Find a home inspector you can trust with Blue Ridge Home Inspections
Are you looking for a full home inspection or something more specific? We have you covered with inspection services ranging from general home inspections to water quality testing, termite (WDO) inspections, testing for radon gas, thermal imaging, HUD inspections, video walk-throughs, and more. Gain greater peace of mind and clarity when buying a home, or ensure a smooth transaction with maximum return when selling your home.
Purchasing a new home also means buying that home's problems. With a general home inspection you can see exactly what you're buying. Problems discovered during the inspection could allow you to renegotiate to offset the costs of repairs — potentially saving you thousands of dollars. We'll even help you become familiar with the property.
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Sometimes selling your home can be just as much of a roller coaster as buying one. Getting a pre-listing home inspection can help ensure a quick and smooth transaction. You can enter the selling process with confidence that there won't be any nasty surprises. You'll also avoid delays, which could last for weeks or even months.
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Unfortunately, new does not always mean perfect. In fact, new doesn't even guarantee good. Material defects and human error during the construction process can lead to expensive problems later on. A new construction home inspection can help identify these problems early, when they're cheaper to fix. Some issues may even be covered under warranty.
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An annual home maintenance inspection will help to identify potential problems before they can become major financial or safety issues. With a trained eye, we know where and how to look for problems that might go unnoticed for years. A home maintenance inspection covers common problem areas including the roof and attic, basement and foundation, grading and drainage, electrical systems, water heating systems, and much more.
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We understand that you may be buying your home from out of state, and don't have the luxury of seeing the property first-hand. For situations like yours, we offer a quick video walk-through to guide you through the home — showing you around the property with little to no commentary to help you get more familiar with the house. Some of the major concerns might be brough up. With a better feel for what you're buying, you can have more confidence in your decision.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has strict requirements that a property must meet to qualify for financing. A HUD inspection is required to evaluate a residence based on 13 requirements ranging from sanitary facilities to refuse disposal, security, lighting and electricity, indoor air quality, water supply, smoke detectors, and more. A HUD inspection may be performed by a HUD inspector or a private inspection company with special training.
Looking to buy an investment property with up to four separate units? We'll show you the current state of the property along with any needed repairs. The items covered in a multi-unit inspection are similar to a standard home inspection, with pricing depending on the size of the property. Get in touch with us for more information.
A mobile or manufactured home is inspected in much the same way as a standard home inspection. However, these factory-built homes come with their own unique problems. We will perform a thorough inspection to look for additional, potentially costly, issues such as misaligned connections, improperly installed moisture barriers, and sagging of the structure.
Water quality testing is important to verify that the water in your home is not tainted by any dangerous or offensive contaminants such as certain strains of bacteria, lead, nitrates/nitrites, other heavy metals such as arsenic, and more. Water quality tests should be performed regardless of whether the water comes from a public source or a private well.
Radon is a naturally produced, radioactive gas — and the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind cigarettes. Radon gas can enter your home through the foundation and collect in the basement. A radon test will help to protect your family by checking for hazardous concentrations. If levels are too high, then a radon mitigation system should be installed.
Commonly referred to as a termite inspection, Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) inspections look for more than just termites, including wood boring beetles and wood destroying fungus. Termites alone cause billions of dollars in property damage every year in the United States. Because they can be difficult to detect, a properly trained inspector is necessary to check for the presence of any WDOs in your home.
A home inspection is limited to what the inspector can see. Thermal imaging (infrared) gives us a whole new way of seeing, and can detect problems that are invisible using more conventional methods. Thermal imaging is great for detecting moisture issues, electrical problems, and even areas where energy loss is occurring.
Check faucets and showers, looking for visible leaks as well as testing water pressure. Identify the types of pipes used, if visible. Identify the location of the main water shutoff valve.
Identify the type of wiring, test all outlets and make sure there are GFCIs installed where needed to protect from electrical shock. Inspect the electrical panel for safety issues and fire hazards.
Determine the age of the furnace and air conditioner, whether or not they function properly, and possibly recommend repairs or maintenance.
Determine the age of the water heater and check for proper installation. We can also determine the condition and possibly give an estimated remaining life span of the unit.
Check for proper ventilation. A poorly ventilated dryer exhaust can be a serious fire hazard.
Test smoke detectors and ensure that the garage wall, if present, has the proper fire rating and is undamaged. Also check the fireplace for proper installation and maintenance.
Check for visible leaks, properly secured toilets, proper ventilation to prevent moisture related issues, and more.
If possible, check for structural damage and proper ventilation. Also check insulation and ensure that nothing is ventilated directly into the attic, such as the bathroom.
Check for damaged or missing siding, cracks, and excessive soil contact which can be an invitation for pests.
Check for possible foundation failure, indicated by cracks or settling.
Check to ensure that the ground slopes away from the house, which prevents water from entering the house or causing damage to the foundation.
If accessible and visible, check for roof damage or poor installation that may allow for water penetration as well as checking the condition of the gutters.
Test the garage door for proper functionality, check for proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and check for risks of explosion from ignition sources too close to the floor.
Blue Ridge Home Inspections provides professional home inspection services in Western North Carolina covering Asheville & Buncombe County and surrounding areas including Henderson County, Haywood County, Transylvania County, Madison County, Yancey County, Mcdowell County, Rutherford County, Polk County, and Jackson County. Not sure if that's you? Give us a call at (828) 243-7402 or send us an email.