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What is a Home Inspection?

You've found the house, made the offer and had it accepted. The next step is having the home professionally inspected. A professional home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure, systems, and components of a home, followed up with a written report.

Why do I need a Home inspection?

Ask yourself this question: “Who is looking out for you?” You are about to make one of the largest single investments in your life for you and your family. Your real estate agent has recommended that you have a home inspection conducted on your home. Heed this sound advice because no one involved in this transaction is looking out for your best interests. No one that is, except a highly qualified, neutral, independent inspector that has no vested financial interest in your home who can provide you with critical information concerning the condition of all the critical components in the home. Are you aware that a new roof can cost you over $20,000 to replace, that a new furnace and air conditioner can cost $5,000 to $10,000 under the new California energy requirements or a defective foundation will only set you back $65,000? And don’t be fooled into believing that a brand new home is free of hidden defects either. It is estimated that a high percentage of the new home construction workforce today has no formal certified training and municipal building inspectors, dedicated as they may be, cannot provide assurance that the building components function properly. Be smart and make the second best investment in your purchase process – a professional inspection by a highly qualified and certified inspector with over 15 years of inspection experience who will analyze over 400 key points in your home. We are your advocate. We have only one client – you!

How do I choose a home inspector?

"Protection is the key" - Is the inspector properly insured? Look for a cover or declaration page showing proof that the inspector is a named insured, not only for professional liability (errors and omissions) but for general liability as well.
"Experience is the key" - Will the home inspector provide you with a list of references? Ask for names and phone numbers of several past users, including real estate agents and consumers. Make sure the list includes recent and older inspections.
"Objectivity is the key" - Does the inspector offer to repair noted conditions? Performing repairs to inspected properties is a conflict of interest and a violation of Business and Professions Code 7197, which prohibits an inspector from performing repairs or improvements on inspected properties for one year from the date of inspection.

What Systems are Inspected?

We offer our contract and report in both English and Spanish. We offer an on site "Matrix" checklist report We will inspect and provide a written report on the following major components of the home:

BUILDING EXTERIOR - Surfaces, Doors and Windows, Safety Glazing*, Decks and Patios, Stairs and Walkways, Railings*, Surface Drainage.
ROOF - Roofing materials, Flashing, Vents and Chimneys, Drainage of Roofing Surface, Gutters and Downspouts, Skylights.
ATTIC AND ROOF FRAMING - Access, Insulation, Ventilation.
FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE, AND BASEMENT - Access opening, Clearance from soil, Foundation Walls and other Support Elements, Substructure Framing, Anchoring and Bracing*.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - Panels, Main Disconnect*, Visible Wiring, Service Drop, Breakers and fuses*, G.F.C.I. test*, Switches, outlets and fixtures.
PLUMBING - Supply, Waste and Vent Piping (type of Material used and installation of accessible piping), Main Supply Shutoff*, House Water Flow and Water Pressure, Fixtures and Local Shutoff Valves*.
CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS - Plumbing, Gas, and Electrical Connections, Ducting, Shutoff Valves, Vents, and Combustion Air.
WATER HEATERS - Capacity, P.T.R. Valve and Discharge Piping*, Seismic Restraints*, Water, Gas, and Electrical Connections.
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONERS - Condensors, Electrical Disconnect, Refrigerant lines, Condensate drain line.
FIREPLACE AND CHIMNEYS - Evidence of Smoking, Damper, Flues.
INTERIORS - Stairs, Countertops, Windows and Doors, Safety Glazing*, ventilation.
* indicates safety or earthquake safety items

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FAQ"S Frequently asked questions. What is a Home Inspection? Why do I need a Home inspection? How do I choose a home inspector? What Systems are Inspected?		What is a Home Inspection? You've found the house, made the offer and had it accepted. The next step is having the home professionally inspected. A professional home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure, systems, and components of a home, followed up with a written report. Why do I need a Home inspection? Ask yourself this question: “Who is looking out for you?” You are about to make one of the largest single investments in your life for you and your family. Your real estate agent has recommended that you have a home inspection conducted on your home. Heed this sound advice because no one involved in this transaction is looking out for your best interests. No one that is, except a highly qualified, neutral, independent inspector that has no vested financial interest in your home who can provide you with critical information concerning the condition of all the critical components in the home. Are you aware that a new roof can cost you over $20,000 to replace, that a new furnace and air conditioner can cost $5,000 to $10,000 under the new California energy requirements or a defective foundation will only set you back $65,000? And don’t be fooled into believing that a brand new home is free of hidden defects either. It is estimated that a high percentage of the new home construction workforce today has no formal certified training and municipal building inspectors, dedicated as they may be, cannot provide assurance that the building components function properly. Be smart and make the second best investment in your purchase process – a professional inspection by a highly qualified and certified inspector with over 15 years of inspection experience who will analyze over 400 key points in your home. We are your advocate. We have only one client – you! How do I choose a home inspector? "Protection is the key" - Is the inspector properly insured? Look for a cover or declaration page showing proof that the inspector is a named insured, not only for professional liability (errors and omissions) but for general liability as well. "Experience is the key" - Will the home inspector provide you with a list of references? Ask for names and phone numbers of several past users, including real estate agents and consumers. Make sure the list includes recent and older inspections. "Objectivity is the key" - Does the inspector offer to repair noted conditions? Performing repairs to inspected properties is a conflict of interest and a violation of Business and Professions Code 7197, which prohibits an inspector from performing repairs or improvements on inspected properties for one year from the date of inspection. What Systems are Inspected? We offer our contract and report in both English and Spanish. We offer an on site "Matrix" checklist report We will inspect and provide a written report on the following major components of the home: *BUILDING EXTERIOR* - Surfaces, Doors and Windows, Safety Glazing, Decks and Patios, Stairs and Walkways, Railings, Surface Drainage. *ROOF* - Roofing materials, Flashing, Vents and Chimneys, Drainage of Roofing Surface, Gutters and Downspouts, Skylights. *ATTIC AND ROOF FRAMING* - Access, Insulation, Ventilation. *FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE, AND BASEMENT* - Access opening, Clearance from soil, Foundation Walls and other Support Elements, Substructure Framing, Anchoring and Bracing.* *ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS* - Panels, Main Disconnect, Visible Wiring, Service Drop, Breakers and fuses, G.F.C.I. test, Switches, outlets and fixtures.* *PLUMBING* - Supply, Waste and Vent Piping (type of Material used and installation of accessible piping), Main Supply Shutoff, House Water Flow and Water Pressure, Fixtures and Local Shutoff Valves. *CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS* - Plumbing, Gas, and Electrical Connections, Ducting, Shutoff Valves, Vents, and Combustion Air. *WATER HEATERS* - Capacity, P.T.R. Valve and Discharge Piping, Seismic Restraints, Water, Gas, and Electrical Connections. *CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONERS* - Condensors, Electrical Disconnect, Refrigerant lines, Condensate drain line. *FIREPLACE AND CHIMNEYS* - Evidence of Smoking, Damper, Flues. *INTERIORS* - Stairs, Countertops, Windows and Doors, Safety Glazing, ventilation.* * indicates safety or earthquake safety items [Top]