Services

Arrange an Inspection
In many cases a home inspection must be hastily arranged to meet the deadline of the sales contract. At ABOVE GRADE HOME INSPECTION I am mindful of those requirements and we make our best effort to accommodate the needs of every buyer, seller and agent. Same-day service is available provided time slots are not already taken. Call 404.386.4202, email or complete the contact form to arrange a time.

Duration
The answer to the often-asked question, “How long will it take to do the inspection?” is: It depends. Several variables are involved. In most cases, I spend 4-5 hours at a property. But it's not unusual for an inspection to last more than 6 hours given the size or condition of a house. At ABOVE GRADE HOME INSPECTION I don't cut corners. My inspections are complete, comprehensive and honest.

Customer Involvement
During a ABOVE GRADE HOME INSPECTION I welcome and encourage the customer to be with me every step of the way, except on ladders and roofs! Most of my customers prefer to arrive the end of the inspection. But they don't miss a thing. A complete inspection report, with photos, is printed on site and I'm more than happy to conduct a walk-through of all the issues or concerns that I found.

Standards
At ABOVE GRADE HOME INSPECTION I adhere to the Code of Ethics and exceed the Standards of Inspection established by the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). One example of how I go beyond the industry standards is with the inspection of kitchen appliances, which is not a requirement under NAHI guidelines.

Inspection Agreement
Before any work can begin, an Inspection Agreement must be signed. This can be arranged either ahead of time via fax, or on the day of the scheduled inspection. The agreement outlines the scope of work, limitations and liabilities.

Inspection Areas
These areas can be broken down into the following broad categories:

Electrical
Service drop and equipment, conductors, grounding, service panel, over-current protection devices, light switches, lighting fixtures, receptacles and smoke detectors will be checked for proper installation and function. GFCI and AFCI circuits will be tested for proper wiring and safety.
Exterior
Flashing, trim, windows, siding, and all exterior doors will be inspected, along with decks, balconies and porches.
Garage
Garage door, automatic door openers and firewall adequacy are examined.
Grounds
Grading, driveways, walkways and steps are scrutinized.
Heating and A/C
Furnaces are inspected for signs of wear and damage.
Insulation and Ventilation
The attic and other accessible areas, such as crawl space, will be examined for insulation and ventilation. Vents from fuel-burning appliances and chimney flues will be inspected.
Interior
Walls, ceilings, floors, stairways, doors, windows, countertops, installed cabinets and large kitchen appliances are all part of the inspection.
Plumbing
Pipes are tested for adequate pressure and drainage. Fixtures, faucets, showers, tubs, water heaters, vent systems, drainage sumps and sump pumps are examined.
Roof
Roof covering, gutters, flashing, skylights and chimneys are examined.
Structural components
Foundation and framing will be examined for soundness, cracks, settling and water penetration.

As a trained and certified inspector, I use advanced equipment to detect carbon monoxide and combustible gases.

Excluded Items
Inspections do not include underground storage tanks, erosion control measures, swimming pools, hot tubs, wells, well pumps, water conditioning systems, solar heating systems, sprinkler systems, private waste disposal system, detached structures, chimney interior if not readily accessible, antennae, remote control devices, alarm systems, low voltage wiring systems such as landscape lighting, heat exchanger, humidifier, de-humidifier, measurement of amperage, voltage or impedance, electronic air filters, interior paint, wallpaper or other finish treatments, carpeting, window treatments, shutters, decorative items, washer, dryer, small household appliances, central vacuum systems, recreational facilities, fireplace inserts, indoor air quality.

Radon
Although not included as part of the standard service, ABOVE GRADE HOME INSPECTION understands that many homeowners are concerned about indoor air quality such as elevated levels of radon. As an added service ABOVE GRADE HOME INSPECTION will conduct a radon test and evaluation for $100. A Radon Agreement must be signed prior to testing. Please note, radon samples are collected during a two-day period in an undisturbed room and it may take several days longer before the gases are analyzed and results are available.

Inspection Report
At the conclusion of the inspection, a detailed computerized Inspection Report is printed on-site. The report includes photos and a summary of all noteworthy issues. The findings are detailed in clear understandable language. If you are unable to be present when the inspection concludes I will be happy to provide you a copy of the report by mail, email or fax. View a sample report here (please note, this sample only contains the summary and a small part of one of the detail sections to provide you with an idea of what a full report looks like).

Payment
Payment is due at the time of inspection. We accept checks.

Call-Backs
ABOVE GRADE HOME INSPECTION does everything it can to assure a thorough and complete inspection. In cases where repairs have been made following the inspection, I will be happy to examine the adequacy of the repairs and re-issue a new report within 90 days of the original inspection. The re-inspection fee is only $75.