F.A.Q.'s

Welcome! I'm George Senkerik a licensed professional home inspector, and President of Private Eye Home Inspections Inc. I would like to take the time to answer a few questions about home inspections that you might have!

Why should I have a home inspection?

Home Buyers
The current condition of the property is a significant factor that should be considered before purchasing a property. A Private Eye
Home Inspection report provides you with an experienced and impartial judgment of the suitability, condition and durability of
each and every significant system and feature of the home. After the inspection of an old or newly constructed property, you will
have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase. This will aid you in making a confident buying decision.

Major repairs will be identified before you buy a property which can minimize unpleasant surprises afterwards. In addition,
a property inspection will point out many positive aspects of the property plus the maintenance that will be necessary to keep
it in good and functioning condition.

Home Sellers
A pre-listing inspection and report will help expedite your property sale. A pre-sale inspection eliminates last minute surprises
which can cause the deal to fall apart. By accurately disclosing the properties condition to potential buyers, you will more likely
receive realistic offers and the deal will close with fewer problems. Properties with fewer unanswered questions will often sell faster.
Surprises which arise after the buyer makes an offer often lead to delays and price renegotiation. [back to top]


What does a home inspection cover?

Foundation	Heating
Structure	Cooling
Roof	Plumbing
Grounds	Electrical
Exterior	Kitchen
Interior	Bathrooms
Rain Gutters	Exterior Grading
Chimney/Fireplaces	Attic/Basement
Insulation & Ventilation	Radon (At an additional cost)

Can I do it myself?

Even the most experienced home owner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector who
has inspected hundreds, perhaps thousands, of homes in his or her career. An inspector is familiar with the many
elements of home construction, their proper installation and maintenance. He or she understands how the home's system
and components are intended to function together as well as how they fail. Above all it's best to obtain an impartial
third-party opinion by an expert in the field of home inspection [back to top]

Can a house fail inspection?
No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your perspective home. It is not an appraisal which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what may need repair or replacement. [back to top]

When do I call in the home inspector?

A home inspector is typically contacted right after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. However, before you sign, be
sure there is a inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional
home inspector. This clause should specify the terms to which both the buyer and seller are obligated. [back to top]

Do I have to be there?

It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but it is recommended. You will be able to observe the inspector and ask
questions directly, as you learn about the condition of the home, how its systems work, and how to maintain it. You will also find the
written report easier to understand if you've seen the property first-hand through the inspector's eyes. [back to top]

What if the house reveals problems?

No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. A seller may adjust the purchase price or contract terms if major problems are found. If your budget is tight, or if you don't wish to become involved in future repair work, this information will be extremely important to you. [back to top]

If the house proves to be in good condition, did I really need an inspection?

Definitely. Now you can complete your home purchase with your eyes open as to the condition of the property and all its equipment
and systems. You will also have learned many things about your new home from the inspector's written report, and will want to keep
that information for future reference. [back to top]

The length of our thorough inspections depends on several variables. Is the house vacant or occupied? Is it a 1, 2, 3, or 4 family house? What size is the house? (Square footage) On average, most of our complete home inspections take 2 to 3 hours to complete. [back to top]

When do I get the inspection report?

At Private Eye Home Inspections, all of our reports are computer generated, hand delivered or emailed out within 24 hours. Be leery of
on site reporting; how much time and thought did they put into your report? As always, we will sit down with you and go over your report
and answer any and all questions you might have. [back to top]

What will it cost?

The inspection fee for a typical one-family house varies, as does the cost of housing. Similarly, within a given area the inspection fee may
vary depending upon the house, particular features of the house, its age, and possible additional services as radon testing. It is a good idea to
check local prices on your own.

As you can see, a home inspection is a very important process which must be done correctly, in a thorough and professional manner.
Because of my great interest in performing home inspections, you will receive an excellent inspection. I will also enjoy making your acquaintance
and help you properly evaluate your prospective home so that you know what your getting into before finalizing your sales offer.

If you are selling a home and are looking for a pre-sale inspection, I will work with you to provide the same exhaustive analysis so that you know
how to properly approach making your home attractive for a new prospective owner.

Thank you for the opportunity to share some of the background that goes into conducting a professional and thorough home inspection. I hope
you have gained an appreciation for the process involved and its importance for making an educated purchase decision. If you would like to
schedule a home inspection, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me to discuss your needs. [back to top]

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email Private Eye Home Inspections pi-homeinspections@comcast.net