Everything You Need to Know About Home Inspections
We perform Home Inspections in the Lowcountry, including Charleston, North Charleston, Summerville, Moncks Corner, Goose Creek, Ladson, Hanahan, Mount Pleasant, and surrounding areas. Click the button below to visit our online form to schedule yours! You can also text/call us at (843) 226 - 3640, or email us at info@CarolinaPHI.com to schedule an inspection.
What Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a non-invasive examination of a home, normally done during the process of a sale. During a home inspection, a certified home inspector inspects the property for defects that can reveal structural problems, maintenance issues, or safety hazards.
Do I Really Need a Home Inspection?
Yes! A home inspection is an extremely important part of the home-buying process and you should always have one performed before purchasing a home.
Both major and minor defects in a home are easily missed without the correct training and tools. If you purchase a home without having a certified inspector search for these defects, you could wind up responsible for thousands (or more!) in repair and replacement costs.
A home inspection also provides you with valuable information that can help you forecast future costs. In every home, components are aging and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. After your home inspection, your inspection report will list these major components for you and provide you with their approximate age and expected lifespan. This information can help you plan for future costs so you are ready when they arise.
The home inspection report can additionally give you powerful leverage during negotiations! Using the information on your home inspection report you can request repairs, or even negotiate a price reduction or credit. You can never have too much information when it comes to a major purchase!
To repeat, yes, yes , yes, you need a home inspection! Don’t move forward without having a certified inspector look at the home!
What Does a Home Inspection Cost?
The cost of a home inspection depends on many factors, including the square footage of the home, the year that the home was built, if the foundation is a slab or a crawlspace, and if there are any detached garages or structures being inspected. For an average home, you should expect to spend between $400 to $500 for an inspection.
To receive a price estimate for a home inspection with Carolina Premier Inspections you can visit our convenient online price calculator here. You can also call/text us at (843) 226 -3640, or email us at info@CarolinaPHI.com to get a price quote.
What Exactly Is Inspected For During a Home Inspection?
During a home inspection, just about every accessible part of a home, including the interior, exterior, and crawlspace (when applicable), are inspected for thousands of possible defects/issues. Detached buildings such as a detached garage or a workshop are also inspected by request. A non-exhaustive list of what specific areas of the home are inspected is below.
Home Exterior Inspection
The Roof Covering is inspected.
Roof Drainage Systems are inspected
Windows are inspected for functionality and damage.
Lot Slope and Drainage are inspected to ensure they are sufficient.
Exterior Cladding of the home is inspected.
The exterior of the home is inspected for signs of moisture or pest intrusion.
The Foundation of the home is inspected.
Exterior Mechanical(s) are inspected for functionality.
Exterior Flatwork is inspected.
Exterior Outlets/Wiring are inspected for functionality.
Home Interior Inspection
All Interior Mechanicals are inspected and tested for functionality
An Infrared camera evaluation is performed.
Doors, Windows, Ceiling fans, Light Switches, Outlets, etc. are inspected for functionality.
The interior of the home is inspected for microbial growth.
The interior of the home is inspected for signs of moisture intrusion.
Plumbing Inspection
Faucets, Shower Heads, and Toilets are inspected and tested for proper functionality
Accessible Plumbing Systems are inspected for leaks.
Plumbing systems are pressure tested.
Accessible Drain/Waste Lines are inspected.
Accessible Piping is inspected.
Electrical Inspection
Main Electric Panels and Sub Panel are inspected and tested for functionality.
All Receptacles are inspected and tested for proper functionality and voltage test.
Interior Wiring is inspected.
Smoke and C02 Detectors are inspected.
HVAC Inspection
The equipment is inspected.
The accessible ductwork is inspected.
Temperature readings are taken by infrared to ensure proper heating and cooling throughout the home.
Appliance Inspection
Refrigerators, built-in dishwashers, Built-In microwaves, and Similar Items are inspected for proper functionality.
Attic Inspection
The attic is inspected for signs of wildlife intrusion.
The accessible roof structure is inspected.
Accessible insulation is inspected.
Wood-Destroying Organism Inspection
The home is inspected for signs of present or pest infestations of the following pests:
Subterranean Termites
Wood-destroying Fungi
Drywood Termites
Powder Post Beetles
Carpenter Bees
Other Wood-Destroying Pests
Damage related to the above pests is also inspected for.
A moisture evaluation is performed to ensure that there is not excessive moisture present in the home.
Walk Me Through a Typical Carolina Premier Inspections Home Inspection
A home inspection with Carolina Premier Inspections is designed to be an extremely simple and convenient process.
Once scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email with the invoice and the inspection details.
When the time of the inspection arrives, our licensed inspectors will inspect the exterior, interior, attic, crawlspace, and any attached garages of the structure. This process takes approximately 1 and 1/2 to 3 hours, depending on the square footage and age of the home being inspected. Detached garages and exterior structures like guest suites can also be inspected for a nominal fee.
Your inspection report will be sent to you by email on the evening of the day the inspection is completed. This report will detail all of the findings of the inspection in an easy-to-read format that also categorizes them by severity. The severity ranges from information recommendations, to minor concerns, to major safety concerns. To see a sample report from a Carolina Premier Inspections home inspection, you can click here.
Along with the home inspection report, you will also receive documentation detailing our six-point warranty package that comes included with all Carolina Premier Inspections home inspections. This package includes structural, mechanical, roof leak, sewer, mold, and termite protection policies.
What is a Home Inspector?
A home inspector (in South Carolina, laws vary by state) is an individual who is licensed by the South Carolina Residential Builder’s Commission to perform home inspections. Obtaining this license requires the licensee to perform 50 home inspections under a licensed supervising inspector. They then must complete a 120-hour course, and pass a home inspection examination. As there is no requirement in South Carolina for inspectors to participate in any continuing education, this is where most home inspector’s education ends.
This is not the case at Carolina Premier Inspections. We believe in going above and beyond for our clients, and this includes the training and education of our inspectors. Our lead inspector, Bob Wiggins, regularly travels out of state for continuing education courses, ensuring that our inspectors are always up to date on industry standards and practices.
Furthermore, founder and head inspector Bob Wiggins is board-certified as a Certified Master Inspector. This certification requires the completion of 1,000 fee-paid inspections and rigorous adherence to the industry’s toughest code of ethics.
Carolina Premier Inspections has also received the following certifications from Internachi, the International Association of Home Inspectors. These certifications require completing associated courses and participating in yearly continuing education courses.
Have Further Questions?
We’re always happy to help answer any questions you may have. You can call/text us at (843) 226 - 3640, or email us at info@CarolinaPHI.com.
Ready to Schedule?
Click the button below to visit our convenient online scheduler. You can also call/text us at (843) 226 -3640, or email us at info@CarolinaPHI.com to schedule directly.