[ Understanding Home Inspections ]

A home inspection by a experienced and qualified inspector is a must on every home sold, NEW or OLD. Here's why: (See What We Inspect Below)

A home inspection is a detailed "snap shot" of the current condition of your home on the day of the inspection. A thorough home inspection by a Certified AmeriSpec inspector will make you aware of areas in need of repair or replacement, potential issues, and safety related issues that could affect the health and safety of your family. No home inspector can predict future failures or issues that were not visible to an inspector on the day of the inspection, and no one can. A home inspection by an experienced and certified inspector is the BEST way to reduce your liability when buying a home.

WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE?

Our inspectors generally spend 2 1/2 to 3 hours performing a thorough inspection of the accessible areas of your future home depending on size and age of house. We review over 400 items in each and every home. These include:

Roof: Type of material, installation of roof, number of layers, life expectancy, skylights, chimneys, roof vents, includes digital photos of roof.

Attic: Type and condition of framing, insulation type and depth, ventilation type and adequacy(common issue in many homes), electrical, and determination of visible moisture penetration. Includes digital photos of the attic.

Exterior: Siding and trim, windows(one of the most overlooked areas of major issues by homeowners), gutters, decks, grading, fences, sprinkler systems, patios, walks and drives, chimneys, and electrical

Interior: Outlets and lightswitches, windows, doors, bathroom sub floors, shower/tub walls(Often overlooked major issue in many homes), walls and floors, kitchen appliances, fireplaces, cabinetry, smoke detectors, handrails and railing spacings, laundry area, even doorbells.

Heating/Air Conditioning: Type of units, Gas leak detection, carbon monoxide testing, air flow, life expectancy and make of systems, and review of overall condition/operation of units.

Plumbing: Water heater life expectancy and condition, gas leak testing, carbon monoxide testing, type of supply and waste lines, water flow and drainage, filling of all sinks and tubs, run showers for a minimum of 10-15 minutes, and flush toilets a minimum of three times.

Garage: Test opener, check safety reverse, condition of garage door and hardware, review all electrical, garage floor, and presence of fire door and fire walls/ceilings. Basement/crawlspaces: Evidence of moisture penetration, foundation type and condition, floor joists, beams, support posts, basement/crawlspace floor.

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NEW HOME, A HOME INSPECTION IS A GREAT IDEA!

A home inspection on a new home is a great idea. Why? Our region of the nation has many top notch builders, but everyone makes mistakes. New homes are built by many people relying on each other and errors can occur. Most builders give home buyers a one year warranty against any issues that arise. But what if you don't know that there are issues? Issues such as roof, attic, improper siding or window installations, and even structural issues may not raise there ugly heads till it's too late. A thorough home inspection is a GREAT PUNCH LIST to ensure that any minor issues such as loose fixtures or potential major issues as those mentioned above are addressed prior to you closing on the home and the builder getting their money. For around $300(based on house size and price) a home inspection can greatly reduce future headaches for both the buyer and builder.

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WHAT'S YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN A INSPECTION?

We invite our clients to attend the entire inspection. We highly recommend that our clients at least take the time to attend a detailed walk through at the end of our inspection, this ensures their undertanding of our findings and allows them to ask questions and receive the answers they need.

Our state of the art reporting system allows us to prepare an on-site report which details the condition of your home. Our report is delivered in a binder which includes a 200+ page home maintenance repair manual and seasonal maintenance checklist. We also include digital photos on a disc for you of the roof, attic, and areas of needed repairs or replacement. Our inspectors take the time to discuss with you the condition of your home and any needed repairs. As part of our service we enjoy educating our clients on the maintenance needs of their new home. We also take the time to point out the location and operation of items such as furnace filters, water shut offs, gas shut offs, sprinkler controls, and any other mechanical components in the home.

When experience, knowledge, and service are important to you, contact the ones that take care of more Midwest home buyers than any other home inspection service.

[ Frequently Asked Questions ]

Below are answers to frequently asked questions from Homeowners
and Realators.

[ Homeowner FAQs ] Q. Why should I have a home inspection? A. A home purchase is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. A home inspection provides you with the information you need to feel more confident in your decision. An AmeriSpec inspection will provide you with a detailed, objective report of the home's condition so you can be aware of what you are about to invest in. Q. How long does the inspection take? A. A typical inspection of a property less than 2,000 square feet lasts approximately two and a half hours. Q. Do I need to be present at the time of the inspection? A. Yes, it is to the buyer or seller's benefit to be present at the time of the inspection. The point of a home inspection is not just to inspect the property, but also to educate the homeowner or potential buyer of the condition of the property. This can be better achieved if you are present at the time of the inspection. Q. How will the inspection help me determine the condition of the home? A. During the course of the inspection, the inspector will explain the condition o f the property. After the inspection if performed pursuant to the standards of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the inspector will provide you with The AmeriSpec ReportTM so you can make an informed decision on purchasing or listing the property. Q. What is included in The AmeriSpec ReportTM? A. The inspector will provide you with a 15-20 page detailed report in an AmeriSpec binder. The report outlines all major areas of the home including heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, roofing and more. You will receive a Seasonal Maintenance Checklist that outlines tips on keeping your home in shape. The report also contains a 192-page do-it-yourself home repair manual as well as savings on home services form the Service Master family of companies. Q. Why should I choose AmeriSpec over a local competitor? A. AmeriSpec is the number one home inspection company in North America. We have performed over 1,000,000 home inspections. AmeriSpec's inspectors are professionals trained to give you an objective view of a home's condition. We provide you with a detailed report of the findings in our AmeriSpec ReportTM. Q. What are AmeriSpec's inspector's qualifications? A. AmeriSpec offers the best training in the industry by combining classroom instruction and hands-on technical training in a state-of-the-art training facility. To enhance training in the classroom, AmeriSpec uses a complete educational training system developed by Carson and Dunlop and Associates, one of the most respected names in professional home inspection training. Technical training classes are also held periodically throughout the year to inform business owners about ancillary services and other inspection specialties. AmeriSpec inspectors are trained to perform a professional inspection that meets the highest standards in the industry-the standards of Practice established by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

[ Realator FAQs ] Q. If I refer AmeriSpec to a customer, am I liable? A. AmeriSpec Inspectors have extensive Errors and Omissions insurance. Furthermore, we offer additional insurance coverage to help protect Realtors from claims based upon the inspection. Realtors, closing attorneys and mortgage bankers must register with AmeriSpec in order to qualify for coverage. See additional insured certificate for details on coverage. Q. Why choose AmeriSpec instead of an independent company? A. AmeriSpec is nationwide. AmeriSpec inspectors undergo extensive training and are backed by insurance. AmeriSpec is also a part of ServiceMaster, a Fortune 500 company with 6.5 billion in assets. Q. How many items are inspected? A. Over 400 items are inspected including foundation, roof, structural components, plus all major electrical, plumbing and mechanical operating systems of the property. See our Services section for details. Q. What will my client receive in writing as part of the inspection? A. The inspector will provide your client with a 15-20-page computer generated report in an AmeriSpec binder. The AmeriSpec Report™ contains a letter of introduction, our inspection report, a seasonal maintenance checklist and a complete 90-page home repair handbook. Q. How long does an inspection take, and does my client need to be present at the time of the inspection? A. A typical inspection of a property less than 2,000 square feet lasts approximately two and a half hours. It is to your client's benefit to be present at the time of the inspection. AmeriSpec's job is to inspect the property and educate the client about the condition of the property. Q. What are your inspector's qualifications? A. Our inspectors are trained and certified. Our inspectors adhere to the standards set by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

It is important that you, as a homebuyer, be present during the two to three hour inspection. By accompanying the inspector you will gain additional insight.

• See first hand the condition of each key component throughout the house and property so you will have a better understanding of your house and of the inspection report.
• Allay concerns about findings which, on paper may seem distressing buy in fact may be superficial. For example, the inspector might explain that some lubricant can quiet an alarming noise coming from an appliance; that an unsightly column needs only a coat of paint, or that the problem that caused a water spot has previously been corrected.
• Learn about the operation of your new home-how the heating system works, how to control pilot lights, how to turn on various appliances and components, where shutoffs are to save time and avoid frustration. The inspector can point out maintenance needs and procedures and explain how and when to check items needing periodic monitoring.
• Have all of your questions and concerns addressed immediately as they arise.

Prior to the inspection, prepare a list of questions or concerns about the property. Relate these to the inspection company in advance to ensure that such matters will be properly addressed and that any special arrangements can be made if necessary. Bring your list to the inspection.