Frequently Asked Questions

(Q) Why Should I Choose Detect-It Real Estate Inspections?
(A) The purchase of a new home is one of the most significant investments a family can make. Getting a new home inspection allows the buyer to receive an unbiased, professional opinion to help determine the current condition of the house. An inspection will help foresee any immediate conditions that need to be addressed and touch on areas that could become a problem in the future. This helps save money both immediately and in the future while also helping greatly with any settlement negotiations.

(Q) How Long Will The Inspection Take?
(A) Most inspections take an average of 2-4 hours depending on the home size or things being inspected, not including the time needed to prepare a report. The time can vary based on the size and condition of the property. Attics and crawl spaces must be accessible or we won’t be able to access these areas.

(Q) When My Bank Has The House Appraised, Should I Still Have The Home Inspected?
(A) Absolutely! The bank’s appraisal is an independent evaluation of the current market value of the property. The appraiser works for the bank while we work for you, helping you save time and money with a realistic, unbiased inspection of your property’s current condition.

(Q) Does A Brand New House Need An Inspection?
(A) Absolutely! Most builders try to provide a high-quality house, but they have to balance that with staying competitive. For builders, it often comes down to ‘survival of the cheapest’. Much work is done by sub-contractors. A construction boom in recent years has caused a shortage of skilled labor. Coordinating schedules between different trades is a juggling act. New products are constantly being introduced into the market adding even more confusion.

Municipal inspectors try to do a good job, but they’re vastly overworked, often looking at dozens of houses each day. A thorough home inspection takes hours, not minutes. Municipal inspectors simply don’t have the manpower to find all the construction defects.

(Q) How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost?
(A) The price of the inspection is determined by the size and age of the house and any other buildings. The price of any other additional testing that you want to be performed at the time of the inspection will be added to the price of the inspection. Call us for a quote. (If you’re a home buyer, it will be helpful to have a copy of the listings available when you call.)

(Q) Why Do Some Of Your Competitors Cost Less?
(A) All home inspectors are not equal. You only have one chance to get a proper home inspection. You don’t want cheap — you want the best home inspection possible! Saving a few bucks by using a bargain-priced home inspector could cost you thousands of dollars in repair costs in the long run.

(Q) What’s Included In The Inspection?
(A) The home inspection is, by definition, a visual overview of the entire home and all of its integral systems. This includes all of the following:

• Exterior
• Roof
• Structure
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Ventilation
• Insulation
• Heating and Cooling
• Interior
• Fixed Appliances
• Attic
• Crawl Space (if present)
• Fireplace

(Q) May I Attend The Inspection?
(A) We invite you to be present during the inspection, though it’s not necessary. Your presence allows you to see what our inspector is noting and the chance to ask any questions you may have. We know this is not possible for many people due to time constraints, so rest assured that we will provide you with a very detailed report whether you’re present or not.

(Q) When Should I Call To Schedule The Inspection?
(A) As soon as possible after you have a signed purchase contract. We’re often scheduled a week or more in advance, so make sure that your purchase contract has plenty of time for you to get repair estimates for major problems that may show up during the inspection.

For newly constructed homes, schedule the inspection a few days before your walk-through with the builder so that you’ll have our written report in your hands during the walk-through. You should schedule warranty inspections at least a month before your warranty expires.

(Q) How Do I Prepare For The Inspection?
(A) Preparing for the inspection is easy. Be ready to follow us around the home. You may want to bring a notepad and pen to take notes. All deficiencies are listed on our reports but there are some maintenance items (i.e. like when to change a furnace filter) that will not be on the inspection report.

(Q) When Will The Report Be Ready?
(A) All inspections are sent by email the morning following the inspection. All of our inspection reports are computerized with digital photos. All inspection reports will be e-mailed. We want you to have a full understanding of the home when you review the inspection report.

(Q) What is a WDO Inspection?
(A) A WDO inspection stands for Wood Destroying Organism and is commonly referred to as a Termite Inspection. The WDO inspection does determine if there is evidence of previous or current termite damage, but it also looks for any other organism that could destroy wood elements of the home. Included in that is moisture that can ruin wood over time.

(Q) What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept all major credit card payments through a secure link that is sent to you in your confirmation email. We also accept credit card, check and cash payment at the time of the inspection. Reports are published only after payment has been received.

(Q) What If The Inspection Reveals Problems?
(A) We may find things that weren’t expected. That’s what you want, right? No house is perfect, not even new construction. The report is not a seller’s “Must-Fix” list; it’s just an impartial reporting of the condition. Every situation is different — it’s up to you and your real estate agent to decide how to proceed after the inspection.

(Q) Are There Limitations To The Inspection?
(A) Yes, we can’t see through walls or predict the future! If we could do either of those, we’d be in another line of work earning a lot more money. Keep in mind that a home inspection lasts only a few hours, and it’s not technically exhaustive. A home inspection is not an appraisal or a check for compliance with building codes and it’s not an evaluation for any biological or environmental hazards.

(Q) Do You Offer A Guarantee?
(A) Please refer to the following page for our guarantee. Click Here

(Q) What If I Have Questions Later?
(A) Your understanding of the home is my highest priority. You can ask questions for as long as you own your home.