Home Inspection
Buyers Home Inspection
Congratulations! You’ve made an offer on your new home! Now is the time to schedule a pro home inspection.
A home is a huge structure and probably one of the largest investments you will ever make. It makes fiscal sense to hire a professional with the knowledge and skills needed to check over the many systems and components of a building. Remember, a top home inspection can save you thousands in unexpected repairs or defects and helps ensure your home is safe to live in.
What To Expect
A thorough, detailed and easy-going process. We walk the house with you, describing the various features of the building, taking photographs and talking through any observed defects. Always feel free to ask questions.
After, a report is written supplying you with the facts needed to make financial decisions. Learn more about our reports here.
All Massachusetts and New Hampshire home inspections adhere to local Standards of Practice.
Prepare For A Home Inspection
To help the process go smoothly and quickly, we’ve prepared a simple guide to help prepare for a professional home inspection. We recommend you discuss the following items with your real estate agent to ensure a smooth inspection. Also review our FAQ page for additional details.
- Let us know if there are any specific items of concern.
- Install or replace any missing or blown light bulbs in any non-working fixtures.
- Make panels and hatches accessible for the inspector.
- Move furniture or stored items away from electrical panels, or other access panels or doors.
- Unlock doors that require keys or special considerations.
- Secure pets or ask sellers to take pets with them when they leave.
- Move all excess items away from windows, especially any fragile, expensive, and/or sentimental items.
After The Home Inspection
Reports are typically available within 24-48 hours after the on-site procedure. The inspection report will be emailed to you. If you purchased a radon air test or water test, your home inspection report will provide you with a link to the laboratory website and the vial/canaster/passwords needed to retrieve the document.
Have questions about the report or inspection? We are here to help. After inspection, phone support is always free.
Sellers Home Inspection
We will look over all the items typically observed during a traditional buyer’s inspection to give you an unbiased idea of conditions and defects likely to be discovered during the Home Inspection procedure.
Sellers or Pre-listing inspections will help you anticipate repair needs, navigate possible negotiation points and may even make the property more attractive to buyers.
What To Expect
Below are a few of the items we will check for. Sellers can reduce problems simply by addressing the following issues prior to listing or ordering a full inspection.
- Signs of water damage
- Major structural problems
- Damage to the roof covering
- Issues with the home’s electrical system
- Plumbing problems, corrosion or active water leaks
- HVAC age and functionality
First Look Home Inspection recommends reviewing the FAQ page for additional information regarding the inspection.
What’s Included In An Inspection?
- Foundation
- Concrete, stone, and block are typical.
- Framing
- Floor joists
- Girders
- Sills
- Support Columns
- Crawlspaces
- Roof Coverings
- Framing
- Penetrations
- Skylights
- Ventilation
- Heating & Cooling Systems
- Furnaces
- Boilers
- Distribution
- Heat Sources
- Fuel Source(s)
- Air Conditioning
- Heat Pumps
- Electrical Systems
- Service Entrance
- Electrical Meter
- Main Panel
- Brach Wiring
- Outlets and Switches
- Lighting
- Plumbing Systems
- Water Source
- Well System
- Potable Water Pipes
- Water Heater
- Cross Connections
- Drain, Waste and Vent Pipes
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Fireplaces
- Firebox
- Chimney
- Damper
- Chimneys
- Cement Top
- Rain Hood
- Brickwork
- Attics
- Roof Framing
- Mold/Mildew
- Access and Lighting
- Insulation
- Approximate “R” Value
- Ventilation
- Ridge Vents
- Soffit Vents
- Gable End Vents
- Doors & Windows
- Garage
- Automatic Opener
- Entry Door
- Interior Spaces
- Kitchen
- Bathrooms
- Common Area Rooms
- Bedrooms