Why should I choose Five Star Home Inspections?
Five Star Home Inspections is a leader in the inspection industry, and is a Certified Member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). We are also certified in Radon testing. We use only top of the line equipment for home inspections and radon testing because we know how important these results are to our clients’ well being. Our pricing is very competitive within the industry, and we have a very flexible schedule to perform inspections. We are fully insured with General Liability and E & O Insurance. We voluntarily go above and beyond the standards of ASHI. We provide one of the best reports in the business. All reports are computerized with digital pictures and completed on site. We also provide clients with a handy maintenance book and environmental book to help clients maintain a longer lasting and healthy home. We will always support our clients to the best of our ability, before, during, and after the inspection, so the inspection process will be easy for our clients.
Does a brand new house need an inspection?
Absolutely! Most builders try to provide a high quality house, but they have to balance that with staying competitive. For builders, it often comes down to ‘survival of the cheapest’. Much work is done by sub-contractors. A construction boom in recent years has caused a shortage of skilled labor. Coordinating schedules between different trades is a juggling act. New products are constantly being introduced into the market adding even more confusion.
Municipal inspectors try to do a good job but they’re vastly overworked, often looking at dozens of houses each day. A thorough home inspection takes hours, not minutes. Municipal inspectors simply don’t have the manpower to find all the construction defects.
How much does a home inspection cost?
The cost of a home inspection is often a small fraction of the cost of the problems discovered — truly the deal of a lifetime! Our pricing is very competitive. We are not the cheapest nor are we the most expensive. If you are shopping for price only, you are taking a major risk. When shopping for any service always check the company’s credentials and expertise.
Call 913-219-8634 for pricing.
Why do some of your home inspection competitors cost less?
All home inspectors are not equal. You only have one chance to get a good home inspection. You don’t want cheap — you want the best home inspection possible! Saving a few bucks by using a bargain-priced home inspector could cost you thousands of dollars in repair costs in the long run.
What’s included in the home inspection?
For a more specific list, take a look at our services. But in general, a home inspection is a visual evaluation of the major systems in the house including:
- Structure
- Roof
- Exterior
- Heating/Cooling
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Interior
As long as it’s safe and accessible we’ll:
- Walk on roofs
- Enter attics and crawl spaces
- Remove access panels
- Operate equipment
We’ll look at every room in the house using the Standards of Practice of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI®).
May I attend the home inspection?
Yes, you should attend the inspection to get the most benefit. Be suspicious of any home inspector who doesn’t want you along during the inspection.
When should I call to schedule the inspection?
As soon as possible after you have a signed purchase contract. We’re often scheduled a week or more in advance, so make sure that your purchase contract has plenty of time for you to get repair estimates for major problems that may show up during the inspection.
For newly constructed homes, schedule the inspection a few days before your walk-through with the builder so that you’ll have our written report in your hands during the walk-through. You should schedule warranty inspections at least a month before your warranty expires.
How do I prepare for the home inspection?
Preparing for the inspection is easy. Be ready to follow us around the home and ask questions about your home. You may want to bring a notepad and pen to take notes. All deficiencies are listed on our reports but there are some maintenance items (i.e. like when to change a furnace filter) that will not be on the inspection report.
When will the inspection report be ready?
All inspection reports are completed on-site. They are all computerized with digital photos. All inspection reports will be e-mailed the same day. We want you to have a full understanding of the home when you leave the inspection.
What if the inspection reveals problems?
We may find things that weren’t expected. That’s what you want, right? No house is perfect, not even new construction. The report is not a seller’s “Must-Fix” list; it’s just an impartial reporting of condition giving you clear direction for what should be done about each problem. Every situation is different — it’s up to you and your real estate agent to decide how to proceed after the inspection.
Are there limitations to the home inspection?
Yes, we can’t see through walls or predict the future! If we could do either of those, we’d be in another line of work earning a lot more money.
Keep in mind that a home inspection lasts only a few hours, and it’s not technically exhaustive. A home inspection is not an appraisal or a check for compliance with building codes, and it’s not an evaluation for any biological or environmental hazards.
See the ASHI Standards of Practice for more information on the limitations of an inspection.
Do you offer a guarantee?
No. Something can look just fine today and still break tomorrow. We do our best to give you the most thorough inspection possible. If you want a home warranty they are available through other sources. Review the warranty carefully to determine what the warranty covers.
But some of your competitors offer a guarantee!
If you think you’re going to get a meaningful guarantee from another home inspector then you need to get the fine print and read it very carefully. Most guarantees from home inspectors are only marketing gimmicks that are riddled with loopholes.
Will Five Star Inspections perform or manage any repair work?
No. That would be a direct conflict of interest.
Are you certified?
Our home inspections are Certified Members of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the oldest, largest and most respected professional society in the industry.
What if I have questions later?
Your understanding of the home is our highest priority. You can ask questions for as long as you own your home.