Building Inspection and Inspectors

Building Inspector Main Web Site 
 

                                                                       ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors)

                                St. Louis Chapter of the: AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HOME INSPECTORS

No home is perfect, if you walk with your inspector while he is inspecting your home, you will learn more than you ever imagined

Undoubtedly the Building Inspection and subsequent Inspection Resolution can be the most difficult and stressful portion of the entire purchase and closing process.

The best defense is to have done a careful personal review of the home and include items of concern into the contract offer.

As an example, review the attached pre-listing check list. If any of these items concern you and exist in the home you wish to purchase, then include these items in the offer.

What inspections are required?

Some municipalities require an inspection and an occupancy permit before the buyer can move into the home.

If an occupancy permit is required, a lender will not fund until the permit is provided.

The contract only requires that a Gas Inspection be performed by the seller within thirty (30) days of closing. In every case, Laclede Gas is the final authority for any gas fired appliance.

What inspections are available?

In preparation for your purchase of a home, it would be prudent for you to have determined who the inspector would be and what inspections you will want accomplished prior to actually submitting the contract offer to buy.

When you prepare your contract offer, many things will be happening rather quickly. Thinking ahead and being prepared for the inspections before the fact will prove to be sound advice.

                                                                 Check List Questions for the Buyer to ask the Inspector

When interviewing an Inspector, these are questions you might ask of a perspective inspector.

1. How Long Have You Been In Business? In inspecting houses, there is no substitute for experience.

2. Do You Hold Membership In ASHI? ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors is the oldest and largest association of home inspectors. More inspections are done to ASHI Standard and Code of Ethics than any other. As long as your inspection is being done to ASHI Standards, why not have it done by a Certified ASHI MEMBER.

3. What Does The Inspection Include? It should include the foundation, overall structure, the roof and attic, the exterior, interior, heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing and fixtures.

4. What And When Will You the Buyer Receive Your Inspection Report? Some reports are preprinted checklists and others are narrative computer generated reports. The best answer for you is that it will be e-mailed to you and your agent within 48 hours.

5. Can I Attend The Inspection? Unless you are out of town you SHOULD attend the inspection. The inspector’s job is not just to inspect the property but also to educate. This can only be achieved if you are present at the time of the inspection.

6. Do You Carry Errors & Omission Insurance? Most top tiered inspectors carry E & O insurance.

7. Do You Mount And Walk The Roof? A good inspector will walk the asphalt shingle roofs.

8. What Optional (For Additional Fee) Services Do You Offer? Some offer to do termite, radon, well and septic. I think this is the best way to go.

9. What do you charge for the Building Inspection, Termite Inspection, and Radon Inspection?

10. Do you charge extra for weekends or after hours inspections?

11. How do You Identify Those Components That Are Significantly Deficient? If your inspection agreement states it is done to ASHI Standards of Practice, it needs to call out systems or components that are not functioning, unsafe or near/ past their service life.

12. What Value Do I Get From Your Company? All inspectors do not provide the small quality of inspection. When there are hundreds or thousands of dollars at stake, do you want to look at saving ten’s of dollars for the inspection fee? "It's unwise to pay too much, but it's even less wise to pay too little."

14. What makes you different from the other inspectors? Some inspectors document their work with an abundance of digital pictures which I think is very wise and worth any extra cost.

15. Will you provide me a list of three of your clients and homes you have recently inspected?

The widely recognized ASHI acronym and LOGO are legally registered and carefully protected. Those who belong to our organization are divided into four groups or designations.

Paul has used and recommend these inspectors.

Our Short List of Inspectors:

Inspection items for you ( Buyer or Seller ) to consider:

1. Are you knowledgeable about Radon Gas and how you test for it?

2. How and where is the Clothes Dryer vented?

3. Are there any electrical wires attached to the bottom of floor joists?

4. What is the condition of the Electrical Lead-in wire.

5. Are there any double lugs in the Circuit Breaker Box?

6. Do you have Aluminum Wire?

7. Is each electrical connection inside a box?

8. Is the polarity correct and properly grounded on all the electrical outlets?

9. Do the GFI’s work properly when tested?

10. Is the Lower Level plumbing properly vented?

11. Are there any Plastic Water Supply lines?

12. Does the Garage Door Opener have its own electrical outlet / box?

13. Are there any windows that will not stay up when raised, locked when closed? Cracked glass?

14. Are any of the Thermal Seals broken on any windows in your home?

15. Are the inside Dead Bolt Locks keyless?

16. Does the sliding door lock work properly?

17. Do you know where the Water Stop Box is located? At ground level?

18. Are the gutters clean from all leaves and debris?

19. Where are the trash cans stored?

20. Gas appliances (BBQ Grill, Gas Lights) excluded from Laclede Inspections?