What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a professional, complete visual examination of the all the systems and physical structural elements of a home. A home inspection enhanced with thermal imaging offers a significant advantage over typical visual inspections.
Why do I need a home inspection?
If you are buying … a home is the largest purchase most people will ever make. It only makes sense to find out as much as you can about the house you are interested in before you buy. That way you can avoid costly surprise repairs and problems with your new home. A professional inspection will give you a clear picture of the many systems and structural elements that are included with the property. In addition, our report will list the recommended maintenance for keeping your home in top condition.
If you are selling … if you are selling your home, a listing inspection will point out any potential problems that may later be uncovered by the buyer’s inspector. Finding out early allows you to address the problems before listing your home, making for a faster and smoother sale.
What is the value of adding infrared thermal imaging to a home inspection?
Originally developed for the military to enhance night vision, infrared camera technology is invaluable when applied to home inspections because it can help detect hidden problems. Some problems that can be seen by infrared technology include moisture intrusion in the walls, floors, and ceilings, plumbing leaks, overloaded electrical components, and more. Thermal imaging improves our ability to determine the source of energy losses, find destructive pests, and identify other damage that may be harder to find with a normal visual inspection.
What does a home inspection include?
Our professional inspection report covers all the major systems and structural elements of the house, including the condition of the:
- heating and air conditioning systems,
- plumbing and electrical systems,
- roof,
- foundation,
- attic and insulation,
- walls, doors, windows and all visible structures.
What do we get at the end of the inspection?
With any inspection by MacDonald Property Inspections, you will receive a detailed report with photographs detailing the condition of the home. When the inspection includes infrared thermal scanning, the report will also include comparison pictures to show the thermal signatures of the home features in addition to the normal digital pictures.
Do I need to be there during the inspection?
No, you are not required to be there for the inspection, but we strongly recommend it. It’s a valuable learning experience for most people ,and it will help you get the most benefit from the inspection. By following us through the inspection, you can ask questions directly and we can explain what we find and talk about maintenance tips for specific areas. Plus, we feel you be better able to understand the finished report when you are present for the inspection.
How long will the inspection take?
The time varies depending on both the size and condition of the home. For most homes, 3 hours is pretty typical. But for larger homes, or homes in poor condition, it may take longer.
Does a newly constructed home need an inspection?
Absolutely! A common misconception among those buying new homes is that ‘new’ means ‘perfect’, but that is not necessarily true. As inspection professionals, we may find problem areas where the builder or their contractors have taken shortcuts or failed to do good work. The inspection we perform may even identify potential problems while there is still time for them to be corrected. It is especially useful to arrange an inspection before the interior wals are finished, if you can manage it.
Why can't I do the inspection myself?
Even if you are very familiar with current home construction techniques, we provide the technical expertise, up-to-date training, and experience that a professional inspector brings to the inspection. Adding infrared camera technology to that professional inspection simply provides more information about the home. Plus, we remain an impartial third party. You or your partner may feel emotionally attached to the purchase of this house, which can cloud your judgment. Our objective reporting of the inspection details lets you work through the repairs that need to be figured out before you end up with an expensive mess.
What if the Inspection uncovers problems?
Our report will tell you the exact condition of the house, showing you needed repairs, safety hazards, and more. No house is going to be perfect, but with our report, you can decide whether the seller should make repairs or if you want to abandon or adjust your offer. Our report simply gives you the factual information that helps you decide how to go forward. In the end, the decision rests with you but knowing the potential problems before you buy gives you the power to negotiate the best terms.
Will you fix the problems you find during the inspection?
No – we cannot. The code of ethics of the InterNational Association of Certified Home Inspectors (INACHI) prohibits us from doing repair work on properties we inspect. This ensures that we remain impartial and that there will never be a conflict of interest. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective, third-party report on the exact condition of the home.
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