Saint Louis Home Inspection Service's
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Is A Home Inspection?
A. A home inspection is an objective, non destructive, visual only examination of the structure and systems of a residential property. A home inspector examines the home for signs or symptoms that there may be a problem and then recommends further evaluation or a remedy through a detailed written home inspection report. A home inspection is NOT an exhaustive evaluation of every system within the home. Such an examination would require the resources of a variety of specialized professionals, possible destruction of property, would take an extensive amount of time and would cost much more money.
Q. Why Do You Need A Home Inspection?
A. Your home inspection will provide you with an unbiased and objective written assessment of the property you are interested in purchasing or selling. This includes safety concerns as well as structural and system issues. Whether you're a buyer or a seller having a home inspection puts you in the best position to make a decision regarding your investment and provides understanding and peace of mind about the condition of the property. If you're a seller you can use a pre-listing inspection as a blueprint of any maintenance or repairs that may need to be done prior to sale and can then be shown to perspective buyers so they understand what items were fixed, this gives them added confidence in the quality and care you've taken of your home. Home buyers use a home inspection to gather additional information about the property and what will need to be addressed before or after closing on their new home.
Q. How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost?
A. At Absolute Home Inspection Services your Saint Louis property inspection price is on a sliding scale based on the square footage and age of the home, these two factors are typically enough information to properly estimate the time needed to perform the inspection and write the report. Fee's start at $269.00 and up and include both a full residential home inspection as well as a FREE Home Energy Report. The knowledge gained from a home inspection is well worth the cost. For a Free Home Inspection Quote on the Saint Louis and surrounding area property you're interested in please call, text, or email your Absolute Home Inspection Services inspector.
Q. What Is Examined During A Home Inspection?
A. Major built in systems and structure of the home are covered in depth. The inspector will check your heating and cooling system and run them whenever possible to ensure they are functioning properly. The foundation and other structural components will be examined when visible. The roof is inspected by walking on the roof whenever it is safe and accessible to do so, this allows the inspector to get an up close look at sections of the roof and roof components that may not be visible from the ground. The electrical and plumbing systems will be operated and examined for symptoms of defects, this includes the main electrical panel. All finished surfaces (walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, siding, visible insulation, etc) of both the interior and exterior of the home are examined. Kitchens and bathrooms are examined thoroughly including functionality of appliances and systems. The attic will be viewed as well as possible to supply the client with information about ventilation and insulation. Garages, grounds and landscaping will be examined for defects. Any defects within systems or structure as well as any safety issues will be detailed within the narrative home inspection report.
Q. What Is A FREE Home Energy Report?
A. Every home inspection done by Absolute Home Inspection Services includes an absolutely Free Home Energy Report that is tailored specifically to that home in that geographic area and even to your family as home owners. Your free home energy report will give you a quick and accurate understanding of; how much the home will cost to operate annually, where energy and money are being wasted in the home, and what can be done to save the most money and best increase energy efficiency in the home.
Q. What Is A Home Radon Testing Inspection?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and a naturally occurring environmental gas that can potentially build up in the home to very dangerous levels. Radon is completely undetectable without a test and can go unnoticed for decades until it leads to severe health issues. The EPA recommends every house be tested for radon and any home with elevated levels be equipped with a radon mitigation system. Absolute Home Inspection Services uses todays top continuous radon monitors with tamper resistant technology. It is highly recommended that a Radon Inspection Test be added to your home inspection at our reduced price.
Q. What Is A Home Termite or Wood Destroying Organism Inspection?
A Wood Destroying Organism Inspection; commonly referred to as a termite inspection, analyzes the structure for evidence of past or present wood destroying organisms such as termites, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees as well as evidence of a home environment that might be likely to lead to the presence of these organisms. These inspections are typically performed by a third party pest control specialist who deals with residential pests on a regular basis. You are free to find and hire your own pest control termite inspector or your absolute home inspector can hire a professional for you. These appointments can usually be done during your home inspection but times are based on availability. Average price for a termite inspection is $70.
Q. What Is the Recall Check Service?
Recall Check is and optional service that can be added to your home inspection for the low price of just $35. Recall check looks up all built in home appliances; including the furnace and air conditioning systems, to determine if they have ever been recalled by the manufacturer or had any safety bulletins issued for any reason. If one of your homes appliances have had a recall or bulletin your report will describe the nature of this recall or bulletin, let you know how you can remedy this defect, and tell you how you can get that appliance or HVAC component repaired or replaced (often absolutely free).
Q. How long will your home inspection take?
A. A complete residential home inspection and home energy report will usually take approximately 3 hours of on-site time for a typical home. The exact time will vary with the size, age, and condition of the home. This allows enough time to properly assess the entire homes structure and systems without being rushed. Recall check and radon services add a small amount of on site time, and the radon testing equipment must stay at the inspection site for 48 hours.
Q. When Should I Schedule My Home Inspection?
A. Your Absolute Home inspector should typically be contacted after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed (if you are a buyer) or before or during the sale period if you are the seller. Your home inspector is often available within a couple days to perform your inspection or even sooner. However, before you sign, be sure there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms to which both buyer and seller are obligated.
Q. Can A House Fail A Home Inspection?
A. No a home cannot fail a home inspection. A private home inspection is a completely unbiased survey and report based on the condition of the home during the inspection and an evaluation of any need for repair, replacement, or further evaluation. There is no grading system and a home cannot pass or fail the inspection. The inspection report is designed to be used as an informational tool to use when evaluating a property, it is not an appraisal to determine market value or code compliance.
Q. How And When Will The Home Inspection Report Be Delivered?
A. Absolute Home Inspection Reports average 30 - 35 pages with many photographs and even more pictures included on a digital CD, Click For Saint Louis Home Inspection Report Examples. You will receive a digital copy of your inspection report as well as your free home energy report by way of email in 48 hours or less from the end of the inspection. Shortly thereafter you will receive an official well bound hard-copy of both the inspection report and home energy report as well as a life expectancy chart and digital CD of photographs mailed to your address.
Q. Do I Have To Attend The Home Inspection?
A. You are not required to attend the home inspection; but it is recommended. If you are present during the inspection you will be able to directly observe the things the inspector finds and ask any questions you may have. You may also find the written report easier to understand if you have seen the property first hand during the inspection. Your attendance may also be required to sign the Home Inspection Agreement and take care of payment, if you absolutely cannot make it to the inspection these can usually be taken care of before hand.
Q. What If My Home Inspector Finds Problems?
A. No house is perfect and your inspector will almost certainly find at least small issues. A home inspection report is designed to simply give you the best overall picture of the condition of the home at the time of the inspection. If major problems are discovered you may want to try and negotiate with the seller for repairs before closing, or possibly negotiate a lower price. Ultimately, It is up to you to decide how to deal with the problems found, but knowing gives you the power to make the best decision.
Q. Will The Home Inspector Recommend Someone For Repairs?
A. Depending on what is found during the home inspection, your Absolute Home Inspector may recommend that you have specific home components evaluated by a specialist; such as a plumber or electrician, for further examination or repair. To remain objective, Absolute Home Inspections will not recommend any particular contractor. We suggest soliciting referrals from friends or family. If that is not possible, the local Better Business Bureau is a great place to find reputable contractors.
Q. Will The Inspector Fix Problems During The Home Inspection?
A. No. The Home Inspection Code of Ethics of The International Association of Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) prohibit members from doing repair work on properties they inspect. This assures that there will never be any conflict of interest by the inspector. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective third party report on the condition of the home.
If You Are Anywhere Near The St Louis or Saint Charles Area, We Will Come To You!!
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Just A Few of the Saint Louis Area Districts Where We Perform Home Inspections |
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Contact Absolute Home Inspection Services
For A Real Estate Home Inspection in Saint Louis, Saint Charles, and all Surrounding Counties.
Call or Text Now To Schedule An Appointment With Your Home Inspector:
314-299-9034
AbsoluteHomeInspector@gmail.com
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.