FAQs

At HomeSentry Inspections we do our best to answer all of your questions. Below you will find a list of what we believe are the most frequently asked questions. If you have any questions that have not been answered below, do not hesistate to contact us.

How long does the home inspection take?

A typical inspection should take 2 to 3 hours to complete. This can vary, given the current condition and size of the home, the accessibility of mechanical systems, and so on. As a courtesy to sellers, we recommend that they be informed of the timeframe in a pre-purchase home inspection situation.

What do you examine?

We inspect the major systems of the house. These include the Roof, Exterior, Structure, Electrical, Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Insulation, and Interior. Our goal is to identify any existing major problems that a seller or buyer would want to be aware of.

How much does an inspection cost?

Our typical fee for an inspection varies depending on type of home, location, size of home and age. If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the deciding factor unless the level of service offered is identical. Remember, you are considering a major purchase and your choice of home inspector should be based on getting the best value, not just the best price.

What is included in the fee?

Complete home inspection conducted by a Nachi Certified Inspector.
Comprehensive digital home inspection report with photos and suggestions.
Technical support for one year after your scheduled inspection.
Great customer service

Can I follow along?

Being present during time of inspection is encouraged. Please allow the inspector to perform his/her full inspection first and then get together for a summary and ask any questions you may have.

Do I have to take notes?

You don't have to take notes during the inspection. We will document everything in a digital report. It's much better to ask the inspector questions at completion of inspection, listening to his comments to make sure you understand.

Can I ask questions?

Absolutely! You may want to bring some questions that you have regarding the home.If the inspector's comments or explanations are not clear, please ask for clarification.

Can I bring my family?

We recommend that you not bring your family; this is a technical evaluation, and you will be interacting with the inspector — the fewer distractions, the better.

Do I get report? When?

You do receive a digital report. It would be unfair to ask you to remember all of the things we cover during a home inspection. The report includes a summary of the condition of the home and details on all the major systems of the home. It is delivered within 24 hours after the inspection.

If it's really bad, will you tell us not to buy the house?

No. Our goal is to report on the condition of the house, indicating potential repairs and expenses. Ultimately, it is your decision as to whether or not you buy the house. The home inspection is very important but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Only you know all of the factors at play. Your real estate professional can help you here.

Do you offer a warranty on the house?

A home inspection is a professional opinion based on less-than-complete information. It's a little like getting a check-up from your doctor. It improves your odds of good health but there is no guarantee or warranty. Some problems can only be discovered by living in a house; they cannot be discovered during a home inspection. For example, some shower stalls leak when people use the shower but don't leak when you simply turn on the shower. Some roofs and basements only leak when specific weather conditions exist. Some problems will only be discovered when carpets are lifted, furniture is moved or finishes are removed. As such, we cannot, and do not, offer a warranty on the house. Home warranty programs are available from others. We would be happy to help you contact a warranty company.

How many inspectors do you have?

We currently have 3 full-time professionals available to perform inspections. All of our inspectors are certified and have been through a comprehensive training program. Continuing education is also a part of every good home inspector’s life.

What are your inspectors' qualifications?

The owner of HomeSentry Inspections has 30+ years of construction experience and is InterNachi and AHIT certified. Additional inspectors are trained by the owner of company and are also Certified InterNachi Inspectors. They are also required to continually adhere to continued education requirements. All are hired for their excellent communication skills and their hands-on experience.

Are you members of any professional organization?

InterNachi, AHIT and CSLB training.

How many days notice do I need to give you?

Our team of inspectors is ready to serve you quickly. However, when the sale of a home is conditional on the results of a home inspection, we recommend that you allow at least three days to arrange for a home inspection.

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Structures 101 – What You Should Know About The “Bones”

"This house isn't going anywhere." Or is it!?

Serious structural problems in houses are not very common, but when they occur they are never cheap to fix. Some can’t be fixed at all. This report won’t turn you into a home inspector, but it will give you some of the common indicators.

Uneven Floors

Uneven floors are typical, particularly in older homes. Here is a trick to help distinguish between a typical home with character and a structural problem. It’s not unusual for an older home to have the floor sag in the middle. On the other hand, if the floor slopes toward an outside wall, there is a good chance that the house has a significant structural problem.

Leaning House

While no house is perfect, this is one area where you should be very careful. Take a look at the house from across the street. If the house appears to be leaning one way or the other, there may be a structural problem. It may help to line up a front corner of the house with the back corner of an adjacent house just for reference. The corners should be parallel. Stepping back from the house to take a look is always a good idea. It is easy to miss something major by standing too close to it! If there is a lean that is detectable by eye, don’t take any chances. Get it checked out.

Horizontal Foundation Cracks are Bad

It is not uncommon to find cracks in the foundation. This goes for new houses as well as old ones. While there is a great deal of engineering that goes into “reading” these cracks, there is one rule that you should never forget. “Horizontal cracks are a problem”. Of course not all vertical cracks are acceptable, but they are generally not as serious as a horizontal crack.

Harmless Cracks

Shrinkage cracks in a new house: Most new foundations will develop small vertical cracks. These cracks are a result of the concrete shrinking as it cures. These cracks are about 1 /8 inch wide or less. They don’t affect the structure. The only concern is leakage. If you see small cracks in a new foundation, don’t panic. In fact, in a new home, some builders will pre-crack the foundation and fill the crack with flexible material.

Plaster Cracks:

Few things are more misunderstood than plaster cracks on the inside of the house.

The following crack types are not generally related to structural movement -

a small crack (less than 1/4 inch) that follows the corner of the room where two walls meet
small cracks that extend up from the upper corner of a door opening

The following cracks may be related to structural movement –

large cracks (larger than 1/4 inch in width)
cracks that run diagonally across the wall
cracks on the interior finish that are in the same vicinity as cracks on the exterior of the house.

Line drawings are from the Carson Dunlop Home Inspection Training Program and Home Inspection Software Tool – Horizon