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How Long Will the Inspection Take?
2 to 5 hours, depending on the square footage, age, number of HVAC systems, condition of the home, and the presence of a crawl space. Be aware that many home inspectors are in and out in little more than an hour. They charge a low price because they are in and out so quickly that they can do 3 home inspections a day and make their money in volume. (Some are overweight or physically unable to access the attic or crawl spaces, which obviously speeds up their inspection). They don't test every window, door, or outlet. We prefer to charge a fair price, do a great job and spend as much time as necessary on the home and the report.
What About Mold?
There is no "safe" or "unsafe" limit or standard set by the EPA, or any other government agency for mold--it is completely unregulated. So while there is no limit on mold, it is not something you want to have in abundance in or under your house. Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce and the spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, and other organic substances. When excessive moisture or water accumulates, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in a building; the way to control mold growth is to control moisture. While there is no regulatory limit for mold, it may adversely affect the health of those with certain allergies, asthma, or other respiratory illnesses, and if you consider yourself at risk we encourage you to retain an industrial hygienist or mold specialist to evaluate the building.
Should I Have a New Home Inspected?
Absolutely! New homes are routinely inspected (it's approximately 30% of our business). It is encouraged, especially if the seller is paying closing costs. We've never inspected a house where we didn't discover defects. Examples of problems often found in new homes are: leaking water supply lines or drains, damaged roof shingles, broken or mal-functioning windows, furnaces and water heaters improperly vented (creating fire hazards), bathrooms vented into attics, floor and ceiling joists excessively drilled or notched, etc.
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