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| Residential
Inspections |
The decision to buy a home is never
an easy one – it’s complex, important
and very personal. Along with the
usual considerations of price, floor
plan, neighborhood and schools,
the fundamental questions arise
- is the house healthy? What kind
of repairs may be in order and what
can they do to the overall cost
of the home?
The purchase price and perhaps even
the ultimate decision to purchase
may be affected by these factors. |
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| Levels
of Inspection |
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To
help you better understand the property
you are considering, Structure & Site
provides three levels of home inspections,
which offer an increasing depth of services
to protect your family and investment. |
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The
Basic Home Inspection |
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Don’t
be fooled by the name. The Basic home
inspection conducted by Structure & Site
is considered the benchmark inspection
in the industry. The on-site evaluation
is extremely thorough and the corresponding
report is highly detailed, computer generated
in an easy-to-read format, includes digital
photos and is presented to you at the
completion of the inspection. |
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All
of these important elements are inspected: |
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Foundation
& structure analysis |
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Roof covering, flashings,
chimneys, gutters & downspouts |
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Electrical input and
circuit wire evaluation |
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Complete plumbing system
including flood test |
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Furnace & A/C operational
and condition analysis |
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Landscape, grading,
driveways & garage |
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Attic structure, insulation
levels & venting capacity |
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Window function &
interior condition analysis |
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Smoke detectors &
carbon monoxide detectors |
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The Premier Inspection |
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The
Premier Home Inspection is designed
to bundle the most requested add-on
services we offer. All of the elements
of the Basic Home Inspection
are included plus the following
important safety inspections: |
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Radon
Gas Test - Radon gas is
a by-product of decaying uranium.
When a property is excavated for
a home build, the dense compact
soil is loosened and then allows
easy penetration of radon gas to
the foundation of the home. Radon
gas is heavier than air, which settles
in the lowest level of the home.
Long- term exposure to radon gas
is the 2nd leading cause of long
cancer. Radon gas is an invisible
and odor-less substance. A two-
unit test is conducted which ensures
a highly accurate account of the
radon gas level of the property.
There are two reasons to conduct
a radon gas test. (1) Health and
safety. Exposure to elevated radon
by children and the elderly is especially
dangerous. (2) If the property does
have elevated radon gas, the remediation
process costs approximately $1,000.
Better to know the radon level before
it becomes your problem. |
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Mold
Inspection – The last thing
you want to deal with in a new property
purchase is mold growth. Structure
& Site professionals are highly
trained and certified for mold investigations
and testing. Why a mold inspection?
Mold growth is always a direct cause
of moisture infiltration to building
materials. Although many mold issues
are relatively minor, it is vital
to understand the negative impact
that mold growth can create. During
the mold inspection, sophisticated
equipment is utilized to detect
elevated moisture and humidity levels.
Floor joists. Attic decking. Floor
decking. Basement drywall. Laundry
rooms. Bathrooms. Shower pans. All
areas of common mold growth. If
physical mold is found, a sample
is taken for laboratory analysis
in order to determine if the mold
is a toxic strain. |
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Pest
Inspection – Wood boring
insects such as termites, carpenter
ants and carpenter bees can cause
significant damage to a property’s
structure. A visual pest inspection
is conducted to determine if current
or past infiltration is present
in the exterior, basement, attic
or garage. |
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Report
Distribution - Home inspection,
radon gas and physical mold reports
will be distributed via hard copy
and email. |
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Cost
for the Premier Home Inspection
is $495 for homes up to 5,000 square
feet. |
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The Elite Inspection |
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The
Elite Home Inspection provides an
exhaustive array of inspections
that detail all aspects of the property.
All of the elements of the Basic
Home Inspection and Premier
Home Inspection are included
plus the following additional inspections: |
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Indoor
Air Quality Test – A whole
house indoor air quality study will
be conducted to determine if elevated
mold spores exist within the living
space of the home. Multiple samples
will be collected and evaluated
by an independent laboratory to
ascertain the mold profile of the
property. Mold growth can exist
in hidden areas such as wall cavities,
ceiling spaces and low level areas.
An indoor air quality test will
tell you if hidden mold or remnant
spores exist. |
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Sewer
Drain Line Scope – A video
drain line scope will start in the
interior clean out and progress
through the main drain line to the
municipal sewer connection. Any
failures, fractures, root infiltration
or other deficiencies will be identified.
This test can save thousands of
dollars worth of repairs. |
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Water
Purity Test – An evaluation
of copper, lead, fluoride and chorine
is conducted. Issues such as soldering
flux, internal pipe material and
input line material can result in
high levels of unhealthy contaminants
within the drinking water supply. |
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Airborne
Allergy Testing – The EPA
suggests conducting periodic indoor
air quality testing to determine
if high levels of allergy contaminants
exist within a property. Multiple
indoor airborne allergy tests will
be collected and examined for animal
dander, insect proteins and dust
mite enzymes. Exact levels are compared
to EPA standards for indoor acceptable
levels. |
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Repair
& Replacement Cost Analysis – A
detailed cost analysis will be provided
for items in need of repair or replacement
in the short term. Know the cost
ramifications for significant items
such as roof replacement, air conditioning
replacement or esoteric items such
as mold remediation or drain line
repairs. |
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Photo
Journal – An extensive
collection of exterior and interior
photos will be supplied in order
to better understand the condition
of the property. Use these photos
as reference for the closing day
walk through as well as an historical
reference of the property’s features. |
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Walk
Through at Closing – We
will join you on the day of closing
to ensure that any issues that require
resolution have been met. Any open
issues will be documented for presentation
at closing. |
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Dedicated
Consultant – A single inspection
consultant will conduct and coordinate
all inspection services and be a
single point of contact. |
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Report
Distribution - All reports
will be distributed via hard copy,
email and CD ROM. |
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Cost
for the Elite Home Inspection is
$1,500 for homes up to 10,000 square
feet. |
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How an Inspection is Conducted.
The
inspection starts outside. Many
exterior issues can directly affect
the interior of the home. Negative
grade. Inadequate venting. Downspout
discharge. Window frame damage.
These types of deficiencies can
and will cause problems within the
home, often in areas where the problems
are not visible.
Once inside, we begin the plumbing flood test. The entire plumbing system is put to work, checking water pressure, making sure the distribution lines, waste pipes and plumbing hardware work properly together. The structural integrity of the foundation, floor structure and roof build are evaluated. We assess foundation fatigue, joist cracks, floor slopes, ridge sag and settlement concerns.
The proper operation of the mechanical systems of the property are essential. We will inspect and operate the furnace and air conditioning equipment. The heat exchanger is the most critical part of the furnace. Corrosion and soot buildup can and will compromise the function, longevity and safety elements of the furnace. The air conditioning system is comprised of the evaporative coil, exterior compressor and air handling equipment. Each unit must operate in harmony. The electrical system will be evaluated from entry point to outlet. The main electrical panel cover plate is removed to check the circuit wiring. Double taps, grounding, loose wiring and ground fault protection is all evaluated and reported.
The interior elements of the property will be pain-stakingly inspected. All windows will be operated to ensure functionality. Electrical outlets are checked for proper wiring and grounding. Door frames and window frames evaluated for settlement and installation. Garage door retraction system checked. All appliances remaining with the property operated and inspected. Drywall finishes are evaluated for moisture infiltration and damage. Fireplace flues and dampers are inspected and operated. We’ll even check the doorbell.
Insulation and venting levels will be observed within the attic. Most homes built before 1980 have insufficient levels of both insulation and venting which can result in energy loss, mold growth and decking decay. If these issues need to be improved, we’ll show you how.
After the evaluation of all these facets, a report is written, digital photos downloaded, and a hard copy printed. We will review the report in its entirety with you on-site. Page by page. We encourage questions and will take as much time as necessary to teach you about your new property and how to properly care for it. |
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