Home Inspection – Kelso, Washington

Home Inspector - Kelso, Washington

Home Inspector – Kelso, Washington

A home inspection lets you know more about the condition of your home. It can help you avoid surprises later on. Our home inspectors have the training and experience needed to evaluate your home’s major systems and components.

Kelso, WA Buyer’s Home Inspections

When it comes to buying a new house — buyer beware. Once you sign your name on the dotted line, you are stuck with whatever repairs the house needs. This is why a home inspection is one of the most crucial steps in buying a new home.

Home Inspections for Sellers – Kelso, WA

Home inspections aren’t just for buyers. Having a pre-listing home inspection can make the process of selling your home easier. A pre-listing home inspection provides you with a detailed report of the condition of your home before you put it on the market. This will allow you to learn what repairs are needed before buyers start showing up at your property. It also conveys to buyers that you are honest and upfront about the condition of your home.

Home Inspections vs. Appraisals

You just got your appraisal back and its great news. The house is valued at more than the asking price. So, do you still need a home inspection? The answer is yes. It is a common myth that a home inspection is the same thing as an appraisal. These two things could not be more different. A home inspection is concerned with the function, structure, and safety of the home — not the value. An appraisal helps determine the value of a house. The appraisal is done for the benefit of the lending institution or bank. A home inspection, on the other hand, is done for the benefit of a buyer or seller (pre-listing inspection).

Kelso, WA – Full Home Inspections

During a full home inspection, our inspectors will comb your property’s visible and accessible areas to identify any structural or safety problems. We’ll let you know the positive and negative conditions of the property and identify any conditions that need further attention.

Full inspections include a look at structural elements such as the foundation, basement, crawl space, walls, doors, windows, and attic. Plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling (HVAC) systems are also part of a home inspection. We even include an examination of built-in appliances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Kelso, WA Home Inspections

We have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions about home inspections. Here are some of the top ones that we get.

What Home Inspection Services Do I Need?

Home Inspection - Kelso, Washington

Home Inspection – Kelso, Washington

In addition to the standard full home inspection, we recommend the following optional inspections.

  • Mold – When buying or selling a home, you should consider getting mold testing. Mold is an allergen and an irritant and as such, can cause serious health issues. It can also cause structural problems when not addressed. Mold testing can help determine if mold is present in your home, as well as the specific type of mold and the level of exposure.
  • Radon – Radon is a radioactive gas that is found naturally in the ground. Radon can enter a home through the basement and foundation and get trapped inside where it builds up. Radon is a cancer-causing gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that radon levels be below 4 pCi/L. The only way to know the radon levels in your home is with radon testing.
  • Oil Tank Sweep – Fuel oil was a common source of energy before the late 1970s. Many oil tanks have been abandoned underground as the use of natural gas became a more common way to heat homes. Homeowners may not be aware that oil tanks are buried below ground. However, they pose considerable risks as these tanks can leak and contaminate the soil. Cleanup can be expensive and homeowner’s insurance policies won’t generally pay. That means that if you buy a property with a buried oil tank and it later leaks, you could be on the hook for expensive cleanup costs. An oil tank sweep can identify buried oil tanks and soil sampling can help determine if they have leaked.
  • Sewer Scope Sewer scopes are especially important for homes more than 20 years old. However, we recommend sewer scopes for all homes. Even new homes can have defects in pipes and other materials (we’ve inspected several new homes with significant defects in their sewer lines). These can cost quite a bit to repair. With a sewer scope, we use specialized equipment to visually inspect buried sewer lines. We look for things like roots, broken pipes, and other issues.

Who Pays For Home Inspections?

Typically, the buyer pays for the home inspection during the contingency period. We also recommend that sellers opt for pre-listing home inspections.

What Do Home Inspections Cost?

The cost of a home inspection varies depending on the size and age of your home. Our full home inspections start at just $395. That is a good deal when it compares it to the price of having to pay for rewiring your whole house in a couple of years, which could happen if you don’t know the condition of the electrical system in your new home. We also offer promotional codes and a sliding fee scale to make quality home inspections accessible to everyone.

Should I Be Present At The Home Inspection?

Yes, we highly recommend that you be present during the home inspection, That way, you can see exactly what we notice. You can ask questions about things that aren’t clear and bring concerns that you have to the inspector.

Contact Us For Your Kelso, WA Home Inspection

The ideal time to schedule your home inspection is early — shortly after the seller accepts your offer. That way, you will have enough time to negotiate with the seller and have a re-inspection, if needed.

You can schedule your home inspection online 24/7. Do you have questions that you need to be answered before booking? Call us at 1-360-558-7600 or email us at your convenience.

Service Type: Home Inspection | Service Area: Kelso, WA
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