Home Inspection Info
The inspection process begins with our Contract. North Carolina requires the use of a written contract/agreement between Home Inspectors and their clients. You will receive a copy of this document for your signature at the time of scheduling by email. The contract can be signed and returned by email or it can be signed immediately before the inspection. We encourage you to preview it in advance so that you become better aware of what exactly will be inspected and what will be excluded. To preview Sandbar Home Inspections contract, please click here. The amount of time it takes to inspect a home depends on the size, age, and condition of the home. (One to one and half hours per 1000 square feet is a reasonable rule of thumb for newer construction.) Your presence following the inspection is strongly encouraged! We find that we can achieve the best results when clients are able to review what the inspector has found after the inspection has been completed. There is no substitute for firsthand observation and immediate conversation about the many topics which will surely be of interest. Your clearly written computerized report with color photos will then reinforce what you saw at the inspection. For those clients who are unable to attend, the finished report is a close second to being there. If you have questions, you are encouraged to contact your inspector via text, email or phone. We will gladly be available to discuss any aspects of the home inspection. A home inspection is an evaluation of the visible and accessible systems and components of a home and is intended to give our client an understanding of their condition. Our inspections are for safety, structure and mechanical operation, but not code compliance. We will always be looking for safety issues, items that are not functioning as they should, and systems that are nearing the end of their useful life. Our goal is not to alarm, but to inform our clients, in order to help them to make a sound decision. The areas to be inspected include, but may not be limited to, the following systems and components:
Electrical System
Service drop and entrance conductors, service panels, volts and amperage, outlets, and switches.
Plumbing System
Water and waste pipes, vent systems, fixtures, water heaters, and sump pumps.
Roof System
Roof covering, roof drainage, skylights, chimneys, and flashings.
Insulation and Ventilation
Insulation in basements, crawl spaces and attics. Ventilation for attics, crawl spaces, kitchens, baths, and laundry areas.
Exterior
Siding, trim, doors, decks, steps, porches, vegetation, surface drainage, walks, driveways, and patios.
Structural
Foundations, framing, floors, walls, ceilings, and roof structure.
Interior
Walls, ceilings, floors, stairs, cabinets, counters, doors, and windows.
Heating and Cooling System
Heating systems, central and through-wall air conditioners, vents, and energy sources.