1. Why A Home Inspection?
2. What Will The Inspection Cover?
3. How Long Will The Inspection Take?
4. Should I Be Present During The Inspection?
5. Why An “Eagle Eye” Home Inspection?   Aren’t All Home Inspectors Alike Since They Must Be Licensed In North Carolina since 1996?
6. Can't I Do It Myself?
7. Maybe I Should Call A Licensed Tradesman To Check Each System?
8. How Do I Choose A Home Inspector?  
9. Should I Choose An Inspector Who Will Make The Repairs After The Inspection?
10. What If My Inspector Misses Something?
11. My Inspector Says He Reports According to ASHI Standards. Is He Qualified?
12. Who Should Schedule My Inspection?   My Realtor® or Myself?
13. How Quickly Can I Get My Home Inspection Report After The Inspection?
14. Can I Wait To Pay For The Inspection At The Closing Of The Property Sale?
15. Don’t Most Home Inspectors Wait For Payment At Closing Just Like The Realtor®?  
16. OK.  So How Much Will A Home Inspection By Eagle Eye Cost?
17. My Realtor® Says That They Can Get Me An Inspector That Charges A Lot Less.   Shouldn’t I Use Someone That My Agent Already Knows And Save Money?  
18. I’m Buying A Newly Constructed Home.   Should I Have A Home Inspection Before I Close On The Sale?
19. I’m Selling My Home. Should I Have A Home Inspection Before I Offer My Home For Sale?
20. My Home Is Listed For Sale And My Realtor Has A Warranty On The Home And Its Systems.   Do I Still Need A Pre-Marketing Home Inspection?

1.  Q: Why A Home Inspection?  
A: The purchase of a new home is one of the single most costly investments that a family will make. Along with the extra stresses this will add, there is also the fear factor of, "Will This Home Stand The Test of Time?" It is also important to know what YOU, as the primary investor, are getting for your money.

A properly performed home inspection is an excellent tool for you, the home buyer, to help determine not only the condition of the home, but to also help foresee any immediate, unnecessary additional repairs  that may go unnoticed without the help of a home inspection. Home inspections are not a prediction of future performance, but can pinpoint existing problem areas and make “Improvement Recommendations”.

2.  Q: What Will The Inspection Cover?
A: A thorough Inspection covers these typical systems.

3.  Q: How Long Will The Inspection Take?
A: Most Eagle Eye Home Inspections take about 1 ½  - 2   hours, which also includes answering your questions on site. These times may vary depending on the size, age & condition of the home.

4.  Q: Should I Be Present During The Inspection?
A: We recommend that you be present near the end of the Inspection, however, you are welcome to be present from start to finish. Estimated times are based on the inspector performing the inspection and explaining his findings at the end.

5.  Q:  Why An “Eagle Eye” Home Inspection?   Aren’t All Home Inspectors Alike Since They Must Be Licensed In North Carolina since 1996?
A:  Licensing has helped to bring about necessary standards (STANDARDS OF PRACTICE) that should insure that every inspector will properly:  1) Describe the Systems Inspected, 2) Inspect for Functionality and 3) Report the Findings in Writing.     

An Eagle Eye Home Inspection report will fully describe each system inspected and its condition at the time of the inspection and advise the client if  REPAIRS are needed.    MAINTENANCE and  SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS are suggested as well.

In addition, each issue noted in the AREAS OF CONCERN section of your report is prioritized for you so that you easily see which systems are in need of attention.

Eagle Eye Home Inspections has been a pioneer in the use of COLOR PHOTOS in the report to help everyone clearly understand what the inspector viewed during the inspection.    It is our belief that, in the end………… The Report is The Product.     

Not Sold Yet?.......Go to the SAMPLE REPORT and PHOTO LIBRARY pages to see how your EAGLE EYE HOME INSPECTION REPORT can help you get the “big picture” of your home.   
A Pre-printed, Tear off,  “CHECK LIST” report,  typically given by most inspectors on site,  is just NO COMPARISON!!  
See for yourself.

6.  Q: Can't I Do It Myself?
A: Yes, you can, or you could have "Uncle Bob" look at your house. This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. After all, "Uncle Bob" has been in construction for as long as you can remember. Think of this, however. You have closed on your new home and your family has been enjoying all the benefits your new home has to offer, until one quiet evening when you smell something funny. 
No, it's not your neighbors elephant-sized dog named Tiny. It's an electrical fire in the wall caused by the over-fused wire in the electrical panel that "Uncle Bob" missed. Now I'm sure that "Uncle Bob" would let you move in with him, his six kids, four dogs, two cats, and an iguana, while your home is being rebuilt. And I'm sure that he feels terrible about the fire. But you can't blame him. Although he had the best of intentions when inspecting your home, he simply is not trained in all the disciplines necessary to provide a comprehensive home inspection. An impartial inspection by a highly trained and competent ASHI Certified, licensed Eagle Eye Home Inspector is your best defense against a major catastrophe.

7.  Q: Maybe I Should Call A Licensed Tradesman To Check Each System?
A: Although the person you are considering may be very skilled their focus is typically on their own area of expertise.   They are not trained, experienced or licensed at professional home inspections.   Licensed home inspectors are required to pass an exam that incorporates all the major disciplines used in building and installing systems in your home.  

In addition, many tradesmen take the opportunity to find problems which they can offer to correct in order to make additional income. Your Inspector should never benefit by offering to make repairs lest his credibility be compromised.

In addition, the licensed home inspector must take continuing education courses (currently 12 hours per year) that enable the inspector to keep current and abreast of changes in the materials and systems installations. General contractors and many other licensed trade (plumbing, heat/air) have no such requirement and neither do code enforcement (building inspectors) personnel that inspect during construction.

Another problem can arise due to the “reporting” of defects. Only your licensed home inspector is trained in how defects and maintenance issues should be reported and differentiated for the purpose of a home purchase.    Remember, if you can’t use the information on your report because it is vaguely written or inconclusive your inspection report is of very little value.

8.  Q: How Do I Choose A Home Inspector?  
A: Call up and ask about their credentials and experience. If for some reason you don't feel comfortable asking this of the inspector when speaking with them on the phone then how will you feel asking questions at the inspection. You must feel that the inspector is qualified, experienced and attentive of your needs.

9.  Q: Should I Choose An Inspector Who Will Make The Repairs After The Inspection?
A: Absolutely NOT! Unfortunately, many tradesmen (contractors, electricians, etc.) enter the “home inspection” industry hoping to find “problems” so they can offer to make the repairs for the seller. This does add income to the inspector’s account and his fee for the inspection may reflect ulterior desire; that is, to make a larger fee from the seller than he charged you.

No one has a reason to trust any inspector who hopes to gain from making repairs of problems he identifies during the course of his “home inspection” report. The Professional Home Inspector will NEVER offer or accept to make repairs for a fee following his “home inspection” report. Any inspector who does is only looking to find additional work in his primary trade.

Not only do You  need to be able to trust the Home Inspector’s  report findings, you want the Seller  to be able to trust them as well. You would be wise to consider choosing a different inspector.

A 1998 poll taken  of  licensees in North Carolina revealed that only 25%  of the licensed inspectors earn their primary income as a result of working in the “home inspection” industry.   Many of the remaining 75% use a home inspection service to find additional work in their “primary” trade..

10.  Q: What If My Inspector Misses Something?
A: Although no inspector can guarantee that he will see every defect, your Eagle Eye Home Inspector strives to view your prospective property and its systems as completely as he can inside the scope of the Standards of Practice. The inspection is designed to provide you will an “overall” report that will provide information about visible and accessible systems and the scope of the issues at the time of the inspection. Additional information may be learned from subsequent inspections by other licensed tradesmen who may uncover latent defects or when conditions change.  Not all repair needs may be identified within the scope of your home inspection.  Your Eagle Eye Home Inspector may recommend additional inspections/repairs by licensed tradesmen as a result of his inspection as well.

Our guarantee of service is to provide you with the inspection that meets the NCHILB’s STANDARDS OF PRACTICE or YOUR MONEY BACK! It’s that simple.

11.  Q: My Inspector Says He Reports According to ASHI Standards. Is He Qualified?
A:  ASHI has been recognized as "the standard" for over 30 years.  The American Society of Home Inspectors is the only professional association in this industry that requires a "peer review" of the inspectors' ability to write a report prior to membership acceptance.  Neither NAHI, AHIA, NACHI (click here to view NACHI's newest member) or the NCLHIA in North Carolina require the same.  If your inspector has the ASHI logo on his business card, web site, letterhead or report he is probably more qualified.   If he does not, he probably is just “parroting” what he believes you wish to hear and is not a Certified Member of ASHI.  ASHI is the only professional home inspectors association that qualifies its members through 1) exhaustive testing,  2) report review and 3) a minimum experience level of 250 fee-paid inspections prior to membership.   

The North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board does not review any home inspection “reports” of its licensees as a standard procedure and does not require its licensees to perform a minimum number of inspections and submit them for review prior to licensing.   Only the American Society of Home Inspectors provides that assurance to the public before accepting an inspector as a CERTIFIED MEMBER.  ASHI candidates may belong to the association but cannot, under penalty of law, display an ASHI logo until having met all requirements for membership.  

Memberships in other professional associations for home inspectors are “fee-driven” only and do not reflect a  minimum level of knowledge or display of report-writing ability. Basically, except for ASHI, if you pay the membership fee….you’re a member.  For credibility, choose an ASHI inspector with logo privileges.

12.  Q:  Who Should Schedule My Inspection?   My Realtor® or Myself?
A:  Either you or your Realtor® can call to schedule your inspection.   Please remember that the inspection is for your benefit and it is in your best interest to be at the inspection to learn more about your home.   In addition to being a sound business practice, in North Carolina an “Inspection Agreement” must be completed and signed prior to the home inspection by the client or designated parties who have the written legal authority to do so on behalf of the client.   Upon scheduling an inspection, you may call our office to receive a faxed copy of an Eagle Eye Home Inspection agreement prior to the inspection appointment if you desire.

13.  Q:  How Quickly Can I Get My Home Inspection Report After The Inspection?
A:  It is our goal to provide a written report to our clients and their Realtors® within 24-48 hours (business days only) unless providentially hindered.   The Inspector will discuss his findings with you at the inspection so that you will know of any “important” issues at that time.   He will complete the written report within 24-48 hours and we will make it available by electronic means immediately upon receipt and review from the inspector.   We are proud to offer our clients a report that is available from our web page (see Sample Report) as well as a professionally-bound, covered written report by mail for your archive. Your Realtor® is copied at your request, as well.

14.  Q:  Can I Wait To Pay For The Inspection At The Closing Of The Property Sale?
A:  Most of our clients appreciate the need we have to be paid at the time of the service.   For their convenience we accept the client’s Personal Check, Visa and MasterCard.   We can take your V/MC information by fax as well.   Ninety-five (95%) of our clients pay at the time of service.

For the very few cases where a client is unable to pay for the inspection service at the time we will accept the client’s V/MC as a security against payment at the closing, if within 30 days of service.   This is the same procedure you follow when “reserving” a hotel room or a rental car.  

15.  Q:  Don’t Most Home Inspectors Wait For Payment At Closing Just Like The Realtor®?
A:  Yes, they do; but, they should not.   You should desire that your home inspector remain totally unbiased regarding your home purchase.
We do not wish to have a "financial interest" in your decision to purchase your new home.   If you require your home inspector to be paid from the closing of the property you have given him a "financial interest" in encouraging you to make the purchase.   

There are far too many “white-wash” home inspectors who will accept payment at closing.  Those “inspectors”  (you’ve seen them on 60 Minutes, etc.) may not disclose to you any information that would cause you not to purchase the property.  Clearly, it would be in conflict with your interest for you to request that the inspector be paid “from closing” without providing the inspection company bonafide security (Visa/MasterCard) equivalent to that which you are required to produce just to reserve a hotel room.   Sure, your agent may have the names of many “inspectors” who will gladly wait until your “sale closing” for payment.   But, do you really want one of them to inspect for you?   After all….you are sending them the message that you want to purchase the home and they will only be paid if you close on the sale.

16.  Q:  OK.  So How Much Will A Home Inspection Cost?
A:  Most inspections cost somewhere between $250 - $600 (some cost less, some cost more), not including other services.  We will ask you the 1)property address 2) heated area size in square footage 3) approximate age and 4) any detached garages or buildings that you want inspected as well (detached buildings typically not included). If you know this much about your prospective home we can give you our fee quote. You can email us, too.   

Nicole@ee-hi.com to reach Nicole Edwards, Office Manager / Co-Owner

Tom@ee-hi.com to reach Tom Edwards, Lead Inspector

17.  Q:  My Realtor® Says That They Can Get Me An Inspector That Charges A Lot Less.   Shouldn’t I Use Someone That My Agent Already Knows And Save Money?
A:  In the end, it should be entirely your decision.   We love Realtors® for the part they play in helping us achieve our goals to serve as many people as we can.   We only ask that you become informed as a consumer and compare what we offer against any other home inspection service provider.   We are extremely confident that we compare very favorably overall.   Our fees are commensurate with our level of experience in the home inspection business.

18.  Q:  I’m Buying A Newly Constructed Home.   Should I Have A Home Inspection Before I Close On The Sale?
A:  Many new homebuyers have found  too late that their new home has “flaws” or “built-in defects” that could have been disclosed within the scope of a home inspection prior to purchase.    Many homebuyers mistakenly believe that the builder is responsible to “make them happy” regarding any issue about their home if they notify the builder within the first year.   Sadly, it just isn’t true.   We have disclosed many issues or built-in flaws to prospective homebuyers that the builder refused to correct prior to the sale.   We all know he would have refused after the sale as well.

Also, remember that the code officials inspect the home under construction without electrical power and water pressure on the systems.   The home inspector will only inspect with electrical power and water pressure on the systems.   When do you wish to find out you have a missing drain line, loosely fitted condensate drain line (in the attic), or “reverse polarity” on a receptacle circuit in your child’s playroom?   Do you want to know before you move in and place your furniture, or afterwards? 

What about the driveway apron at the street?   If you are buying a house at the bottom of the hill on a cul-de-sac it could make a big difference if the apron is not properly installed.   You could have all the rain water from the street down your driveway and the city street department will not be responsible and probably will not require the builder to correct the apron, which is….to install the apron according to the city’s own regulations.  We know.   We have seen it happen.   In that case, the buyer was able to walk away and buy another property and avoid all the drainage problems caused by the builder and the city’s failure to enforce their own regulations.

Contrary to public belief, the code official is not responsible for “code assurance” that all systems have been installed properly. Most of all, he is not responsible to you - the homebuyer. Only the builder has that responsibility. Let the home inspector be your advocate to discover the  flaws and “uncompleted” installations before you close.

19.  Q:  I’m Selling My Home. Should I Have A Home Inspection Before I Offer My Home For Sale?
A:  The most recent and long-time-coming opinion of many Realtors® is that a Seller would benefit greatly, in most cases, from a thorough home inspection prior to marketing so that they would know, in advance, the true condition of their home and its systems. It is sad when we perform an inspection for the buyer and discover deferred maintenance or defective roofs that could have been corrected or disclosed prior to acceptance of an offer. In some cases, both seller and buyer walk away from the sales agreement disappointed. Most professional Realtors® would be happy to re-pay you for the pre-marketing home inspection after the closing.   It will have made your property easier to sell and will have saved them a lot of headaches as well. By the way ... statistics show that pre-inspected homes sell faster and for more money than homes that are not pre-inspected.   Be smarter than the other guy!

20.  Q:  My Home Is Listed For Sale And My Realtor Has A Warranty On The Home And Its Systems.   Do I Still Need A Pre-Marketing Home Inspection?
A:  Unfortunately, YES!!!!   Most of us do not fully read warranties even though we should - even the so-called “free warranties”.  [This type of warranty is usually the kind that is placed on a property during the listing period in hopes that the buyer will wish to extend it for his first year of ownership. In some cases, the seller agrees to pay for the first warranty year for the buyer at closing.]  

All of the “home warranties” have provisions for “pre-existing conditions” for which the warranty company is not obligated to pay claims, especially the “free” warranties.   Although a warranty company has been known to pay a claim on a pre-existing defect they are typically doing so just to keep a good relationship with that particular realty company due to the volume of business with that firm. It is highly unlikely that any warranty company will pay a claim on a pre-existing worn or defective roof, flashing, plumbing, electrical or kitchen appliance. In some cases they will pay for a “cracked heat exchanger” claim on a furnace because no one can state assuredly when the heat exchanger became defective.  

A pre-marketing inspection would provide you with the knowledge you so badly need before you accept an offer to sell your property for an agreed price. No seller wants to find out his roof is defective after he has accepted an offer and be required to pay for a roof or lose a sale. It’s like betting against the Buyer and the buyer has all the cards.