What is a Home Inspection?

The home buying and selling process can be confusing and stressful. Not only do you need to consider things such as price and location, you also have to consider whether the house itself has any problems that could become costly surprises down the road in addition to normal repairs and maintenance that comes with owning a home.

The Home Inspection is an unbiased, visual, professional assessment of the condition of the house at the time of the inspection. It provides you an expert opinion and professional report on the condition of the physical structure and various systems within a house. Giving you peace of mind on what is likely the largest purchase you will make.

In order to prepare the report, an inspector must conduct a visual inspection of the house. The inspection process typically takes about 3 hours to complete. This of course may vary, according to the size and condition of the home. We strongly encourage you to accompany the inspector during the inspection. This will give you a chance to ask questions and become familiar with the systems of the home.

At Capitol Inspection Services, LLC, I will inspect all the structural elements and systems of the home. Items that will typically include:

	Exterior          Siding, flashings, trim          Decks, balconies, stairway, porches          Draining and grading, driveways, walkways          Eaves, soffits, fascia          Windows and doors
	Roof          Roofing materials — we walk on the roof if safe          Gutters, downspouts, valleys          Flashing          Skylights, chimneys, vents, other penetrations
	Plumbing          Water pipes, all fixtures and faucets          Drain, waste, and vent system          Water heaters          Vent systems, flues, chimneys          Gas pipe          Sump pumps, sump pits, related piping
	Electrical          Service drop, conductors, cables, raceways          Service equipment — I always open electrical panels          Conductors, circuit breakers or fuses          Outlets, switches, lights, GFCI & AFCI devices
	Heating Systems          Furnaces, boilers, any other permanently installed heat source          Vent system, flues, chimneys          Heating equipment, controls,          Fans, ducts, pumps, filters
	Air Conditioning Systems          Air handling equipment, fans, ducts, registers          Service disconnects          Condensate drain lines          Air Filters
	Interior          Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors          Stairways, handrails, guardrails          Countertops, cabinets          Garage doors, garage door openers
	Insulation and Ventilation          Attic, basement, and crawl space insulation          Vapor barriers          Attic ventilation          Mechanical ventilation systems
	Fireplaces          Vent systems, flues, chimneys          Hearths and hearth extensions          Dampers, fire boxes          Doors and screens
	Structure          Crawl spaces — Foundations, floor and wall structure          Attics — Ceiling Structure, roof structure          Basements          Foundation

With so much time, money and emotional energy invested in the purchase of your house, you'll want it professionally evaluated by an expert home inspector. As an independent inspector, I am trained to evaluate the house's major systems and structural integrity. I will provide a comprehensive written report identifying areas that may need some follow up and items that need some typical repair and maintenance that are a normal part of home ownership.

When the inspection is complete, I'll tell you of any concerns that I've discovered and discuss them with you. I will also tell you about any routine maintenance that should be performed, and I'll answer any questions you may have. You'll also receive a full written report of the inspection.

My goal is to discover and inform you of anything I find that might affect your purchase decision. I will tell you about any problems I find, and make repair recommendations. I will also inform you of what maintenance tasks are required to keep the home and its systems in top condition.

This is your opportunity to insure you are making a sound investment. Let me be there to help. Contact Paul Hughet at Capitol Inspection Services, LLC today!

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