Elite Home Inspections & Co.

It is the seller/owner’s responsibility to get the property ready for an inspection. The seller/owner should:

1. Have all utilities turned on (water, electric, gas)
2. Clear access to areas such as the attic, electric panels, HVAC units, water heaters, and crawl spaces
3. Unlock areas such as storage closets, sheds, and fences/gates
4. Make sure pets are secured or removed from property during inspection

While it is not necessary for you to be present, it is always recommended that you make time to speak with the inspector for a summary of their findings.

This allows you to better understand the inspector’s findings and ask questions about the condition of the home, how its systems work and how to maintain them.

After you have discussed the property with the inspector you will find the written report easier to understand.

We request payment at the time of inspection. Payment can be made by Cash, Venmo or Zelle, Credit Card, or Check.

Typically, your inspection report will be available within 24 hours of the inspection being performed.

If you have a specific time frame to work in, please let us know of your deadline and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule.

A home inspection is not an appraisal or a check for compliance with building codes and it’s not an evaluation for any biological or environmental hazards. We are unable to inspect things hidden by objects and are unable to see through walls. Before your home inspection, you will have an inspection agreement sent to you which specifically states our limitations. However, you can be assured that everything that can be inspected will be inspected.

For more information on limitations, visit www.ASHI.org and click on the “ASHI Standards of Practice” link. 

There are also limitations to the depth of evaluation a home inspector can perform. There are components to systems that are not visible without dismantling the system and are unable to be inspected. The inspector can evaluate only what is visible.

Although cosmetics and minor deficiencies may be discussed and even reported, this is not the purpose of the inspection and should not be the focus of concern throughout the inspection.

No house or apartment is perfect. When the inspector identifies problems, it does not necessarily mean you should not buy the house. Their findings serve to educate you in advance of the purchase about the condition of the property.

A seller may adjust the purchase price or contract terms if major problems are discovered during an inspection.

If your budget is tight or you do not want to be involved in future repair work, this information will be extremely valuable.

If using a Realtor, your agent may utilize the issues found in an inspection to renegotiate the terms of the sale.

In many cases, your insurance agent will request a wind mitigation report and/or 4-point inspection report in order to obtain and secure insurance. These reports can often save you a significant amount of money off your homeowner’s insurance premium.

The wind mitigation inspection evaluates a home’s existing wind mitigation components including roof age and shape, door and windows, roof deck attachment, and roof to wall attachment. A wind mitigation report has the ability to lower your wind insurance premium.

A four point home inspection is basic and limited to cover a home’s roof, HVAC system(s), electrical and plumbing systems. Many insurance companies require a four point report for homes over 20 years of age to qualify for insurance.