Home Inspections
Your house is your biggest investment. You don't want to be surprised by problems after you move in. You need the best inspection available. I can help you with that.
Whether the house you're buying is big or small, 1 year old or 100, I'll help you understand its condition and how the systems operate. My goal is for you to feel confident making an informed purchase decision.
A home inspection is a visual evaluation of the major systems in the house including structure, roof, exterior, heating/cooling, plumbing, electrical and the interior. As long as it's safe and accessible I'll walk on roofs, enter attics and crawl spaces, remove access panels and operate equipment. I'll look at every room in the house using the Standards of Practice of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI®).
All this will be summarized in an easy-to-read home inspection report. See the home inspection FAQ page for more information.
New Construction Inspections
Think there couldn't be anything wrong with a brand new house because it's already passed a municipal inspection? Think that the builder's 'quality control' person is going to catch all the mistakes? Think again!
There's a whole section of inspection defect photos dedicated to screw-ups in new construction. Smart home buyers are having Cornerstone Inspection look the property over before they sign on the dotted line. I'll look at the house from top to bottom, inside and out and I'll present my findings in a detailed inspection report. I find more than a dozen problems at most new houses. Often, the cost of the inspection is less than the cost to repair just one item.
A Lawyer Talks - Things to do before you sign a contract on a new house by newspaper columnist/home inspector Walter Jowers is required reading for anyone buying a new house.
1-Year Warranty Inspections
What? You didn't get your brand new house inspected before you moved in?
If you have a warranty, it might not be too late to have the builder correct items that were not constructed properly. A one year warranty inspection will reveal construction defects that most home owners will not find on their own. It will be summarized in a detailed inspection report.
You should schedule your warranty inspection at least a month before the warranty expires.
Pre-Drywall Inspections
A pre-drywall inspection is a unique opportunity to check the skeleton of your new house while it's still visible. This inspection will include framing and rough installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Most of these systems won't be visible after construction is complete. The exterior shell should be weather-tight, meaning that doors and windows are installed, roof covering is in place and exterior walls are either wrapped or have the finish siding installed. This is sometimes called a 'framing inspection' or a 'rough-in inspection'.
Forensic Consulting and Expert Witness
Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. I provide specialized consulting services such as evaluating structural condition, documenting construction defects, identifying moisture problems, forensic consulting, expert witness and litigation support. My findings will be presented in a well-documented report. Please call and I'll be happy to discuss your situation and how I can help.
Radon Screening
The US Surgeon General warns that radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
- It's invisible, odorless and tasteless. Testing is the only way to know the risk.
- EPA & Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the 3rd floor.
- Cornerstone uses an EPA approved continuous electronic monitoring device.
- Minimum 48 hour test.