What is Included in Our Thorough and Complete Home Inspecions

A home inspection, by nature, is a non-invasive inspection of the home. Our industry is governed by Standards of Practice by several organizations - but we consider these a basis, not the limit of a home inspection. We go above and beyond the SOP to give you the best home inspection possible. As part of that, I include a "limited" thermal scan with all of our home inspections.

During your home inspection, we utilize thermal imaging to help us find potential hidden moisture in key areas of the home that are not visible to the human eye. Some of these areas include under bathrooms and water fixtures, under roofs, around doors and windows, and anywhere else we suspect there could be moisture intrusion - all of which can potentially save you thousands of dollars.

When making one of the biggest purchases in life, the more information and knowledge you have, the better. Our use of thermal imaging helps us to provide you with the best information possible so that you can make an educated decision about your potential home.

Items Covered On Our Home Inspections

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Roof Home Inspection

• the roof covering (asphalt, slate, metal, etc.)
• the gutters  and their condition
• the vents, flashings, skylights,
• the chimney, plumbing vents, and other roof penetrations
• the general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.

 Basement, Foundation & Crawlspace Home Inspection

•  the basement;
•  the foundation;
•  the crawlspace (if present);
•  the visible structural components;
•  and report on the location of under-floor access openings;
•  and report any present conditions or clear indications of active water penetration observed by the inspector;
•  for wood in contact or near soil;
•  and report any general indications of foundation movement or issues that are observed by the home inspector, such as, but not limited to: gypsum board cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, or floor slopes;
•  and report on any cutting, notching and boring of framing members which may present a structural or safety concern.

Structural Home Inspection

• Inspect the overall structure of the home
• Inspect the roof structure 
• Inspect the piers, posts, and other support members
• Inspect the main and secondary bearing beams 
• Inspect the foundation, framing and methods, bearing walls and other components of the structure

Electrical Home Inspection

• the service entry point;
• the meter socket enclosures;
• the means for disconnecting the service main;
• and describe the service disconnect amperage rating, if labeled;
• panelboards and overcurrent devices (breakers and fuses);
• and report on any unused circuit breaker panel openings that are not filled;
• the service grounding and bonding;
• a representative number of switches, lighting fixtures, and receptacles, including receptacles observed and deemed to be AFCI-protected during the inspection using the AFCI test button, where possible;
• and test Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles and GFCI circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs during the inspection using a GFCI tester, where possible;
• and report the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring, if readily accessible;
• and report on any tested receptacles in which power was not present, polarity was incorrect, was not secured to the wall, the cover was not in place, the ground fault circuit interrupter devices are not properly installed or do not operate properly, evidence of arcing or excessive heat is present, or where the receptacle is not grounded or is not secured to the wall;
• the service entrance conductors and the condition of the conductor insulation;
• and report the absence of smoke detectors; and
• service entrance cables, and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the integrity of the insulation, drip loop, or separation of conductors at weather-heads and clearances from grade or rooftops.

Heating System Home Inspection

•  operate and observe the heating systems using normal operating controls, and describe the energy source and heating method;
•  and report any needs for repair of the heating systems which do not operate or do not operate well
•  and report if the heating systems are deemed inaccessible.
• Thoroughly inspect every accessible component of the heating system throughout the home during your home inspection

Cooling System Home Inspection

•  operate and observe the cooling system using normal operating controls, and describe the energy source and cooling method;
•  and report any needs for repair of the cooling system which does not operate or does not operate well
•  and report if the cooling system is deemed inaccessible.
• Thoroughly inspect every accessible component of the cooling system throughout the home during your home inspection

Plumbing Home Inspection

• inspect and determine if the water supply is public or private;
• verify the presence of and condition of the the main water shut-off valve;
•  inspect the water heating equipment, including venting, connections, energy source supply system and verify the presence or absence of temperature-pressure relief valves;
• flush and operate toilets;
• water-test sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage;
• inspect the interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets;
• inspect the drain, waste and vent systems, including all fixtures;
• describe any accessible fuel storage systems;
• inspect the drainage sump pumps and test pumps with accessible floats;
• inspect and describe the water supply, drain, waste and main fuel shut-off valves, as well as the location of the water main and main fuel shut-off valves;
• inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the water supply by viewing the functional flow
• inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in installation and identification of hot and cold faucets;
• inspect and report as in need of repair mechanical drain-stops that are missing or do not operate if installed in sinks, lavatories and tubs; and
• inspect and report as in need of repair commodes that have cracks in the ceramic material, are improperly mounted on the floor, leak, or have tank components which do not operate.

Fireplace and Wood Stove Home Inspection

• the fireplace and wood stove, and open and close the damper door, if accessible and safe to operable;
• hearth extensions and other permanently installed components;
• and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the lintel, hearth and material surrounding the fireplace, including fireplace opening clearance from visible combustible materials.

Exterior Home Inspection

• the siding, flashing and trim
• all exterior doors, decks, stoops, steps, stairs, porches, railings, eaves, soffits and fascias
•  and report as in need of repair any spacings between intermediate balusters, spindles, or rails for steps, stairways, balconies, and railings that permit the passage of an object greater than 4 inches in diameter
• a representative number of windows
•  the vegetation, surface drainage, and retaining walls when these are likely to adversely affect the structure
• and describe condition of the exterior wall covering.

Doors, Windows and Interior Home Inspections

• open and close a representative number of doors and windows;
• inspect the walls, ceilings, steps, stairways and railings;
• and report as in need of repair any spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles or rails for steps, stairways and railings that permit the passage of an object greater than 4 inches in diameter;
• inspect garage doors and garage door openers by operating first by remote (if available), and then by the installed automatic door control;
• and report as in need of repair any installed electronic sensors that are not operable or not installed at proper heights above the garage door;
• and report as in need of repair any door locks or side ropes that have not been removed or disabled when garage door opener is in use;
• and report as in need of repair any windows that are obviously fogged or display other evidence of broken seals.

Home Inspections in:    Lompoc home inspection, Arroyo Grande home inspection , Atascadero home inspection , Avila Beach home inspection, Buellton home inspection, Cambria home inspection , Cayucos home inspection, Grover Beach home inspection, Guadalupe home inspection, Santa Maria home inspection, 
​San Luis Obispo home inspection, Los Olivos home inspection , Los Osos home inspection , Morro Bay home inspection, Nipomo home inspection, Oceano home inspection , Orcutt home inspection , Paso Robles home inspection , Pismo Beach, home inspection  Santa Margarita home inspection, Santa Ynez home inspection , Shell Beach home inspection , Solvang home inspection, Templeton home inspection , Mission Hills home inspection, Vandenberg Village home inspection , Los Alamos home inspection , Ballard home inspection, Casmaila home inspection, Betteravia home inspection, Guadalupe home inspection, Mesa Oaks home inspection, Bromela home inspection , Callender home inspection  and surrounding areas of California