FAQ

A. A Home Inspection is an objective visual examination of the property & site, physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation.

A. Buying a home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To reduce unpleasant surprises and unexpected problems, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing house before you purchase your new home. The home inspection should identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep your new home in good shape. After the inspection, you will know more about the house and property, which will allow you to intelligently make your decisions with confidence. If you are already a homeowner, a home inspection can identify concerns that are forming and suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs.

A. Buyers and sellers. If you’re buying a home, pre-owned or new, a Long Island professional home Inspection tells you the condition of the property. That way, there are no surprises after you close on the home. Home Inspections for Home Buyers: Buying a house requires countless important decisions but it doesn’t have to be stressful. When you find a house you should hire Long Island Expert Home Inspections to examine the conditions of the property and give you a detailed home inspection report. Hiring a home inspector is a wise decision even when buying a newly constructed house. Having a detailed home inspection report before you move in will prepare you for any potential problems and set your mind at ease. Home Inspections for Home Sellers: A professional home inspection is also very valuable for home sellers. By receiving a home inspection before putting you house on the market, you can get a better understanding of the condition of your home. Having this pre-inspection knowledge will allow you to repair or update the conditions before the home goes on the market. This will make the selling process easier and faster. If you purchased a new home and it still has a warranty from the builder, it’s a good idea to have a Long Island professional home Inspection done before it expires. It’s a rare case that even a new home doesn’t have some problems that were overlooked by the builder. Those repairs or corrections easily exceed the cost of an inspection. If you catch them prior to warranty expiration, your warranty should cover them.Sellers benefit by knowing the condition of their home before they place it on the market. Any needed repairs can be made prior to listing the home. A sellers inspection can also be used as a comparison to what the buyers property inspector finds.

A. The standard home inspectors report will cover the condition of the homes property and site, sidewalks, driveway, walkways, decks, patios, exterior building envelope, heating system, oil fired or gas fired; central air conditioning system or systems (temperature permitting), interior plumbing, supply and waste, electrical systems, main electric panel, sub panels, roof, attic, visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and structural components will be inspected. New York State publishes a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice that all NYS Licensed Home Inspectors must abide by: This outlines what you should expect to be covered in your home inspection report.

A. A Home Inspection can take anywhere from two to three hours depending on the condition of the property, the number of services you’ve requested and the size of the home. It takes time to perform a thorough home inspection and inspection of the entire property when paying attention to detail as we do.

A. We encourage you to plan to attend the entire inspection. There are always items in the inspection that can best be explained on-site. While it’s not required that you be present for the inspection, it is highly recommended. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions as you learn about the condition of the home and how to maintain it. Even though we will go through and explain what we observed during the inspection, the observations will be included in the report of course, but your presence at the property always makes it easier for you to understand important information about the property.We encourage you to plan to attend the entire inspection. There are always items in the inspection that can best be explained on-site. While it’s not required that you be present for the inspection, it is highly recommended. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions as you learn about the condition of the home and how to maintain it. Even though we will go through and explain what we observed during the inspection, the observations will be included in the report of course, but your presence at the property always makes it easier for you to understand important information about the property.

A. Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. I can spot potential problems early, while they are still easy to correct. It’s especially valuable to arrange an inspection before the interior walls are finished. I may find problem areas where the builder has taken shortcuts or not done quality work. There are contractors popping up all the time thinking they know what they are doing, but we often find something different.

A. You’ll receive your report via e-mail as a faster way of viewing the report where you can download and read on screen or print. The file can be saved to your hard drive on your PC for future reference or easily printed. Then in a few days you will receive the hard copy in your mail box. We provide digital photos of any areas that need identification, comments and clarification and we include them in the report. Every item we inspect on the property is addressed in the report.

A. Yes. Your realtor can assist you in determining if any items in the report are significant enough to warrant re-negotiation with the seller.  Having your realtor review the report also insures that you both are “on the same page” at the closing.  Note: I will not provide a copy of your report to anyone without your direction to do so.

A. The inspection fee for a typical one-family house varies geographically, as does the cost of housing. Similarly, within a given area, the inspection fee may vary depending on a number of factors such as the size of the house, its age, deck or patio, pool, detached garage and possible optional services such as termite inspection, mold inspection or radon testing. Do not let the fee be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a home inspection or the hiring of your home inspector. The sense of security and knowledge gained from an inspection is well worth the cost, and the lowest-priced inspection is not necessarily a bargain. Use the inspector’s qualifications, including experience, training and compliance with your state’s regulations, if any, and professional affiliations as a guide.

A. Even the most experienced homeowner may lack the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation of systems and components, maintenance and home safety. He or she knows how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they can possibly fail. Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may have an effect on their judgment. For accurate information, it is best to obtain an impartial, third-party opinion by a professional in the field of home inspection.

A. No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value. It is not 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 components and systems may need major repair or replacement at the time of inspection.

A. Typically, a home inspector is contacted immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Before you sign, be sure there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of your Long Island Expert Home Inspections  inspection. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.

A. No house can be perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn’t suggest that you should or shouldn’t purchase the house. It only identifies that you will know in advance what to expect. If your budget is tight, or if you don’t want to become involved in needed future repair work, this information will be important to you. If major problems are found, a seller may agree to make repairs or negotiate the purchase price with you.

A. Absolutely! Now you can pursue your home purchase with confidence. You will have realized many things about your new home from your Long Island Expert Home Inspections written report, and will have that information for future reference.

A. No. The code of ethics of The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) and most important, New York State prohibits its members from soliciting repair work on properties they inspect. This assures that there will never be any conflict of interest on the part of the inspector. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective report on the condition of the home. We may provide some names of reputable contractors who can assist you in repairs. We always recommend obtaining 2 or more estimates prior to doing any work.

A. Yes. Visit www.AskNACHI.org

A. Yes. Make sure you contact the inspector before your 1-year builder’s warranty runs out.

A. Yes. This is a smart idea. Long Island Expert Home Inspections can inspect your home before you put it on the market.

A. Yes. This is a smart plan to protect your most precious asset. Long Island Expert Home Inspections inspectors can inspect your home annually and give you maintenance recommendations.

A. Most mortgage companies require that a termite inspection be provided with the rest of the mortgage paperwork that must be submitted before a loan can be acquired.The standard Termite Inspection Certificate for wood destroying insect (termite) inspection is included with every home inspection performed or it can be booked separately for a moderate fee. The termite inspection certificate form NPMA33-wood destroying insect inspection report is provided by a NYSDEC certified termite inspector as required by most mortgage applications. We at Long Island Expert Home Inspections are certified New York State DEC Certified Termite Inspectors – NYS ID:T1877531