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FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
The Answers
What is a home inspection?
Go to About
Home Inspections for
a full description and answer to this question.
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Question List
Why can't I just have someone in my
family, or a friend, take a look at the house for me?
Your family member, or friend, may be very handy. They may even
be a contractor. However, they are not trained and experienced
in looking for unsuspected items and problems involving the entire
interior/exterior of a home. In fact, many contractors hire a
Home Inspector when they are about to purchase a home.
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Do I need an engineer to do my home
inspection?
In most cases you do not need an engineer. In fact, most engineers are specialists and they do not have the overall knowledge and training required to conduct a complete home inspection. In rare instances an engineer may be called upon to inspect an area in your home if the inspector has cause for concern or if the lender requires such as inspection (i.e., manufactured home foundation fasteners).
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Why should I get an
inspection when the bank is requiring an appraisal?
An inspection is different than an appraisal. An inspection, which is performed on your behalf, describes the physical condition of the home so you can make an informed decision. An appraiser estimates the value of the home. Even though you pay for an appraisal, the appraisal is generally for the benefit/use of your lending institution. A home inspection is for YOUR benefit.
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How much will the inspection
cost?
The inspection fees for a full-time professionally trained and certified inspector typically fall in the $250 - $300 range depending on the home. Use caution – never hire an inspector based solely on their fees. The low-cost inspectors are usually new inspectors trying to break into the business and/or part-time inspectors with little inspection training or experience. You can call my office and talk to Megan for a quote based on the home you want inspected as well as to discuss any 3rd party inspection needs.
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How soon can I schedule
an inspection?
An inspection can usually be scheduled within 1 to 2 days. I perform inspections seven days a week including most holidays. I try to be available when my clients need me. So in addition to daytime inspections, I offer evening and weekend inspections for the benefit of my clients.
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Which components of the home will be
inspected?
Please refer to What I Inspect and NACHI
Standards of Practice for
a detailed list.
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What if the house is vacant?
If the house is not occupied the utilities may be off. You can check with your real estate agent to find out if that's the case. In order for the inspector to provide a comprehensive inspection, all utilities must be on. In most cases the seller's agent or bank (if bank owned) must arrange for the utilities to be turned on for the inspection. Be sure to read Home Owner Inspection
Preparation.
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What if the plumbing has been winterized?
If a house is vacant the plumbing system has likely been winterized (drained). Prior to the home inspection the home needs to be de-winterized. This service is typically arranged by the selling agent or bank (if bank owned). However, sometimes the completion of this service is placed on the buyer. Check with your Realtor for additional information. A winterized plumbing system means the plumbing system was drained and prepared for cold temperatures (if the house was properly winterized). During the winterizing process, plumbing supply lines are often loosened, cut and/or removed. Because of the potential for water damage, no one should turn the water on until the system has been de-winterized by a professional de-winterizing contractor. To ensure a complete inspection by the home inspector, make sure the plumbing system has been de-winterized and that the plumbing system (water supply and drains) have been operated and checked for major leaks prior to the home inspection. De-winterizing a home does not mean turning the water on at the meter so the inspector can de-winterize the home. It means the de-winterization company needs to run water through the entire plumbing system (drains and supply), check the water flow, check for leaks, inspect the plumbing fixtures and then arrange to have any leaks and/or defective plumbing fixtures repaired or replaced prior to the home inspection.
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How long will the
inspection take?
An average inspection generally lasts 1.5 to 3 hours. Many variables affect the time it takes to inspect a home. My company policy is that an inspection will take as long as is necessary to conduct a thorough inspection, educate my client, answer all client questions and ensure my client is completely satisfied with my home inspection service.
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Are clients welcome
to attend the inspection?
YES. Most inspectors encourage clients to be in attendance during the inspection or at the very least arrive near the end of the inspection. This gives the client an opportunity to review the results of the inspection, discuss maintenance and safety issues and gives the inspector an opportunity to answer all of the client’s questions at the time of the inspection.
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Are you a Certified
Inspector?
Yes, I am certified by the National Association of Certified
Home Inspectors. This certification is acquired by completing
a rigorous examination in all facets of home inspection and
on-going continuing education. Click
here to verify my NACHI certification.
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Are you licensed by the State of Michigan?
The State of Michigan does not license or regulate Home Inspectors. I am certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors and I am a licensed Michigan builder.
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Are you part of a national chain or
franchise for home inspectors?
No, I am a locally-owned one-person independent small business. I operate my business on a foundation of superb customer care and customer service and when you schedule an inspection through my company, I will be the one performing the inspection.
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Do you work for a real estate office?
No, I am an independent home inspector. I work for you, the client, and my inspection and report is never influenced by others who may have an interest in the real estate transaction. Again, I work for you!
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How long have you been inspecting homes?
I have been inspecting homes since 2003 and I have performed well over 1,000 home inspections.
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What home inspection-related
training have you attended?
I have completed formal inspection training through Inspection Training Associates (ITA), the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). My training also includes specialized training in heating & cooling, electrical systems, Radon testing, insulation, ventilation, crawl space science, foundations and more as well as 30+ years of experience in home remodeling and maintenance. I attend an annual home inspection conference to stay abreast of the latest construction and inspection techniques. I also complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of specialized home inspection training annually.
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When will I receive
my inspection report?
You will receive your state of the art computer-generated report on the same day as the inspection. Goff Home Inspections, LLC is the only inspection company in the area that offers this type of report. Review a sample report.
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Who will get a copy
of the inspection report?
Goff Home Inspections, LLC only discloses the inspection report to the client and the client’s agent, never to other parties without the client’s permission. In addition, the client receives forwarding permission so the client can forward a copy of the report to any party for their convenience.
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What if I
lose my inspection report?
Your inspection report is always available on-line (24/7) for two years. Since your report is available on-line, there’s no need to print the report (unless you desire a printed copy). No printed report = no lost report. As long as you have your access information you can access and view your report online at any time. I recommend my clients write their password and user name on the inside cover of the main electric panel.
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List
Does
the Report conform to National Standards?
Yes, the Report conforms to the NACHI Standards
of Practice.
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When do I pay for
my inspection?
Payment for inspection services is due at the time of the on-site
Inspection.
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What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, check, VISA, or MasterCard is accepted. Payment is due
at the time of the inspection.
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Does my home comply with all of the
current building codes and laws?
Code inspections are performed by the governing body (Building Department) of the state, city, county or township in which the home is located at the time of construction or when permits are pulled for major renovations or system upgrades. Home inspectors use the building codes for reference, but a home inspection is not a code inspection.
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What if the home fails
the inspection?
A home inspector does not "pass" or "fail" a home. The home inspection is intended to provide the client with detailed facts about the home. The home inspector presents the facts about the home to the client in a way that allows for complete comprehension through on-site discussion and answering the client's questions. Based on the facts and explanations and answers to client questions, the client will have the information and knowledge needed to make their own decisions about purchasing the inspected home.
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How much will my repairs cost?
Prices for labor and for materials are constantly changing and quotes from contractors often vary by hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for the same job. I provide cost estimate price ranges to my clients based on my experiences, however, there are two ways my clients can obtain more precise cost-related information on repairs, maintenance and upgrades for the inspected home:
First, clients can call three licensed specialists and request an estimate. Most reputable contractors provide free estimates. Clients should not choose the least expensive estimate without first comparing/reviewing all of the details provided in the written estimate. Clients need to consider the quality of the materials being specified and check contractor referrals (quality of work, honesty, punctuality) just as much as price. Also, Clients should make sure the specifications for the bids match – compare apples to apples.
Second, clients can go to Home Inspector Locator - Cost to Repair for a list of estimates to repair just about anything in a home. If time does not permit soliciting bids from contractors, Clients can use this cost guide to access ball-park figures to address their inspection contingency/negotiations.
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What if I have questions after the
Inspection?
When I leave the inspection the inspection is done, but I am still your home inspector. I am available for free phone or e-mail consultations concerning your home. There is typically a fee for on-site visits to the property.
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