Tri-County Inspection and Consulting Services Huntersville, North Carolina
Phone: 704-728-9610
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FAQ

BUYERS' FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

A home inspection is a visual non-invasive, non-technically exhaustive, physical examination of the property. It is designed to identify all materialsand defects in systems, structures and components at the time of the inspection. A defect is a condition which affects value, desirability, habitability and/or safety of the home. If major problems are found, the inspector may recommend subsequent further evaluation.

ARE HOME INSPECTORS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED?

Yes, in North Carolina, all home inspections performed for a fee are required to be done by a NC Licensed Home Inspector. The regulatory body governing home inspectors in North Carolina is the NC Home Inspector Licensure Board. Their home page is http://www.nchilb.com.

DO I REALLY NEED AN INSPECTION?

There is no home that is too new or too well built not to benefit from a professional inspection. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase and be able to make your conscious buying decision. Sellers, if you have owned your property, we can help identify potential problems and recommend preventive measures, which might avoid future expenses or repairs.

DO I NEED TO BE PRESENT FOR THE INSPECTION?

It is not required for you to be present, but we encourage the client to attend and observe the inspection so their questions can be fully answered and explained. We feel this is a helpful and wanted option and will certainly complement the inspection. If you're not able to attend the full inspection, possibly you can attend at the end so together we can go on a detailed walk through to review our findings. The inspection time from start to finish is generally two to four hours.

INSPECTION COST SHOULD NOT BE A MAJOR FACTOR:

The cost should not be a factor in the decision whether or not to have a home inspection or when selecting an inspector. Compared to the price of the property, the inspection cost is very small. The inspector's experience, training and professional affiliations should be an important consideration. All inspectors are different with varying experience and report writing. Sure you can find savings, but the bargain inspector could miss hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars' worth of repairs!

WHY INSPECT NEW CONSTRUCTION?

Regardless of your home builder, the home is not totally free of defects. A builder can’t possibly oversee everyone of these elements and some mistakes and oversights will occur, even when the most talented and best-intentioned sub-contractors are involved. It is also unfortunate these days that some builders do not stand behind their workmanship and may not fix or replace defective components installed after final acceptance.

WHAT IF THE INSPECTION REPORT REVEALS DEFECTS?

Homes are not perfect. If the inspector observes reports and identifies problems, it doesn't mean you shouldn't buy the home. Now you will know in advance what to expect. A seller may adjust the purchase price if major problems are found. A home purchase is difficult on anyone’s budget. If you don't want to be involved in future repairs, this information will be valuable to you.

IS A CONTRACT REQUIRED FOR A HOME INSPECTION?

Yes, all licensed home inspectors in North Carolina are required to provide a written contract that shall describe the services performed, standards of practice, limitations and the cost of the services. This contract is required to be signed before the home inspection is performed.