Frequently Asked Questions About our Home Inspection Services

Yes! We welcome home buyers to learn from us during the inspection by following and watching our process.

You will receive the report within 24 hours of the inspection time.  In most cases you will receive it on the same day.

You will receive a link in your email to a downloadable PDF and an interactive web-based report.

The length of the inspection depends on the size and condition of the home.  For a 2000 square foot house, a home inspection might take 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  Larger homes will naturally last longer.

My inspection reports do not contain the words “pass” or “fail”.  The truth is that all homes have problems, and it is the home inspector’s duty to describe the problems as best possible.  If you feel that a specific problem or group of problems is bad enough to not buy the house, then that is OK.  I do my best to provide an unbiased assessment of the home’s condition.  I urge you to discuss the report with your real estate agent.  Often times the seller will credit the price of repairs to the buyer, meaning that you are not on the hook for those repairs.

Almost all home inspections reveal problems, and that is OK.  When I find problems I document them in a professional and unbiased way.  I review any problems with you and discuss how they can be repaired.

Yes!  Home inspection reports are an important part of the home buying negotiation process, and enable you to potentially reduce the selling price of the home.  In New York State, anyone inspecting a home as part of a real estate transaction must be a licensed home inspector.  Additionally, many insurance companies are beginning to ask for a home inspection report before issuing a policy.

The price of a home inspection mainly depends on the size of the home.  Multi-unit buildings and very old structures have additional complexities that may increase the price.

If the seller’s real estate agent placed a blue electronic lock box on the home, we are able to unlock it and access the home during our scheduled inspection time.  If the home has a combination lock box, then we usually can obtain the combination as well.

In addition to home inspecting, we also offer radon testing, mold testing and assessment, wood-destroying organism inspections and septic dye testing.

Since homes that are “for sale by owner” are being sold without the aid of a real estate agent,  the seller does not always disclose the true condition of the property. Extra attention by the prospective buyer and home inspector is appropriate.  We have inspected many FSBO properties and know what to look out for.

I receive calls often from tenants who are frustrated that their landlords are not maintaining the furnace and have bug infestations.  Unfortunately there’s nothing I can do in these situations, but Neighborhood Legal Services (716-847-0650) exists to help resolve these situations. 

Without a doubt, miswired electrical outlets are the most common discovery, followed by issues caused by old plumbing.  When it comes to plumbing, leaks caused by unprofessional repairs come in.  Second place would have to be leaks in the basement caused by rusting cast iron and galvanized pipes.