What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual examination of all the systems and parts of a house. It's like giving your
house a physical. If problems are found (or potential problems), we will often recommend further action
to remedy the situation.
Our goal is to educate you about the condition of the house, relative to its age and to other houses of
similar age. You can then make an informed buying decision.
Why do I need a home inspection?
It makes sense to find out as much as you can about a house before you buy it. Your inspection will
help you avoid costly surprises down the road. We'll also advise you about maintenance so you can
preserve your home's value.
We inspect all major systems in the house. This includes the structure, the electrical system, the
plumbing system, and the heating and cooling systems. We walk the roof and enter the attic whenever
possible. We'll help you understand what you're buying, and we'll continue to answer your questions
after the purchase.
Why can't I do the inspection myself?
Even if you're very familiar with home construction, you won't have the knowledge, training, and
experience of a full-time home inspector. Also, an inspector is impartial. If you're buying (or selling) a
house, you'll be emotionally involved in the outcome. A home inspection provides an unbiased,
objective report of the facts.
Do I need to be there?
We strongly recommend that you attend a walkthrough inspection after we've been on site for a few
hours. The walkthrough will take from one to two hours. It's a valuable learning experience and will help
you get the most out of your inspection. You'll understand the house a lot better if you view it with us at
the property. Our job is not just to inspect the property, but to educate you about the house.
How long does it take?
A typical property (under 2000 square feet) takes roughly three hours to inspect. You'll be asked to
arrive after we've been on site for a few hours. Be aware that sometimes an inspection may take longer.
Larger homes, or homes in poor condition, may take more time. We take as much time as necessary
to do a thorough inspection for you.
What if I'm SELLING my home?
If you're selling your home, a pre-listing inspection will alert you to any problems that might be
uncovered later by the buyer's inspector. Finding problems early lets you take care of them before you
list, making for a faster and smoother sale. You may also be required to get a Truth in Housing or Time
of Sale inspection, depending on what city you live in. For more on these, click here.
What happens during the inspection?
We'll point out our findings, show you the photos we've taken, and answer your questions. Let us know
about any special concerns you may have.
What are your qualifications?
What if you find problems?
No house is perfect. Most homes have items that need attention or care. If major problems are
discovered, you may want to negotiate repairs with the seller before closing the deal. Or perhaps the
seller will lower the price, or offer better terms. In any case, knowing about potential problems in
advance will enable you to make better decisions.
What are your most frequently found defects?
Evidence of water intrusion is very common, especially in basements. Most attics also show evidence
of water intrusion. Most homes have some electrical defects. These defects are sometimes age-
related but are often caused by do-it-yourself electricians.
Will you fix the problems you find during the inspection?
No. Our professional code of ethics prohibits us from doing repair work on properties we inspect. This
eliminates any conflict of interest. We'll provide an unbiased, third party report on the condition of the
home.
What else DON'T you do?
We don't see things that aren't visible, and we don't predict the future performance of items. We don't
find every minor defect in a house, as this would take much longer than three to four hours.
Another thing to remember is that a private home inspection is NOT a code compliance inspection.
There are many building codes that apply to residential construction, and no single inspector knows
them all. Also, building codes change every few years. A home inspection is a visual, performance-
based inspection. In other words, we determine if the system or component is doing what it's
supposed to do.
Check out the ASHI Standards of Practice to see what you can expect. We think you'll agree you get a lot
for your money.
Do I get a written report?
Absolutely. Your report includes color photos and illustrations, and a pre-closing checklist for your last
trip through the house before closing. If you'd like to see a sample report, just give us a call and we'll fax
or email a sample.
If the house turns out to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection?
Yes. Now you can buy with confidence. You'll have learned a lot about your new home, and you'll want to
keep that information for future reference.
What if I have questions after the inspection?
You can call us and ask questions about your new home whenever you like. Our service is a long-term
investment.
How do I schedule my inspection?
Just call us at 651-644-3999 or click here to use the online contact form for further information. We look
forward to meeting you!
A home inspection is a visual examination of all the systems and parts of a house. It's like giving your
house a physical. If problems are found (or potential problems), we will often recommend further action
to remedy the situation.
Our goal is to educate you about the condition of the house, relative to its age and to other houses of
similar age. You can then make an informed buying decision.
Why do I need a home inspection?
It makes sense to find out as much as you can about a house before you buy it. Your inspection will
help you avoid costly surprises down the road. We'll also advise you about maintenance so you can
preserve your home's value.
We inspect all major systems in the house. This includes the structure, the electrical system, the
plumbing system, and the heating and cooling systems. We walk the roof and enter the attic whenever
possible. We'll help you understand what you're buying, and we'll continue to answer your questions
after the purchase.
Why can't I do the inspection myself?
Even if you're very familiar with home construction, you won't have the knowledge, training, and
experience of a full-time home inspector. Also, an inspector is impartial. If you're buying (or selling) a
house, you'll be emotionally involved in the outcome. A home inspection provides an unbiased,
objective report of the facts.
Do I need to be there?
We strongly recommend that you attend a walkthrough inspection after we've been on site for a few
hours. The walkthrough will take from one to two hours. It's a valuable learning experience and will help
you get the most out of your inspection. You'll understand the house a lot better if you view it with us at
the property. Our job is not just to inspect the property, but to educate you about the house.
How long does it take?
A typical property (under 2000 square feet) takes roughly three hours to inspect. You'll be asked to
arrive after we've been on site for a few hours. Be aware that sometimes an inspection may take longer.
Larger homes, or homes in poor condition, may take more time. We take as much time as necessary
to do a thorough inspection for you.
What if I'm SELLING my home?
If you're selling your home, a pre-listing inspection will alert you to any problems that might be
uncovered later by the buyer's inspector. Finding problems early lets you take care of them before you
list, making for a faster and smoother sale. You may also be required to get a Truth in Housing or Time
of Sale inspection, depending on what city you live in. For more on these, click here.
What happens during the inspection?
We'll point out our findings, show you the photos we've taken, and answer your questions. Let us know
about any special concerns you may have.
What are your qualifications?
- Minnesota State Building Official certification for one- and two-family homes. This is the closest
thing Minnesota has to statewide certification for home inspectors. For more information about
MN State Certification, click here. - Regular participation in advanced training and education. We also have access to a nationwide
network of other inspectors through professional forums. - Licensed for Truth in Housing and Time of Sale evaluations in all cities that require them
(Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Maplewood, Hopkins, and South St. Paul). - Active in professional organizations including the Minnesota Society of Housing Inspectors
(MSHI). - We do not perform repairs on homes we inspect. Your report reflects our true opinion of the
property and is not influenced by the desire to get repair work.
What if you find problems?
No house is perfect. Most homes have items that need attention or care. If major problems are
discovered, you may want to negotiate repairs with the seller before closing the deal. Or perhaps the
seller will lower the price, or offer better terms. In any case, knowing about potential problems in
advance will enable you to make better decisions.
What are your most frequently found defects?
Evidence of water intrusion is very common, especially in basements. Most attics also show evidence
of water intrusion. Most homes have some electrical defects. These defects are sometimes age-
related but are often caused by do-it-yourself electricians.
Will you fix the problems you find during the inspection?
No. Our professional code of ethics prohibits us from doing repair work on properties we inspect. This
eliminates any conflict of interest. We'll provide an unbiased, third party report on the condition of the
home.
What else DON'T you do?
We don't see things that aren't visible, and we don't predict the future performance of items. We don't
find every minor defect in a house, as this would take much longer than three to four hours.
Another thing to remember is that a private home inspection is NOT a code compliance inspection.
There are many building codes that apply to residential construction, and no single inspector knows
them all. Also, building codes change every few years. A home inspection is a visual, performance-
based inspection. In other words, we determine if the system or component is doing what it's
supposed to do.
Check out the ASHI Standards of Practice to see what you can expect. We think you'll agree you get a lot
for your money.
Do I get a written report?
Absolutely. Your report includes color photos and illustrations, and a pre-closing checklist for your last
trip through the house before closing. If you'd like to see a sample report, just give us a call and we'll fax
or email a sample.
If the house turns out to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection?
Yes. Now you can buy with confidence. You'll have learned a lot about your new home, and you'll want to
keep that information for future reference.
What if I have questions after the inspection?
You can call us and ask questions about your new home whenever you like. Our service is a long-term
investment.
How do I schedule my inspection?
Just call us at 651-644-3999 or click here to use the online contact form for further information. We look
forward to meeting you!
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Frequently Asked Questions
