Q. What exactly is a home inspection?
A. A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe the physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need major repairs or replacement.
Premier Inspection Services performs professional home inspections that exceed the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) "standards of practice". The inspector will perform a complete and through inspection utilizing the most advanced inspecting equipment. The inspection will take approximately 3 hours. Our thorough home inspection reports will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.
Our focus is to ensure proper installation, functionality, safety
and if any repairs or replacements need to be made.
Q.How do I pay for my inspection?
A. An email of the Pre-Inspection Agreement and a link to pay by credit card will be sent to you after scheduling your inspection. We accept cash, check, credit or debit card (MasterCard, Visa) if paying by credit or debit card, payments are to be made prior to the inspection in order to receive your report onsite, either over the phone with our staff or using our secure web site. If you can not attend the inspection, you will need to pay by credit card. We also accept payment at closing, which means our fee is added into your closing costs. A pay at closing fee of $75 is added to the total bill for this convenience.
Q. What if I have questions after the inspection takes place?
A. We encourage you to ask all the questions you want at the inspection. However, should you have additional questions or concerns after the inspection, please feel free to call or email our office. Some of our clients call our office with specific and general questions well after the inspection takes place. The inspector is also available for a complete phone consultation to go over your report in detail if you are unable to attend the inspection. We believe client support during the inspection and beyond is one of the many reasons that our company is so successful.
Q. What if I need the inspector to come back and inspect repairs that have been made?
A. We offer a re-inspection after each inspection that is performed. The inspector will have a copy of the original report and will verify that all requested repairs have been made properly. We will also issue another report based on our findings of the re-inspection. However, there is an additional charge for this inspection. Please call our office with enough advanced notice (usually1-2 days) to schedule a re-inspection.
Q. What is a Pre-Inspection Agreement?
A. A Pre-Inspection Agreement is a document that describes the inspection process and payment terms, this document will need to be signed or accepted on our website or at the time of inspection by the client paying for the inspection of the property. If you will not be attending the inspection, we ask that the Pre-Inspection Agreement be accepted and signed prior to the date of the inspection. An email of the Pre-Inspection Agreement and a link to pay by credit card will be sent to you after scheduling your inspection; Agreement must be accepted and retuned. If needed we can also fax the agreement to be signed and returned prior to the inspection date.
Q. Why should I choose Premier Inspection Services?
A. Premier Inspection Services is committed to providing our clients with the highest level of service possible. We pride ourselves as one of the better inspection companies in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area with over 15 years of industry experience, competitive pricing and outstanding service throughout the inspection process. When you call Premier Inspection Services, you'll always talk to a "live" person that is employed by our company who can assist you with any questions. You will not get lost in some complex voice mail system or answering service. Not only do we have experience in performing home inspections, we help homeowners with analysis and solutions of specific problems, such as wet basements, energy conservation and cracked foundations. So be sure and call our office to schedule your next home inspection.
Q. What is the American Society of Home Inspectors?
A. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is the oldest and leading non-profit professional association for independent home inspectors. Since its formation in 1976, ASHI's "Standards of Practice" has severed as the home inspector's performance guideline, universally recognized and accepted by professional and government authorities alike. ASHI Members subscribe to a professional "Code of Ethics" that prohibits them from engaging in conflict of interest activities, which might compromise their objectivity. This is the consumer's assurance that the inspector will not, for example, use the inspection to solicit repair work. In order to assist home inspectors in furthering their education, ASHI sponsors a number of technical seminars and workshops throughout the year, often in cooperation with one of the nearly 50 Chapters. ASHI also serves as a public interest group by providing accurate and helpful consumer information to home buyers on home purchasing and home maintenance.
Q. Who belongs to ASHI?
A. Members of ASHI are independent professional home inspectors who have met the most rigorous technical and experience requirements in effect today. To become an ASHI Member, an inspector must pass two different written technical exams, have performed a minimum of 250 professional fee-paid home inspections, and maintained his or her candidate status for no less than six months. ASHI Members are required to follow the Society's "Code of Ethics", and to obtain continuing education credits in order to keep current with the latest in building technology, materials, and professional skills.
Q. Do new homes need an inspection?
A. Definitely! Many homebuyers are led to believe that the county or municipality inspection and the final walk-through with the builder's representative is an adequate way to inspect a home. Most county or municipality inspectors spend no more than 30 minutes at a home site. The builder's final walk-through inspection is very unlikely to disclose any problems with the home they built as some repairs can prove to be expensive. A certified ASHI home inspector will spend 2-3 hours during a typical inspection and could save thousands of dollars in repairs later on. Homeowners will have to correct defects that were present at the time of construction when they sell their homes in the future. We also offer a One-Year Inspection to assist the homeowner in negotiating builder warranty issues.
Q. Why do I need a home inspection?
A. Buying a home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, you will want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing house before you buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversight, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will know more about the house, which will allow you to make decisions with confidence. If you already are a homeowner, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs. If you're planning to sell your home, a home inspection can give you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.
Q. Can I perform the home inspection myself?
Q. Can a house fail a home inspection?
A. A home inspection is not a pass/fail exam. It is different even from a home appraisal, as a home inspection does not assess the dollar value of a home. A home inspection is designed to assess the home’s complete condition as well as the need for repairs or replacements. Therefore, there is no pass or fail.
Q. When should I call a home inspector?
A. In most real estate cases, a home inspector is called after the purchase agreement has been signed. It is important for potential home buyers to ensure that there is an inspection clause in the contract that makes the final purchase contingent upon the results of the professional home inspection.
Q. Should I be there during the inspection?
A. It’s not required, but it is recommended. Throughout the inspection, you will be able to ask questions and you will learn about the condition of your home and the best ways to maintain it. Never pass up this opportunity to see your prospective home through the eyes of a professional.
Q. What if the inspection identifies problems with my home?
A. No house is without at least some flaws. When problems are identified it doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t buy the house. It just allows you to know in advance what to expect. If you are on a tight budget, or you do not want to incur immediate repair work, this information will be important to you. Often the buyers and sellers will work together to negotiate repairs or to adjust the asking price.
Q. The inspector determined that the home was in good condition. Did I really need an inspection?
Just as you regularly service your car, go to the doctor and have dental checkups, a house is in need of regular maintenance. If your home is revealed to be in good condition, this will give you peace of mind. If you are considering purchasing a home, you can now do so with confidence. If you are the current homeowner, you now know that your home is well-maintained and no costly problems are lurking around the corner.
Q. During the home inspection, several areas were found to need maintenance. Do you offer a repair service?
A. No. This is a conflict of interest that could compromise the impartial, unbiased inspection. In addition, the American Society of Home Inspectors’ code of ethics expressly prohibits its members from soliciting repair work on properties inspected. The ASHI code of ethics is designed to make sure the inspector has the client’s best interests in mind and not their own.
Q. Does a home inspector carry insurance?
A. Yes, at Premier Inspections we carry general liability, errors and omissions and agent/broker referral indemnity insurance.
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