It is a good idea to chat with a few potential inspectors before making an offer on a home regarding items such as:
- Availability / timeframe
- Pricing
- Familiarity with area and style of home
- Newer or older homes
- Certification
Some of them may be willing to provide a sample report to you. Or you can take a look at this sample report.
When it comes down to the inspection timeframe, most are available to schedule an appointment within 2 or 3 days of the request. They usually will take between 2 and 3 hours or so. You don’t need to be there the whole time, and many will ask you to be there for the last hour or 1.5 hours.
Structure Tech
http://www.structuretech1.com/
Heartland Inspections
*can schedule on short notice
http://www.HeartlandInspections.com
Dave Kirwin
Kurt Schwartwald
Tom Allen
Dave Klutch
www.harmonyhomeinspections.com/
Prairie Home Inspections
Rick Price or Bill Laughlin
Tim Igoe- Insight Home Inspections
Radon Inspectors
Radon has recently become a well-known issue, and there is quite a push to have radon tests done. You can have a radon test done in the home as part of your inspection timeframe. The below inspectors can do a radon test with their inspection, but it takes a minimum of 48 hours for measurement. They usually leave a detector at the house and come back to pick it up in a couple of days. But keep in mind that this test must be completed within your inspection timeline. Usually, they will drop off the radon detector 2 days before your general inspection and the results will be ready at the general inspection.
It’s up to you if you want to do a radon inspection. If the house already has a radon system installed, it is likely that the levels already meet the EPA guidelines, but you can still have the test done to make sure the system is working properly if you wish.
Quality Radon Services
Brad Nyberg
BradRadonMan@aol.com
612-521-3580
The Radon Guys
info@radonnet.com
763-416-6768
www.RadonFixed.com
Mateffy Engineering
Leslie H. Mateffy III
651-636-6166
les@mateffyeng.com
http://www.mateffyeng.com/services_radon.html
More information on radon can be found at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/radon
Radon mitigation costs can vary depending on the house. These costs usually vary between $500 to $2000.
Sewer Line Scope Inspection
You may want to consider a sewer scope inspection. This inspection is on the main sewer line using a video camera. They send a camera down the line to check for cracks or damage. The reason this inspection is important is that sewer lines are expensive to fix.
Ron The Sewer Rat
http://www.ronthesewerrat.com/
John’s Drains
Chimney Inspections
If you have a fireplace in your new home, it is also recommended to do a chimney inspection. Chimneys can have various issues from cracks in the liners to dangerous buildup or failing masonry. Rebuilding a chimney from the ground up can range around $25,000. But a typical fireplace chimney inspection should be between $200-300.
Copperfield Chimney Sweeps
Contact: Skelley, Victor
Nick’s Chimney Service
http://www.nickschimneyservice.com
Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps
http://www.MplsBlueSkyChimneySweeps.com
Swimming Pool/Hot Tub Inspection
If you happen to have purchase a home with a hot tub or a pool, you may want to consider an inspection of those systems as well.
Dolphin Pool, Ed
Custom Pools
952-933-2255
Pam Howard Homes 