What to expect on inspection day.
I will arrive at the property address about 15-30 minutes early and start setting up. This gives me time to get a feel for the property, get some beauty shots for the report, and create a plan-of-attack. Once you arrive and after our meet and greet, we will discuss the order of operations and then we can get going on the inspection. During the inspection, I work closely with my clients; you are welcome to shadow me. At the end of the inspection, I will take you on a tour and point out any major issues that were discovered and possible remediation.
Does the client need to be present during the inspection?
No, I do like to directly show my client what was uncovered during the inspection but it all is included in the final report anyway. You are always welcome to contact me after the inspection for a debrief as well.
Are the homeowners present during inspection?
Typically no; I cannot however, dictate that they not be present but the discussions between myself and my client(s) are confidential as are the inspection results.
How long does an inspection take?
A house less than 2000 sq/ft typically will take about 3 hours. It could take longer depending on how many issues are discovered or if there is an active engagement with my client.
How do you inspect the roof?
Getting on the roof and inspecting it up close is arguably the most effective way to evaluate its condition. From this vantage point, defects within the roofing system are far easier to identify. An up-close inspection also allows for tactile and visual feedback that cannot be obtained from the ground. For example, soft roof decking, brittle shingles, cracked or improperly installed flashing, deteriorated rubber seals around penetrations, and improperly placed fasteners are often difficult, if not impossible, to accurately assess using other inspection methods. There are situations where the roof is unsafe to walk on or the roof covering could be damaged if walked on. In these scenarios, from the roof edge on a ladder, I use a camera with an extendable pole (DocaPole) to gain up close visuals of the roof components.
Do you open the electric panel(s) for your inspection?
Yes, this is an example of going above and beyond over the Standards of Practice. Some I things that I look for inside an electric panel are mis-sized conductors, loose conductors, evidence of overheated conductors, scorching, and overall condition of the panel. This would be impossible without removing the dead front (panel cover).
Why isn’t the report available before you leave the property?
When I get back to my office, I take the time to review all the collected data to provide meaningful insights.
- Pictures: It takes time to edit, crop, adjust, and organize the pictures so that only the relevant information is displayed and sequenced in an order that tells a story. This helps the context of found defects.
- Narrative: The comments that I provide are specific for the inspected property. I don’t use generic comments from a dropdown list that only generally apply.