Are you a licensed home inspector?
Yes! We are licensed by the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission. The state of Georgia does not require licensing for home inspectors.
Do you take any continuing education courses?
While South Carolina does not require continuing education in order to renew a home inspector’s license, we do participate in continuing education courses yearly.
Do you belong to any professional associations?
Yes! We belong to the International Association of Home Inspectors, as well as the American Society of Home Inspectors.
May I attend my home inspection?
Clients are welcome to attend home inspections. We do ask that you allow the inspector to devote his full attention to inspecting the property. Following or distracting the inspector will cause him to miss important things. For this reason, it’s best if prospective buyers ask the inspector what time they should arrive. At the end of the inspection, your inspector will go over his findings with you. You should wait until this time to ask questions. However, if you have any specific questions or concerns prior to your inspection, you are welcome to mention those at any time before the inspector arrives at the property.
In cases of occupied or furnished properties: If you are a buyer, you should first find out if your agent plans to attend the inspection. If the agent does not plan to attend, it is a good idea to make sure your agent notifies the listing agent that you will be attending the inspection. In many cases, sellers will insist that your agent be present if you plan to attend the home inspection.
Will the seller be home during the inspection?
This is something you should discuss with your real estate agent. In most cases, it is best if the seller is not present, but there is no rule prohibiting it. Sellers can unintentionally interfere in the inspection process, often when they are attempting to assist the inspector. The inspector will not discuss his findings with the seller, but sometimes it’s impossible for the inspector to communicate freely with the buyer while the seller is hovering.
Can you provide estimates or make repairs to the problems found in an inspection?
Standards of Practice prohibit home inspectors from making repairs to properties they have inspected for a period of one year. However, we do not engage in the business of making repairs under any circumstances. Because this is not a business service we provide, we are not qualified to provide estimates for what repairs might cost. We recommend hiring only licensed and insured companies to perform any repairs.
How long will this inspection take?
The duration of the inspection varies greatly depending upon the home’s size, age, foundation type, and overall condition. The inspection can take as little as an hour and a half for a newer home with around 1500 square feet and a slab foundation, but the average time is around 3-4 hours for existing homes. Older homes tend to take longer than newer homes, regardless of size.
What happens if the home inspection reveals problems?
Minor issues should be expected for any home – even new construction. After receiving your inspection report, you should discuss the next steps with your real estate agent. He/she may suggest calling in specialty contractors for more information, or to provide estimates. Your agent will guide you through the process and inform you of your options.
Will you inspect central vacuum or irrigation systems?
Specialty systems such as central vacuum, alarms, irrigation systems, and generators are beyond the scope of the home inspection. We recommend that you ask the seller for information on who installed or services those systems. The seller may also be willing to demonstrate the use of these systems for you.
Are outbuildings included in my inspection?
The standard home inspection does not include any detached structures. Structures such as utility buildings, detached garages, and guest cottages can be inspected at an additional cost.
Can a house fail a home inspection?
A home inspection is an examination of the home’s current condition, which indicates any potential problems. There is no pass/fail grade assigned to a home inspection.
Do I need an inspection if the seller is providing a home warranty?
Absolutely! All home warranties have items that are excluded from coverage. These exclusions vary depending on the company and the level of warranty coverage. Home warranty companies will not cover issues that were present before you purchased the home, so don’t expect to be able to use your warranty for all the issues that might have been found during an inspection. Problems with cast iron plumbing are not covered by most warranties unless a licensed plumber provides a statement that the plumbing was inspected and showed no signs of problems. Most buyers would not even be aware that the home had cast iron plumbing without first having a standard home inspection.
Do you do FHA or VA inspections?
FHA and VA mortgages require that homes meet minimum property standards. An appraiser is who conducts the inspection to determine whether or not those standards are met. FHA and VA loans do NOT require that buyers have a home inspection at all, and we do not offer a specific inspection type for FHA and VA loans because we do not work directly with lending institutions. For FHA foundation inspections for manufactured homes, you will need to hire a structural engineer.
Is there anything not covered by a home inspection?
Yes, there are limitations and exclusions. You can view the complete Standard of Practice here. Detached structures are available as add-on services, but at this time we do not inspect docks, seawalls, fences, pools, spas, or specialty systems. Some of the items we do not inspect include clothes washing machine connections, wells and well pumps, septic systems, air cleaning devices, window air conditioning units, humidifiers and dehumidifiers.