Q. Why should I have a home inspection?

A: There are several reasons. Buying a home is a significant financial obligation that should involve careful consideration. Among the important factors of location, crime rate, schools, proximity to work, taxes and so forth, the physical conditions and operational states of the systems and components must be evaluated. This is where an independent inspector can offer critical information that can either validate everything is okay or repairs are needed that can possibly be negotiated. It’s a known fact consumers routinely make decisions based on emotion. We offer technical information (independent of emotion) that can position clients to make a sound decision. The American Society of Home Inspectors Association performed an extensive nationwide study that stated the returned value of a home inspection at just over $1,500. Given the average fee for an inspection is $400, this is not only a good value but it provides Peace of Mind and possibly negotiable repairs.

Q. Do home inspections include a termite inspection?

A: We specialize in evaluating the various systems and components a home or commercial building may have. During the course of inspecting, we are on full alert for any damage that may be attributed to wood-destroying insects, whether it is powder post beetles or termites. Termite inspectors have a slightly different inspection protocol where they are experts at detecting the presence and species of wood-destroying insects. Though a termite letter is NOT part of a comprehensive inspection, we do offer it for an additional charge. Sure Thing Your Home Inspections prefers to have the termite inspector onsite at the time of our inspection to compare notes and consult with one another. 


A: This is somewhat difficult to answer. However, in most cases, buyers have a contingency in the purchase contract that not only allows for the inspection to take place but also allows the buyer to either negotiate repairs for discovered discrepancies or simply walk away from the deal. Consulting with your professional realtor is the best option.


A: Anytime you spend money on the purchase of a property and it involves a service, a contract is strongly encouraged and almost expected. In our case, we adhere to the Standards of Practice for the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors to ensure compliance and thoroughness. The agreement should clearly outline what the inspector should be doing during the inspection as well as stipulations outside the boundaries of the inspection (such as making repairs on discovered items needing repair, which clearly constitutes a conflict of interest).

Q. How much does a typical home inspection cost?

A: The price can vary depending upon the size of the home, the age of the home, foundation type, and where the property is located. Because of this, it is difficult for us to provide an estimate without having specific information on the house. Pricing usually starts at $320 and fluctuates depending on the home and what may be added. We factor in if the client is a repeat customer, as well as military and first responders.

Q. Does the seller have to repair all items listed on the inspection report?

A: Everything in real estate is negotiable. We recently inspected a home where one of the contingencies was for the seller to include the 40 chickens and a rooster in order for the deal to go through. Usually, the realtors are instrumental in negotiating any necessary repairs.

Q. Will the inspection report include the cost of repairs?

A: Inspectors should only stick to what they do best…educating and reporting items of concern. As smart as we think we are, we are not contractors. We may not know current material costs or an accurate amount of time required to perform a given repair. We encourage our clients to either request repairs be performed by a qualified contractor (ask for receipts) or share our professional report with a contractor. We do offer our trusted resource page that includes companies we know, like, and trust (Click here

Q. Will the lender see the home inspection report?

A: No. Our clients pay for the information in the report. Usually, we send a courtesy copy to their agent and nowhere else.

Q. Can we ask the home inspector to alter or omit items in the report if we do not want them to become issues with the lender?

A: Our company will not agree to do that. We operate by the highest Standards of Ethics and will not compromise our integrity or fiduciary responsibility to tell the truth.

Q.Does the buyer need to be on site during the home inspection?

A: We love having our clients witness how hard we’re working on their behalf. We strive to ensure our inspections are informative and interactive. Not only will we report defects, but we will also inform our clients about emergency shutoffs, how to change the property’s filters (both air and water), how to improve the energy efficiency, talk about the importance of indoor air quality, general maintenance and more. Invariably, at the end of the inspection, our clients know more about the property than the current owners! However, it is not imperative or necessary that the buyer be there for the inspection. Your full comprehensive report, including pictures, will cover everything you would need to know from an inspection. 

Q. How long does an inspection take to complete?

A: It depends on age, size, foundation type and how well the property has been maintained (or neglected). Our typical inspections last between 2.5 to 4 hours. We had one inspection that took 10 hours and 40 minutes but the home was quite large, very neglected and needed more than $100,000 in repairs. We stay onsite until we feel we have comprehensively evaluated the home–no time limit–and no extra fees for additional time needed.

Q. What happens after the inspection?

A: At Sure Thing Home Inspection, we believe that once our clients establish a relationship with us, it is timeless and endless. We offer unlimited technical advice for as long as our clients like (whether it’s their home, a neighbor’s home or a friend’s home! Our inspectors have all this accumulated knowledge and expertise that we want to share.

Q. How do I choose an inspector?

A: Often times our office receives calls from prospective clients and their only question is: “How much?” Of course, the price should be a consideration, but it should be one of the multiple considerations. We coach clients to ask:

* What are the credentials of the inspector?

* Are you an active member of a professional home inspector association?

* What quality control checks do you have to ensure accuracy and thoroughness?

* How long will you be onsite?

* Does your service have a satisfaction guarantee?

* Can I attend the inspection?

* Can I ask questions after the inspection?

* May I see a sample inspection report?