ARRANGING THE INSPECTION
In many cases a home inspection must be hastily arranged to meet the deadline of the sales contract. At Safeguard Home Inspection we are 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. We perform inspections every day of the week. Call our office at (770) 992 5575 to arrange a time.

DURATION
The question is often asked: “How long will it take to do the inspection?” It depends. Several variables are involved. The typical duration is about four hours. But it's not unusual for an inspection to last more than 6 hours given the size and condition of the property. At Safeguard we don't cut corners. Our inspections are very thorough.

CUSTOMER INVOLVEMENT
We encourage our clients to arrive at the end of the inspection so that we can go over all the findings in the report. We'll provide a heads-up call to let you know when we're one hour away from finishing.

You should feel free to arrive at the property at any time, but please reserve questions and conversations with the inspector until he is finished to avoid unnecessary distractions.

A complete inspection report, with photos, is printed on site and a comprehensive walk-through all of the issues is conducted. Additionally, the report in a PDF format is emailed the same day.

 

STANDARDS
At Safeguard Home Inspection our certified inspectors 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 we go beyond the industry standards is with the inspection of kitchen appliances, which is not a requirement under NAHI guidelines.

A copy of the NAHI® Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics is attached to every inspection report.

INSPECTION AGREEMENT
Before the report can be issued, the 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.

AREAS OF INSPECTION
There are more than 350 components of a house examined in an average inspection. These 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
  The heating and air conditioning systems will be checked for adequacy and distribution. 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.

Our trained and certified inspectors use advanced equipment to detect carbon monoxide and combustible gases. And our moisture analysis equipment is able to determine if conditions in the home are susceptible to mold.

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED
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
A sampling of the air for radon is conducted at every inspection, free of charge. If it turns out that levels are high, you may want to have a full 2-day radon test performed. In a real estate transaction, a radon test must be conducted for at least two days to be considered an official test. The cost of a 2-day official test using EPA protocols, with a detailed report is $100.

MOLD ANALYSIS

Safeguard Home Inspection can provide a detailed laboratory analysis of mold. Results are available the following business day. The cost is $100 per sample, with a minimum requirement of an outdoor control sample and one indoor sample.

LEAD AND ASBESTOS TESTING

The presence of lead and asbestos can be determined by taking small material samples for laboratory testing.Results are available the following business day. The cost is $50 per sample.

INSPECTION REPORT
At the conclusion of the inspection, a detailed computer-generated inspection report is printed on-site. The report provides significant details and an overall summary of the findings in clear understandable language. If you are unable to be present when the inspection concludes, a copy of the report will be sent by email.

PAYMENT
Payment is due at the time of inspection. We accept checks and cash but presently do not process credit cards.

CALL-BACK OPTION
Safeguard Home Inspection does everything it can to assure satisfaction of the customer. If within 60 days of the original inspection you’d like us to re-examine any parts of the home that have since been repaired or causing new worry, we’ll be happy to return and issue an updated summary for $75.

LIMITED SCOPE EVALUATIONS
From time to time we are asked to examine a particular component of a home, such as a deck or roof installation. The fee for a limited-scope evaluation and summary report is $75

Safeguard Home Inspection, Inc.
(770) 992 5575