• What is a home inspection?
• What does a home inspection include?
• What should I NOT expect from a home inspection?
• Why do I need a home inspection?
• How much will it cost?
• Why can't I do it myself?
• How long will it take?
• Can a house fail inspection?
• When do I call a home inspector?
• Do I have to be there?
• What is the report like?
• What if the report reveals problems?
• If the house proves to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection?
• What is the difference between a home inspection and a maintenance inspection?
• What is a warranty inspection?
• What if my question isn't covered here?

What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. It is basically a “snap shot” of the home on the day of the inspection and is used as a guide for home buyers and home owners to assess the health and stability of a home.

What does a home inspection include?
At minimum, Jason will inspect the condition of your 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; and will provide you with a report outlining the major findings and his recommendations for repair, if needed.

As a proud American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) associate member, Jason is pleased to follow both the ASHI Standards of Practice and the ASHI Code of Ethics that the organization publishes. These documents outline what you should expect to be covered in your home inspection report.

What should I NOT expect from a home inspection?

• Much like a visit to the doctor can't guarantee you from future sickness, a home inspection cannot guarantee you protection against future home component failures. A home inspection tells you only the condition of the component at the time the component was inspected.
• A home inspection is not an appraisal that determines the value of a home. Jason won't tell you whether or not you should buy a particular home or what you should pay for it. He will visually inspect the components of the home and provide you with his opinion as to their condition. You and your agent can then use Jason's results and recommendations to come to your own conclusions as to the value of the home.
• A home inspection is not a code inspection, which verifies local building code compliance. Jason will not pass or fail a house or its components. Jason will, however, report findings when it comes to safety concerns that may be in the current code, such as ungrounded outlets above sinks.

Why do I need a home inspection?

• If you are in the process of purchasing a home, you’ll 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 oversights, 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 are already 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 are planning to sell your home, a home inspection can provide you a better understanding of conditions which the buyer's inspector may point out, giving you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.

How much will it cost?
Jason's inspection fees vary depending on the type of inspection, the size of the house, and its location. (See the Services page for typical pricing based on a 3,000 sq ft house with attached garage, or contact Jason for a detailed quote.) And though Jason keeps his rates competitive, you will want to consider much more than cost when selecting a home inspector.

As your home is likely the biggest investment you will make in your lifetime, a low-priced inspection is often not the bargain it seems. It is better to use the inspector’s qualifications, including experience, training, compliance with Washington State’s regulations, and professional affiliations as a guide. (To review Jason's home inspection qualifications, see the Qualifications page.)

Why can't I do it myself?
There is a lot more to home inspecting than just knowing about houses. Not only are there standards set by the State of Washington that must be met, but home inspectors must know how the home's systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they fail. Even the most experienced homeowner can lack all the knowledge and expertise a professional home inspector has.

But even more than just specialized knowledge and expertise, a professional home inspector provides you with an impartial, third-party opinion of the health of your home. This can be an invaluable way for home buyers to step back from the often emotional attachment involved in a home purchase and take an objective look at the components. From there, it becomes easier (and safer!) to make judgments on whether or not to move forward with the purchase.

How long will it take?
It takes Jason an average of 3 hours to inspect a house. Some home inspectors pride themselves in completing 2-hour-or-less inspections, but this usually results in a less-thorough inspection, something that Jason just isn't interested in providing.

Jason's perspective is that an inspection isn't complete until he's looked at as many home components as possible. He feels it is in his clients' best interest that he focus on the job at hand rather than a particular timeframe.

Can a house fail inspection?
Much like a patient cannot fail a doctor's examination, a house cannot fail a home inspection. Like a caring family physician, Jason will inspect your home and then provide you a description of the home's physical condition, indicating what components and systems may need major repair or replacement. No grading involved.

When do I call a home inspector?
Typically, home buyers will contact a home inspector immediately after a contract or purchase agreement for the home has been signed with the seller. However, once that initial inspection has been completed, Jason recommends that homeowners follow up with regular maintenance inspections (every one to two years) to ensure that their investment is being kept in good working order.

If you are planning on selling your home, you will want to contact a home inspector to inspect the home for items you can repair or fix before the buyer's inspector discovers them. And at any time, if you have a special concern about a particular component of your home (pest (WDO) damage or the heating system, for example), you can contact Jason to come out and assess just that one component.

For a list of the types of inspections Jason performs for his clients, see the Services page.

What is the report like?
Jason's carefully crafted reports average around 40 pages and include a summary of findings, detailed component assessments, digital photos, helpful illustrations, a full WDO report, and more. To save on trees, the report is typically provided in electronic (PDF) form, but Jason will provide printed copies by request. To see Jason's report in action, view the sample sections on the Services page.

Do I have to be there?
Jason highly recommends that his clients be present for their home inspections. Not only will you be able to observe him and ask questions on the spot, Jason will be able to better point out maintenance tips as he inspects, and you will end up absorbing much more knowledge about your home and its components by being present.

That said, attending the inspection is not a requirement. You will receive a report at the end of the inspection detailing the items that Jason has found.

What if the report reveals problems?
Even the most well-cared-for home is likely to reveal at least a few minor problems. No house is perfect and even brand new homes can have problems that the builders overlooked.

Finding problems with a home doesn't mean that you should or shouldn't buy it. What it does mean is that through your knowledge of those problems, you have more accurate expectations regarding future repair work. And if major problems are found, you and your agent might use that information to go back to the seller and ask them to make repairs or compensate you appropriately. The more knowledge you have about the home and its quirks, the better prepared you are to move forward.

If the house proves to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection?
Absolutely! Now you have the confidence to complete your home purchase without concern. In addition, you will have learned many useful things about your new home and how to care for it from Jason's written inspection report. That information will come in handy for future reference, such as when comparing it to your future maintenance inspections.

What is the difference between a home inspection and a maintenance inspection?
The easiest way to explain this is to go back to the doctor and patient example: When you see a doctor for the first time, you are often asked to perform an initial consultation. During that visit, the doctor will do a full examination of your body, ask about your medical history, and perform various tests to form a baseline of your health on that day. From there, the doctor may recommend changes to your diet or routine. Or, if he/she detects major symptoms outside of his/her area of expertise, he/she might recommend that you see a specialist.

A home inspection is very similar to that initial consultation with the doctor. The home inspector does a full examination of all the home components, details the building history, and composes a baseline (your inspection report) of the health of the building on that day. From there, the home inspector might recommend certain maintenance tasks or for more major items, might suggest you see a specialist (a licensed electrician or plumber, for example).

But both health and home care don't stop at that first visit. To maintain proper bodily health, your doctor will recommend that you have regular "checkups" every year or so. Likewise, to maintain proper home health, Jason recommends that you have regular "checkups" or maintenance inspections every year or so. As in the healthcare field, early detection and prevention are often the best treatment for home health.

Like that first trip to the doctor, it is never too late to have your home inspected. If you bought your home without an inspection, or if it has been several years since your last inspection, call Jason today to set up an appointment.

What is a warranty inspection?
A warranty inspection is primarily for owners of newly constructed homes or for any homes sold with a home warranty (typically good for 12 months). Home buyers whose first year of ownership has not lived up to expectations might also choose to have a warranty inspection conducted.

The inspection process and report are the same as the home and pest inspection. But the main benefit of doing this inspection before the warranty period expires is that it provides the home owner with a neutral, third-party report to take back to the builder or warranty company should repairs or maintenance be needed.

What if my question isn't covered here?
Just contact Jason! He would be happy to answer any questions you may have.