Before Inspections

Frequently asked questions for buyers of properties before their inspections take place.

How to Pay & Sign Agreements

When you or your agent has requested the inspection online, you will receive a Request Confirmation Email which will let you know the request has been made– this is just to alert you that everything has been received by us and we will get everything...

Read More

About Commercial Property Inspections

Why Home Inspectors are the best Commercial Property Inspectors There isn’t a state licensing program for Commercial Property Inspectors.  The best resource for Commercial Property Inspections is a State Licensed Home Inspector that is insured to perform Commercial Inspections and has the relevant experience and...

Read More

How do I pay?

You will receive an email invoice with a ‘pay now’ button.  Search your inbox for emails from Spectora or Builder Buddy as an email may have already been delivered.  Follow the instructions on the email to pay by credit or debit card.  You will also...

Read More

Should I Order a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection?

What is a WDI? Real Estate inspections for termites and other wood-destroying insects are called WDI Inspections or by the State of North Carolina– WDI stands for Wood Destroying Insects.  These inspections are colloquially known as ‘Termite’ Inspections or ‘Pest’ inspections, but these terms can...

Read More

Buying New Construction Homes – Tips from a Home Inspector

Buying a new construction home is a great opportunity for buyers who seek clean, low maintenance, and modern living with fewer surprises.  Some buyers will have an opportunity to select finishes and other features of the home before it is complete.  Even new construction homes...

Read More

Buying a Modular Home

What is a Modular home (and what it isn’t) Modular homes have components that are partially built off-site in a factory which are then assembled and finished on site.  Modular homes have standard foundation systems and otherwise are just like site-built homes.  Modular homes are...

Read More

Buying a House 15 years or newer

Generally, newer homes are relatively low maintenance for the first 12 years.  Typically our talking points of a newer home inspection are about some of the aging components (especially as the house approaches 15 years old) maintenance and repairs (or lack thereof) and if applicable,...

Read More

Buying a 15-25 Year Old Home

When buying a 15-25 year old home buyers should consider aging components, installation defects, maintenance and repair neglect, and any additions, renovations or repairs.

Read More

Should I Order A Mold Test?

Should I Order a Mold Test or a Mold Evaluation? Start with an Inspection: When there are indoor air quality concerns we recommend starting with a Home Inspection or a Mold Evaluation first.  Anything that causes moisture can cause mold which is why our inspectors...

Read More

Should I Order A Radon Test?

https://youtu.be/Fy_kzWL5TYcYes, Radon testing is recommended for all houses in all areas of Western North Carolina regardless of foundation type.  Homes on slabs and basements tend to have higher radon test results than crawl spaces but homes with all foundation types can test high for radon....

Read More

When should I order a Well Inspection? What is included?

Should I order a well inspection? Well inspections are recommended for all homes with well water (or Springs if there is a pressure system equipment present). Well inspections are separate from water testing (both are highly recommended).  Water testing evaluates the quality of water while the well inspection...

Read More

When should I order water testing?

Homes with Well Water:  Full scan water testing is recommended for all homes with well water (if the seller cannot provide a recent water test result within one year). The Premium Full Scan water test includes Total Coliform, E. Coli, Nitrite, Nitrate, Lead, pH, Total...

Read More

FHA and VA Loan Requirements for Inspections and Testing

What are typical FHA and VA requirements for inspections & testing? Below are the most common FHA/VA loan requirements- only the wood destroying insect inspection applies to all homes.   Ask your lender for more information: All homes and detached buildings Wood Destroying Insect Inspections  FHA/VA...

Read More

How should radon be tested or monitored? Can I test myself?

What are acceptable ways to test for radon? According to the EPA there are only two acceptable ways to test for radon during a real estate transaction: A 48 hour test with a certified and calibrated radon monitor  (these are very expensive and must be...

Read More

Additional Water Testing

Additional Water Testing – Does the water test cover everything? The full scan water test that we offer tests for a panel of contaminants that are commonly found in our area.  In some cases buyers/homeowners may be concerned with less common contaminants such as radioactive...

Read More

What’s Included In An Inspection?

What is inspected in a Home Inspection? Structural components Exterior Roofing Plumbing Electrical HVAC Interiors Insulation & Ventilation Built-in Appliances   Can I view a sample report? You can find sample reports here which will give you a good idea of what an inspection report may...

Read More

Signs of Possible Air Quality Issues

Indicators of air quality issues- when should I suspect an issue? Smell Our noses are a great tool– a musty smell can indicate an air quality issue- especially at basements and lower level living areas. Visible Signs in Crawl Spaces and Unfinished Basements Stringy insulation,...

Read More

Are Oil Tanks included in a Home Inspection Report?

Are Oil Tanks included in a Home Inspection Report? Oil tanks are beyond the scope of a home inspection.  If evidence of an oil tank happens to be observed during our home inspection an informational item will be present in the report however we do...

Read More

HVAC Evaluations

Our HVAC evaluations are performed by a 3rd party (our service partners All About Heat & Air)- you will be provided with a PDF document with pictures and an estimate for repairs.  The inspection of an HVAC system by a home inspector is limited while...

Read More

Finding Appointment Information

You can find your appointment information in your appointment confirmation email and subsequent reminder emails. Search your inbox for Builder Buddy or Spectora (Spectora is our inspection software).  You will also see prompts on your Spectora dashboard. If you recently filled out our online form...

Read More

Signing Agreements

You will be required to sign agreements for most of our services- you can see and sign all of your agreements in one place by following the prompts on our emails (you can search your inbox for Builder Buddy or Spectora– Spectora is our inspection...

Read More

Availability Information

With our new online scheduler you can see up-to-date availabilities on our calendar and choose your inspector.  You will need to provide some basic information first. In some cases we are holding a date for you: If you do not see the date we agreed upon on the...

Read More