HOME INSPECTIONS
It Pays to be Informed & Prepared
What We Do
What is a Home Inspection
A home inspection is not an invasive or destructive process. It does not involve opening walls or ceilings or floors. It is not a guarantee or warranty of the home. What it can do is provide you with a comprehensive, visual inspection by a trained professional on the current condition of systems in the house and provide you with insight on components that are structurally unsound, nearing the end of their life, or significantly deficient in functionality.
A good home inspection will assist a buyer in understanding exactly what they are about to acquire. A home may look move-in ready, but an inspector will cover features of the house such as electrical wiring, plumbing, roofing, insulation, as well as structural features of the home and may unveil issues that are not noticeable to the buyer’s eye.
Types of Home Inspections
There are several types of home inspections depending on where you are in your homeownership process. Our standard residential inspections provide an evaluation of roofing, grading, gutters, driveways/sidewalks, HVAC systems, chimneys, safety issues, electrical system, ventilation and piping, plumbing, kitchen, bathroom, attic and insulation, walls/doors/windows, porches/decks, foundations, downspouts, drainage systems, and more. 1st Step Home Inspection is proud to offer each of the inspection services listed below.
Home buyers
While most everyone knows the importance of having a good REALTOR during the home purchase process, many are not aware how important the choice of home inspector can be as well.
Purchasing a home is the biggest investment you will make in your lifetime. A home inspection is one of the best ways to protect that investment. The home inspector you choose to perform that inspection should have experience with all the major systems of a home including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and general construction.
Types of Inspections for Home Buyers
Pre-Sale Inspection
When a prospective home buyer puts a contract on a home, it is highly recommended that the buyer has an escape clause in the contract pending the findings of a home inspection. This type of inspection is called a Pre-Sale Inspection. It will provide you with a full written report with pictures of your prospective home. This written report will identify all the major systems of your home, including age, life expectancy, condition, and manufacturing information (where available).
New Construction Inspection
A home inspection for new construction takes place in at least two parts – pre-drywall and final inspection. During the pre-drywall inspection, your inspector will identify any defects or possible issues to allow you the comfort of knowing that the systems behind the walls like electrical, plumbing, and insulation were all completed correctly. A full inspection report would then be performed after construction is completed.
11th Month Warranty Inspection
Many new homes come with a 1-year warranty. Prior to the expiration of that 1-year warranty, an 11th-month warranty inspection can help the homeowner identify warranty items to report back to the builder before the 1-year warranty expires. These inspections can be performed verbally or with a written inspection report.
Home Sellers
Getting a home ready to market it for sale can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what might be going on in your home. A Move-In Certified Seller Inspection informs you of any defects or problems with your home so that you can address them before prospective buyers discover them. You can then take the time you need to obtain reasonable repair estimates.
Types of Inspections for Home Sellers
Move-In Certified Seller Inspection
Show prospective buyers that you are dealing in good faith. Avoid 11th-hour negotiations and delays, and justify your full asking price by having your home pre-inspected before you put it on the market.
Home Owners
It is often said your health is your most valuable commodity. So you take care of it. You visit the doctor every year for a well-body annual exam. Well, your home is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make in your life. Just like you need an annual exam, the same can be said for your home. Your inspector will evaluate all major systems of the home including plumbing, heating, electrical, HVAC, and structural.
Types of Inspections for Home Owners
Annual Maintenance Inspection
An annual maintenance inspection by a professional, certified home inspector can help you prepare for major repairs and sometimes even avoid costly repairs. And when you are ready to sell your home, having proof of annual maintenance inspections can help back a full-price offer.
Property Investors
Just as a land developer may hire a general contractor to oversee a variety of subcontractors who actually perform the construction work, a commercial investor often hires an inspector whose responsibilities typically involve overseeing a variety of subcontractors. These subcontractors provide specialty inspection reports on building systems, such as HVAC, electrical, roofing, structure, and whatever else is called for in the Client/Inspector Contract.
Types of Inspections for Property Investors
Commercial Property Inspection
The goal of a commercial inspection is to provide the client with the information they need to enter into transaction negotiations with as much power in their possession as possible.