What to Expect
The Appointment
When making an appointment with North Shore Inspect, you will be asked to provide basic information about the home including the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, furnaces, age and square footage. We will also need to know the time frame in which the inspection must be completed by (inspection contingency). Based on the information you provide, we will discuss options for availability. If you are in need of radon testing or other services, we have a wealth of contacts for various companies in the area to address any home needs that may arise.
The inspection
The inspection will be conducted as a thorough, methodical visual examination of the property. The interior inspection includes checking the attic for proper framing, insulation and ventilation, as well as any mechanical elements which might be present. We systematically go through the house room by room, checking readily available components such as windows, doors, light fixtures and switches, receptacles, heating/cooling, walls, ceilings and so on. In bathrooms we operate each fixture, checking for water flow, signs of leaks and proper operation. We also check the bathrooms for electrical safety, and investigate areas where water damage is common. Our visual inspection includes components such as fireplaces, and we run included built-in appliances to check for basic operational condition. We operate and examine the HVAC system (weather permitting), the electric service and distribution, and the plumbing system including drain, waste, vent and supply piping as well as sump pumps, ejectors and hot water tanks.
During the exterior inspection, we examine the roof, gutters, siding and trim, chimneys, decks, porches, and balconies, as well as other exterior components such as hose bibs and exterior receptacles. We also visually look at the grading of the property and will point out any drainage issues which might affect the structure.
The on-site inspection time varies based on condition, size, age and complexity of the property. A standard 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath house with 1 furnace typically takes between 2 1/2 to 3 hours to inspect...less if we have two inspectors on the job.
At the end of the inspection, the client provides payment and contact information for receipt of the report. Payment can be made in the form of check, credit card, debit card, cash, Zelle, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. If the client is not present, an invoice can be sent for payment via credit card online or over the phone.
The Report
Clients can expect to receive a comprehensive signed report via email within 24 hours of the inspection. The report will include a summary section that contains the higher priority items such as defects, maintenance items, and recommendations. Following the summary, the report will list each room and system in the house and will document it's condition, age and adequacy.