708-363-7530 or 630-762-8228
The Process of a Home Inspection ~
P.X. Inspects, Inc.
Welcome friends of " News You Can Use"
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What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspections is a non-invasive, formal introduction to your potential new home.
Patrick X. Kelley, of P.X. Inspects, Inc. will conduct a visual inspection of the home and
its systems in order to provide you, the potential homebuyer, with an in-depth
understanding of its physical condition.
Preliminaries
You will be asked to review and sign a pre-inspection agreement prior to the inspection. You may preview this agreement
by clicking on the tab to the left.
You are encouraged to accompany me during the inspection. Your questions and comments are welcomed.
Note: A typical home inspection will take between two or three hours.
Payment is due at the time of inspection. A check is made payable to
Patrick X. Kelley.
Overview of Items Covered – Detailed in Pre-Inspection Agreement.
Visual Inspection of the following:
*When testing any A/C system , the exterior temperature must remain above 65 degrees for a 24-hour period prior to the A/C unit being tested, or damage can occur !
Completion
Upon completion of the inspection we will verbally discuss the summary of my findings and you will have another opportunity to ask any addition questions.
The typed inspection summary is forwarded, via email or fax, to all indicated parties within 48 hours.
A comprehensive report including all handwritten notes taken at the time of inspection, a receipt for payment, a client satisfaction survey and valuable new home buyer information is mailed via USPS upon completion of the report*.
* This full report is deemed your sole property and no other party is entitled to see it, without your permission.
Ethics
As your Illinois State Licensed and certified home inspector, it would be unethical for
me or any other home inspector to recommend contractors, estimate repair costs, recommend whether or not you should purchase
the home, comment on its market value, or benefit in any way from the repair or sale of the home.
Disclaimer
My inspection is limited to the condition of the house at the time of inspection
and what is visually accessible. It is important to understand that an inspection in not a warranty
and that it is limited. Due to the time limitation provided for an inspection, it is not practical
to inspect the thousands of components that create a home.
You can trust me to rely on my professional experience to optimize the time available.
What Really Matters
Buying a home? Relax with a greater understanding of what you are looking at. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. These are all nice to know about in advance in order to help avoid unforeseen repairs. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:
1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
2. Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak, for example.
3. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home.
- As indicated by your mortgage broker, attorney, insurance agent...
4. Safety hazards, such as a double tap in the electric panel, gas leaks...
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. Try to keep things in perspective. It may be inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure, or nit-picky items.
As a professional home inspector, I work exclusively for you, my client, to help make sure that your potential new home is safe and will retain its best value for many years to come.
I am a 'generalist expert'. Best described as one who 'knows something about everything and 'everything about nothing'. To get a better inspection, you would have to hire separate experts in all the different fields of home construction and maintenance, a Journeyman Electrician, a Licensed Plumber, a Master Carpenter, a Licensed HVA/C contractor, a Licensed, Professional Structural Engineer, a Mechanical Engineer, a Licensed Industrial Hygienist and many more. Such a technically exhaustive inspection would cost about $10,000 and take weeks!
A quality home inspection may provide you with the peace of mind that you need and service you deserve.
Are you selling your home?
Taking care of some basic maintenance issues will help ensure you get a more favorable inspection report.
Clean out dirty gutters and debris from the roof. (Install gutter screens or guards).
Trim foliage away from the roof, exterior walls and gutters.
Divert all water away from the house. Clean out outside basement entry drains.
Fill any low spots next to your home.
Have the Furnace and Air Conditioning Units cleaned and replace the HVAC filter.
Remove soil or mulch in contact with siding or brickwork (preferable 6-8 inches of clearance).
Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around trim, chimneys, windows and doors.
Make sure all windows and doors operate easily; replace cracked windows.
Replace all burned out light bulbs.
Make sure plumbing fixtures (toilet, tub, showers, sinks) are in proper working order.
Provide clear access to the attic hatch, crawlspace, heating and cooling systems, water, gas, and electrical meters, electrical panels, garage and other areas that will be inspected.
KEEP ME IN YOUR TOOLBOX !
Direct line: 708 - 363 - 7530 E-Mail PXInspects@aol.com