Types of Home Inspections
All Alpha Check Inspections follow the ASHI® Standards of Practice and provide an in-depth review of the condition of the building including the structural and mechanical systems, as well as cosmetic features in advance of any sale (see Sample Home Inspection Report and What do we inspect?)
Take the ASHI Virtual Home Inspection Tour to see and hear what a professional home inspection is all about. Learn about some common problems discovered during the home inspection with our virtual home inspection tour. Launch the tour now.
Pre-purchase Home Inspections for Buyers – Understanding your new home
These home inspections are for home buyers buying a pre-owned home.
The inspection provides a broad review of the interior and exterior components of the home and covers all visible mechanical, structural, plumbing and electrical systems including roof, grading and drainage and many other items. These inspections generally take around 2 to 4 hours to perform depending upon the condition and size of the property.
Our primary goal is to protect your investment and help you reduce your risk.
This means making sure you are comfortable and fully informed about the conditions found and their implications with regard to the purchase of your new house.
Pre-Sale Home Inspections by Seller / Homeowner
By performing the inspection prior to marketing the home, the seller/homeowner is able to respond to specfic areas of concern and make the house more marketable. The seller/homeowner can make repairs and/or upgrades or they can just disclose the issues to potential buyers.
This results in a quicker, more profitable sale with less potential delays. For you as a seller/homeowner, this service allows full recognition of potential problem areas and a route of resolution. The bonus is that the Buyer cannot attempt to renegotiate price or ask for credits because the issues were fully disclosed to them.
The Inspector is also available for consultation at any time and to answer any questions that may arise during the sale process.
The presale inspection includes (by request) a follow-up visit to verify that repairs were made and allow for updating the report by removing the issues that are no longer present. This gives the potential home buyer a precise view of the home’s condition at the time of the sale.
Estate Home Inspections
By performing the inspection prior to marketing the home, the seller’s Estate is able to respond to specific areas of concern and make the house more marketable. The seller’s Estate can make repairs and/or upgrades or they can better fully disclose the issues to potential buyers.
This results in a quicker, more profitable sale with less potential delays. For you as the estate administrator, this service allows full recognition of potential problem areas and a route of resolution. The bonus is that the Buyer cannot attempt to renegotiate price or ask for credits because the issues were fully disclosed to them.
The presale inspection includes (by request) a follow-up visit to verify that repairs were made and allow for updating the report by removing the issues that are no longer present. This gives the potential home buyer a precise view of the home’s condition at the time of the sale.
New Construction Inspections (Framing Inspection, Walk-Thru Inspection)
Alpha Check Inspections offers the full range of construction inspections for your new home.
We recommend at least TWO inspections to review the home at specific intervals or phases during construction to insure that the work is performed in an appropriate, workmanlike manner. Inspections should be performed after rough framing, plumbing and electrical “rough-in” are completed (before installation of insulation and wallboard), and after final completion of home (Move-in condition a few days before settlement). We also perform inspections for homeowners before their 1 year home warranty runs out.
“Why does a newly constructed home need an inspection? I always thought a new construction is perfect and safe!”
Even builders with the best reputation subcontract the majority of tasks (foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, etc.) out to the lowest bidder, with speed, not quality being an important consideration. With many separate activities going on at the same time, it’s nearly impossible for the builder to personally monitor all phases of the home construction.
The general assumption that the builder and contractors are overseen by state or local government officials and that the local town or city building inspector checks the house out, is only partially true. Besides code violations, there could be problems with the home that have serious consequences for the new home owner. Ask any ASHI® home inspector about the deficiencies and safety issues discovered in newly constructed homes!
Be aware that some builders have prevented ASHI® home inspectors from inspecting newly built houses. If you are in the process of buying a new home and the builder does not allow you to bring your own home inspector on site, this poses a couple of questions; “Why won’t the builder allow the home inspector on site?” What does the builder have to hide? At this point you should be thinking hard about proceeding with the purchase and you should also be consulting with your attorney.If a home buyer has missed the opportunity to have an inspection during the construction phase and final walk through, there may be time to come in afterwards. Most new builders offer a warranty period for the new homeowner, however, there are usually many items not covered by the warranty as well as limitations on those that are.
Framing Inspection
The inspector will walk through the home, observing, evaluating and discussing all visible components. At this time the inspector will be observing the “skeleton” of the building and will be looking for anomalies that are present. Anomalies include improper or incomplete installation of the framing components and mechanical “rough-in”. This inspection is critical because everything viewed during this inspection will be enclosed and concealed behind drywall and insulation.
Walk-Thru Inspection
During this inspection, the inspector is performing a more typical home inspection as required by the ASHI® Standards of Practice. However, this inspection is more intense and more than a sampling of components are inspected. For example, every window and door is opened and closed and checked for proper operation and fit. Every cabinet door is opened and checked and workmanship issues throughout the building are very closely scrutinized. The client is buying new and expects everything to be perfect. Though this is not a “code inspection” the building code is often referenced as justification for identifying a particular defect.
Warranty Inspections: Getting the most out of your warranty from the builder
“Why does a recently constructed home need a warranty inspection? I always thought a new construction is perfect and safe!”
Even builders with the best reputation subcontract the majority of tasks (foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, etc.) out to the lowest bidder, with speed, not quality being an important consideration. With many separate activities going on at the same time, it’s nearly impossible for the builder to personally monitor all phases of the home construction.
The general assumption that the builder and contractors are overseen by state or local government officials and that the local town or city building inspector checks the house out, is only partially true. Besides code violations, there could be problems with the home that have serious consequences for the new home owner. Ask any ASHI® home inspector about the deficiencies and safety issues discovered in newly constructed homes!
Be aware that some builders have prevented ASHI® home inspectors from inspecting newly built houses. If you are in the process of buying a new home and the builder does not allow you to bring your own home inspector on site, this poses a couple of questions; “Why won’t the builder allow the home inspector on site?” What does the builder have to hide? At this point you should be thinking hard about proceeding with the purchase and you should also be consulting with your attorney.
If a home buyer has missed the opportunity to have an inspection during the construction phase and final walk through, there may be time to come in afterwards. Most new builders offer a warranty period for the new homeowner, however, there are usually many items not covered by the warranty as well as limitations on those that are.
Warranty Inspections allow the new homeowner to more completely fill out the Warranty Forms provided by the builder before they ask for a release of liability. T
For Realtors
A home inspection can be used as a tool to assist in creating confidence in your client. By referring highly qualified professionals you increase your credibility and reputation by showing the home buyer that you understand the importance of this major investment.
Additionally the referring Realtor® is automatically covered under Alpha Check’s Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy.
For more info on what we inspect, please explore our website as if you were your client. We hope you will be impressed with what you see as well as our credentials.
Additionally, we are always at your disposal to handle you and your client’s questions regarding the purchase of their home even if we don’t do the inspection. We are available to answer any questions that may arise from another Inspection Companies’ Report.
We will be happy to determine if the other Inspection Company’s inspector is in full compliance with Pennsylvania State Law. You may also check yourself by going to www.phic.org for a list of compliant inspectors.
Commercial building and investment property inspections
Whether you just need a structural inspection or a full range of inspections on buildings such as offices, apartments, restaurants or investment property, Alpha Check Inspections has the experience and knowledge to help you make an educated and informed decision.