This section contains some of the most common questions asked by home buyers when looking for an inspector.
As with any professional organization, the home inspector should be Licensed, Insured and Certified by a professional organization. Every LDS Inspector is fully insured, licensed in all areas where it is required, has passed the National Home Inspectors Exam (the industry standard for knowledge), is a member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) as well as a member of the Association of Construction Inspectors (ACI) and the Home Inspection Foundation.
A home inspection is a professional, impartial, nondestructive, visual evaluation of both the positives and negatives of a property. Home inspections have become common for most home buyers in most parts of the United States. When done properly, a home inspection is an excellent tool for reducing the risk of unanticipated expenses, but due to the limitations of visual inspection, no home inspection can fully eliminate that risk.
Our thorough Inspections cover everything from the roof to the foundation, meeting and exceeding all industry Standards of Practice. See the Our Services section for a more detailed description.
The purchase of a home should be an informed decision. A two to three hour inspection identifies defective conditions, maintenance requirements, and equipment or components which are likely to require replacement within the first few years of ownership.
This is the biggest mistake many potential buyers/sellers/homeowners make. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Professional home inspection training and expertise is a unique and like no other. Many contractors, and other trades professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their homes when they make a purchase.
The main source of supervision for most construction projects are municipal building inspectors. In some municipalities, inspectors are qualified professionals and the department is adequately staffed to allow a thorough inspection of new construction sites. In others, much is left to be desired. Considering the size of your investment, additional oversight is highly desirable. At LDS Inspections we have trained and certified (Association of Construction Inspectors) professional New Construction Inspectors who are familiar with the newest building codes and construction methods. Armed with this knowledge and expertise we can quickly uncover shoddy workmanship or improper installations.
The inspection fee is based upon the age, style, and size of the property. Call our office for a quote or look within our services area. Payment, by cash or check, is due upon completion of the inspection.
The time to call in the home inspector is after signing the agreement of sale. During our busiest season, scheduling may be necessary up to a week in advance, so be sure to allow enough time in your agreement.
While it is not required that clients be present for the inspection, it is highly recommended. A report cannot make up for the absence of two to three hours of personal dialogue.
A typical inspection will take about 2-3 hours to complete depending on the condition, size and age of the home.
You will receive a written report with photos within 24 hours of the inspection via e-mail in PDF format. Then in a few days you will receive the entire report in a binder format via regular mail. Along with your printed report you will receive tips on maintaining your new home, radon information, fire safety information and energy saving tips.
Some companies offer a report immediately upon completion of the inspection, but we believe in taking the time to double check our work to ensure the most accurate report possible.
