), interior plumbing and electrical
systems; the roof, attic, and visible insulation;
walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the
foundation, basement, and visible structure.
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Q3. Why do I need a Home Inspection?
A: The purchase of a home is probably
the largest single investment you will ever make.
You should learn as much as you can about the
condition of the property and the need for any
major repairs before you buy, so that you can
minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties
afterwards.
Of course, a home inspection also points out
the positive aspects of a home, as well as the
maintenance that will be necessary to keep it
in good shape. After the inspection, you will
have a much clearer understanding of the property
you are about to purchase.
If you are already a homeowner, a home inspection
may be used to identify problems in the making
and to learn preventive measures, which might avoid
costly future repairs. If you are planning to sell
your home, you may wish to have an inspection prior
to placing your home on the market. This will give
you a better understanding of conditions which
may be discovered by the buyer's inspector, and
an opportunity to make repairs that will put the
house in better selling condition.
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Q4. What will it cost?
A: The inspection fee is based on the
size, location, and systems of your home. Please
feel free to give me a call or email, as I am
happy to discuss the details with you, and answer
any questions you may have.
Telephone: 206-931-0506 Email: Farren@KeyInspectionServices.com
And a word to the wise, Do not let cost be the
only factor in deciding whether or not to have
a home inspection, or in the selection of the home
inspector. One should consider a home inspection
as an extremely wise investment. The knowledge
gained from an inspection is well worth the cost,
and the lowest-priced inspector is not necessarily
a bargain. The inspector's qualifications, experience,
training, and professional affiliations, should
be the most important consideration.
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Q5. Can't I do it myself?
A: I wouldn’t recommend doing
your own home inspection, or getting one from
your friend the carpenter, plumber, etc. When
considering a home inspection I would highly
recommend purchasing the services of a home inspector
to provide a complete non-biased 3 rd party evaluation
of the property. I have no vested interest whether
you purchase, sell, or make changes to the property.
I only identify, evaluate, and report on my findings.
I have been professionally schooled in home inspection
and continue attending seminars, and with an
ongoing focus of learning more on detecting and
preventing defects in your home.
The inspector you choose should be familiar
with the many elements of home construction,
their proper installation, and maintenance. He
or she should understand how the home's systems
and components are intended to function together,
how these systems operate separately and as well
as how and why they may fail and preventative
steps which may prolong the systems life.
Above all, most buyers find it very difficult to
remain completely objective and unemotional about
the house they really want, and this may affect
their judgment. For the most accurate information,
it is best to obtain an impartial third-party opinion
by an expert in the field of home inspection; with
a minimal report following the standards of practice
and code of ethics of American Society of Home
Inspectors.
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Q6. Can a house fail inspection?
A: No. A KEY Inspection
services provides a visual non-destructive inspection
of the home and many of the systems within the
home. The goal is to not fail or pass a home.
The goal is to educate the buyer/seller of the
current condition of the prospective home. It
is not an appraisal, which determines market
value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies
local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore,
will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe
its physical condition and indicate what may
need repair or replacement.
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Q7. How do I know I have a qualified home
inspector?
A: Ask questions:
- What formal education do you have for properly
doing home inspections?
- Certified Graduate of Inspection Training
and Associates. Formal completed and passed
a stringent classroom and lab environment
training in San Diego California
- Are you Washington State Department of Agricultural
licensed Structural Pest Inspector? (Should
be yes, verify by calling 877.301.4555)
- KEY Inspection Services #66918
- Does your inspection service adhere to national
standards? (NAHI, ASHI, etc)
- KEY Inspection Services meets or exceeds
National ASHI and NAHI standards.
- Do you go in Attics and Crawlspaces?
I go in every safe location we can get to within
your home. If I can’t safely get to an area
I will note this in our report.
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Q8. What is the American Society of home inspectors®?
A: The American Society of Home Inspectors® (ASHI®)
is the oldest and leading nonprofit professional
association for independent home inspectors.
Since its formation in 1976, ASHI®'s "Standards
of Practice" have served as the home inspector's
performance guideline, universally recognized
and accepted by professional and government authorities
alike. Copies of the Standards are available
free from ASHI®.
ASHI®'s professional Code of Ethics prohibits
Members from engaging in conflict of interest
activities which might compromise their objectivity.
This is the consumer’s assurance that the
inspector will not, for example, use the inspection
to solicit or refer repair work.
In order to assist home inspectors in furthering
their education, ASHI® sponsors a number of
technical seminars and workshops throughout the
year, often in cooperation with one of its nearly
50 Chapters. ASHI® also serves as a public
interest group by providing accurate and helpful
consumer information to home buyers on home purchasing
and home maintenance.
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Q9. When do I call in the home inspector?
A: A home inspector is typically contacted right after the contract
or purchase agreement has been signed, and is often available within a few
days. However, before you sign, be sure that there is an inspection clause
in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings
of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms to
which both the buyer and seller are obligated.
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Q10. Do
I have to attend the home inspection?
A: I highly recommend you attend and
ask questions during the home inspection process.
As your 3 rd grade school teacher said “there
are no stupid questions”. So please come
and learn a bit more about your home or property
you are interested. I am here to help and happy
to assist and educate in any manner you wish.
Though I do understand different clients have
different needs, and I aim to please.
At KEY Inspection Services I generally see
three types of clients:
- Client likes to ask a great deal of questions
on everything throughout the entire home. Understanding
minor to major issues.
- Client enjoys wondering around with the
realtor, choosing locations for furniture discussing
remodeling ideas, and wants to be informed
when the inspector discovers major issues.
- Client simply wants the report delivered
and explained.
Whichever client you may be, I will work to meet
your needs.
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Q11. What will be included in the report?
A: A visual non-destructive evaluation
of the following systems: building structure,
basement and/or crawl space, heating and cooling
systems, plumbing, bathrooms, electrical panel,
kitchen, attic, interior and exterior walls,
roofing, grounds, representative sample of windows,
doors, electrical receptacles, and more will
be contained in the written report. The report
is computer generated containing pictures and
delivered and explained onsite to ensure the
client clearly understands the findings in the
report.
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Q12. How long will an inspection last?
A: A Key Home Inspection is a very thorough
and in-depth inspection covering nearly every
system in your home. Our Inspection is designed
to meet and sometimes exceed the Standards of
Practice and Code of Ethics of the American Society
of Home Inspectors. The inspection can last between
3 to 4 hours depending on the size of the home,
and the depth of explanation our client would
like.
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Q:13 When should I
consider a home inspection?
A: A good time to consider a home inspection
is when your purchasing a home, considering listing
your home to sell, or you have listed your home
for sale and would like to use a home inspection
as a selling tool; decreasing buyer anxiety and
giving you the seller the best opportunity to
repair issues you may have within your home at
the lowest price possible.
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Q:14 When may I have a home inspection?
A: KEY Inspection Services provides
inspection services 7 days a week and can generally
schedule an inspection within 24-72 hours upon
your call or email.
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Q:15 How
do I pay for the home inspection?
A: Payment due upon completion of the inspection; payment can be made by Check or
Cash.
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Q:16 When will I receive the written report?
A: A computer-generated report (with
photos) will be delivered and explained onsite
at the completion of the inspection.
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