When I take a phone call for inspection services, the first question people usually have is "How much do you charge?" Good question. The only problem is that "One size fits all" doesn't work with socks or underwear and it shouldn't be expected to work with inspection services. I'm not sure what services you require, whether the home is 2000 square feet or 20,000 square feet, in the same town or 100 miles away, nor how many visits I'll have to make to the home to complete the services.

When you call inspection companies for information about inspections, ask to talk to the inspector who will do your inspection. If you can't "speak to the inspector," (get past the receptionist) it's time to call the next company. Why would you want to talk anyone but the person who will perform the services? Only a qualified and experienced inspector can properly answer questions about the services you needs, or do not need, and explain pricing options. The clerk or operator who may answer the phone is hardly qualified to discuss your needs.

If you are looking for the cheapest inspection, you can always find cheap inspections. The "newbie" right out of inspection school who may have no construction background as well as "part-timers" whose business is on a downward spiral will almost always be the "cheapest guys in town." Statistically, ½ of new inspectors don't last 12 months and 1/3 of all inspectors go out of business each year. Not much doubt who they are, is there? Cross your fingers if you have a question about something in a few months. The part-timers are easy to spot. They only do inspections on certain days or between certain hours.

When it comes to the inspection report, you can expect cheap inspections to produce cheap reports. Your will rarely find anything other than a 4 to 5 page handwritten checklist or a computerized, point and click checklist that they often print out at the inspection. If your cheap inspection is over in an hour or if your inspector spends all of his time writing an "on-site: report, you should be beginning to think that you got just what you paid for, a cheap inspection.

My home inspections usually take 3+ hours in all but the "really well kept homes." The time is spent taking notes, photos, explaining the homes systems and components, and answering questions. The general home inspection report takes an additional 3 hours to write once I return to the office. My report does not take the "easy road" and defer every item to a "specialist" nor does it nit-pick inconsequential or irrelevant items to make it look like I'm earning my fee. It contains full mechanical and structural evaluation as well as information such as design life (expected longevity) of systems and components as well as estimated ages of these components so that you can budget for these items when they will likely need replacement. My report will discuss general maintenance items and preventive maintenance procedures as well as explain how you can do many of these minor repairs yourself. My report also includes safety upgrades that are recommended with the safety of your family and others in mind.

You are likely spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on your new home. For most people, a home is the largest investment and responsibility they will ever take on. Does it not make sense to get the best inspection you can get rather that to try to save $50 or $100 on the cheapest inspector you can find?

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Bureau of Radiation Protection, Radon Division
PA Certified Radon Testing I. D. # 2475

The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)
Member I. D. # 22258

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
Member I. D. # 040 92172

Environmental Solutions Association (ESA)
Member I. D. # 1353
Certified Mold Inspector and Assessor (CMIA)
Certified Allergen Inspector (CAI)
Certified Indoor Air Quality Technician (CIAQT)
Master Indoor Environmental Specialist (MIES)

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Pesticide Applicator I. D. # 704687
Termites and Wood Destroying Insects

ProLab Professional Partners Program
Membership Number PLP119878

CMC Energy Services - Energy Audits - Home TuneuP Inspections
Inspector ID# 6244

Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR)
Neighborhood Environmental Reports®

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