|
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a professional "Home Inspection"?
Q: Why do I need a home
inspection?
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. Brand new homes need to be included as well. I have found many defects in new construction. This inspection should take place before the final walk through. Of course, a home inspection will also point 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, and will be able to make a confident buying decision. If you have owned your home for a long time, a home maintenance inspection can identify problems in the making and recommend preventive measures which might avoid costly future repairs. In addition, home sellers may opt for having an inspection prior to placing the home on the market to gain a better understanding of conditions which the buyer's inspector may point out. This provides an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition. Q: What will it cost?
The inspection fee for a typical one-family house is based upon the MLS finished square footage of the house, certain special amenities of the house, on the age of the home, etc. My fee is compatible with the amount of time devoted to the inspection, preparing the report, and my expertise. The value of my fee is reflected in the extent of details provided during the inspection, in the written report with photos, and in the extensive knowledge and experience that I bring to the inspection. Do not let cost be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a home inspection, or in the selection of your home inspector. 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, including experience, training, and professional affiliations, should be the most important consideration.
Q: How do I choose a
Home Inspector?
Often the first question I get asked by a new client is; "What do you charge to inspect a ----- square foot home?" The real first question should be regarding credentials and the quality of the inspection. Call and ask me about my credentials and experience. If for some reason you don't feel comfortable asking this of me, your potential inspector, when speaking with me on the phone, then how will you feel asking questions at the inspection? It is important that you feel that I am qualified, experienced and attentive of your needs. I pledge to make your inspection experience as free from stress as possible by answering your questions before, during, and after the inspection. The better you understand the home you are looking at, the better decision you will make regarding the purchase of that home. Q: Why use my Services? The purchase of a new home is one of the single most costly investments that a family will make. Along with the extra stresses this will add, there is also the fear factor of, "Will This Home Stand the Test of Time?" It is also important to know what YOU, as the primary investor, are getting for your money. Mountain High Home Inspections makes it about YOU. You are the client and it is my goal to serve you. I work only for you, and as such my goal is to provide you with the best possible information I can to assist you in your purchase. My tag line; “What you don’t know can hurt you”, is more than a marketing tool. I want you to leave this inspection by saying: "Wow, that was a great experience!" A home inspection is an excellent tool for you, the home buyer, to help determine not only the condition of the home, but to also help foresee any unnecessary additional costs that may go unnoticed without the help of a home inspection. Home inspections are not a prediction of future performance, but can pinpoint existing problem areas.
Q: What qualifications or credentials should a home inspector offer? The best qualifications and credentials consist of inspectors who are industry trained, experienced, and who are actively involved with home inspection industry associations. Here is a few of those credentials: ITA (Inspector Training Associates)- Trained and Certified NHIE – National Home Inspection Examination- Certified InterNACHI – InterNational Association of Certified Home Inspectors- Active Member IAC2-International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants-Certified in Mold and Radon Testing CERTI-Center for Environmental Research of Technology, Inc.- Radon Certification Infrared Certified-National Certification NEHA-National Environmental Health Association- National Radon Exam Certified Q: When do I call Mountain
High Home Inspection Services?
Typically I am called right after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Before you sign, however, 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. Your realtor should provide you with the names of several inspectors, however you are not obligated to use any of them. I would advise you to make your own arrangements with whichever inspector you chose. Q: How long does your
typical home inspection take? A typical inspection requires roughly 2-4 hours. The size of the property and the amenities can add additional time to the process. I provide a finished report including photos the same day as the inspection if at all possible.
Q: Should the seller
be present during an inspection? I recommend against having the seller present. Having one's home scrutinized by a stranger, especially someone critiquing their home, is an emotional situation for the seller. If a broker is involved, it is a professional courtesy to arrange for the seller to be absent during the inspection. If it is a sale by owner, some ground rules may need to be set to assure that no adversarial confrontations occur.
Q: If the house proves
to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection? Absolutely. Now you can complete your home purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. You will learn numerous things about your new home from my report, and will want to keep that information for future reference. Included with my report is a booklet on taking care of your home. Above all, you can feel confident that you are making a well-informed purchase decision, and that you will be able to enjoy your new home. Q: What if the report reveals problems?
No house is perfect. If I find problems, it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. Many times the problems I find are maintenance issues that are relatively minor problems. A seller may be flexible with the purchase price or contract terms if major problems are found. If your budget is very tight, or if you don't wish to become involved in future repair work, this information will be extremely important to you. It is important to realize that as an inspector I do not determine value. I speak only to the physical condition of the property. It is my function to inspect and report on my visual findings of the condition of the property. Q: What if I find problems
after I move into my new home?
A home inspection is not a guarantee that problems won't develop after you move in. However, if you believe that a problem was already visible at the time of the inspection and should have been mentioned in the report; your first step should be to call me to clarify the situation. Misunderstandings are often resolved in this manner. If necessary, you might wish to consult with a local mediation service to help you settle your disagreement. Q: Why can't I have someone
in my family who is very handy or a contractor, inspect my new home?
This is a mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Professional home inspection is a unique skill like no other. Professional inspectors get what we call an “inspector's instinct” for problems. That instinct takes extensive training and lots of experience doing inspections to develop. Many contractors, and other trades professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their homes when they make a purchase. As a professional inspector who practices the InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) Standards of Practice, I am required to complete continuing education classes each year. I personally exceed that standard to be the best inspector you can hire. Q: Can't I do it myself? Q: Can a house fail inspection? No. A professional home inspection is a visual examination of the current condition of your 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. Q: Do you recommend or furnish
names of contractors who can perform repairs on the property? Yes, I will advise clients on how to find and select a prospective contractor or tradesperson. In some instances I will provide several names of contractors that I know perform excellent work. There is a page on this site called "Useful Links" that has many quality contacts.
Q: How do I find a home inspector?
Q: Do you have any affiliation with
real estate agents? Q: Do you climb onto the roof?
Yes. However there are certain safety issues that I consider, and therefore I reserve the right to determine the degree of those conditions which may be unsafe. Surfaces that are wet or contain snow or ice are obviously conditions that would prevent climbing onto the roofing. Slate, metal, or wood shingles are not walked on due to their generally fragile nature. If I cannot climb onto the roof, I will at least attempt to get to the eaves for a closer observation of the roofing, and I always have my binoculars with me. I will always be able to make a proper determination about the condition of the roofing. Q: What kind of written report
do you provide? My report is computer generated using InspectNow software that generates the Matrix Deluxe report. This software is a proprietary data system developed specifically for home inspectors and can be customized to meet the personal style of the individual professional home inspector. My reports are typically 25-40 pages long and contain digital photos of key deficiencies. With this valuable tool, I can provide you, the client, with a professional report upon which you can make an intelligent decision about the property. Q: How soon will I receive the
report? I send the reports out the same day as the inspection by email or uploaded on my web site as a PDF. If the client does not have email capability, I can overnight mail the report. This will extend delivery by one business day. I can also generate a full report on-site, but this adds some additional time to the process to allow me to finalize and proof the report before I release it.
Q: Does your report include digital
photos of visible defects? Yes. I take many photos of visible conditions of the home for documentation, and to help you visualize the nature of the existing condition of the property. The photos are a great source of reference after you move in to follow up on maintenance projects. Q: What additional services do
you provide?
Radon Gas Inspections:I am a CERTI (Center for Environmental Research of Technology, Inc.), and an IAC2 (International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants) certified inspector for radon gas. Colorado is a state that has significant areas of high radon gas levels. The only way to determine the level is to perform a minimum 48 hour radon test. The additional fee is reduced when included with a home inspection. It should be noted that homes with high levels of radon can usually be mitigated. Infrared Camera (Thermal Imaging) Inspections:I provide Infrared technology as an added service to you to look for water intrusion, poor insulation, and energy audits. I am a nationally certified infrared inspector. Mold Sampling: I am an IAC2 (International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants) certified inspector. I can perform air sampling and take physical samples to test for mold. Water Sampling: I have national certification for well water sampling through Advanced Professional Services Group. Q: How can I set up an appointment?
You can call me at 303-241-8513. I work by myself but I try to answer the phone immediately, and I do check my messages and e-mail regularly. You can also request an inspection and take a minute to complete an information section giving a brief description of the property, such as address, age, number of rooms, and gross living area. An MLS number for the listing can also be helpful. Q: What if I have questions after
the inspection?
Please keep in mind that when using Mountain High Home Inspections I am available for questions after the initial service. I try very hard to put you at peace by answering your questions during the inspection; however, I understand that the technical nature of an inspection can lead to some confusion. You can call me or email me and discuss all the aspects of your new home whenever you like. My service is all about you. |
