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Why would you even consider spending the least amount of money on one of the most important decisions of your lifetime?
Do you want a thorough fact finding investigation and a truthful clearly written report about the property you are considering buying?
That's a lot of money for only a few hours work!
Pablo Picasso, the painter, was dining at a restaurant in New York City. A fan introduced herself to him and gusshed at how thrilled she was to meet the great artist and how she loved his work. Encouraged by Mr. Picasso's polite acceptance, the fan begged, "Oh, Mr. Picasso, would you draw me a sketch?" Picasso grabbed some paper, and with a pen, promptly sketched the waiters passing parfaits. As the woman reached for the sketch, Pablo Picasso said, "Madame. That will be $10,000." Shocked, she replied, "But that only took you 5 minutes." "No Madame," replied Picasso, "it took me 50 years."
I know you thinking, "Well I'm not hiring Picasso and you're no one famous..." but my point is my years of construction experience and continued education in this field are what I intend to provide when you hire me.
I may or may not be the least or most expensive inspection company you contact but I also have no desire in providing you with a low-ball cheap or superficial inspection. My prices vary on a number of factors such as square footage, foundation type, age, location, optional amenities, and the number of items or systems to be inspected…therefore I am unable to provide generic pricing on this website. Please call or send me an email. I will request some basic information and provide pricing and appointment availability quickly with no obligation, to you.
Price shopper warning information:
In the event price is your primary concern please consider the following suggestions:
- Ask an attorney, family, and friends for referral recommendations. See if they've used a low-cost home inspector with any satisfactory results.
- Contact your Realtor and ask them for a referral recommendation. I’m sure most Realtors are familiar with local home inspectors and some would be delighted to recommend the lowest priced home inspector they know. These guys help “their deal” go smoothly.
- Consider using a home inspector Apprentice trainee for your inspection. Larger or volume inspection companies can employ apprentices’. Those who are an Apprentice rather than a Professional Licensed Inspector usually offer bargain pricing as a way to generate business and gain experience. As you can see below it doesn’t take much to qualify and check out #5. What does DPS know about any of the items listed? Do they have this information about you? Try your own name or License numberhttp://www.txdps.state.tx.us/
TREC Apprentice Application Requirements
- Citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
- Resident of Texas at the time application is filed
- Sponsored by a licensed professional inspector
- At least 18 years of age
- Found to be honest, trustworthy, & possessing integrity (Background Investigation through DPS) http://www.trec.state.tx.us/inspector/apprentice_inspector_app.asp
This will not guarantee you anything except proof of licensure.
- Try the local phone book. Many of the inspection firms that advertise here are large, high volume companies that don't do much referral business and try to be low priced to keep landing new customers.
- Search for an inspector on the Internet. Look at the Sponsored Search or Advertisement sections on the top and sides of the page many inspectors here are competing for business and offer cut-rate pricing the companies in the middle section did not pay to advertise and are listed due to popularity or ranking, so they may not be cheap.
- Hire a part-time inspector. On average their pricing is lower than those that do professional home inspections as a full-time career. There are a lot of firemen, policemen, and even truck drivers in this profession. No disrespect meant to any of them but they are part-timers.
No two houses or properties are exactly the same therefore all Professional Inspections are site specific and individualized prices are based upon:
Based on what is Present, Visible, and Accessible I will inspect the following items that may be onsite and included in your thorough inspection, generally more than 1,000 items:
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(AFCI) ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTOR TESTING
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AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING EQUIPMENT, VENTS, AND DUCTWORK
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ALARM SYSTEMS, SMOKE, FIRE, AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION
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ATTIC, STAIRS, INSULATION, VENTS, AND ASSOCIATED STRUCTURE SYSTEMS
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BATHROOM FIXTURES, EXHAUST VENTS, AND HEATERS
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CABINETS, COUNTER TOPS, AND CLOSETS
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CRAWLSPACE, PIERS, BEAMS, GIRDERS, VENTS, AND SUBFLOOR STRUCTURES
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DISHWASHER
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DOOR BELL OR CHIME
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EIFS: EXTERIOR INSULATED FINISH SYSTEMS
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ELECTRICAL SERVICE ENTRANCE, PANELS, AND ALL BRANCH CIRCUITS
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EXTERIOR WALLS, DOORS, SEALANTS, AND WEATHER STRIPPING
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FIREPLACE, HEARTH, DAMPER, FLUE, CAP, AND ARRESTORS
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FOOD WASTE DISPOSAL
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FOUNDATION (SLAB OR PIER AND BEAM)
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FLOOR COVERINGS
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GARAGE DOOR(S) AND OPENER(S)
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GAS LEAK DETECTION (TIF 8800) not matches or soap bubbles
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GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM FROM METER TO APPLIANCES where accessible
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(GFCI) GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTOR TESTING
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GRADING, DRAINAGE, GUTTER, AND DOWNSPOUTS
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HYDROTHERAPY TUB & EQUIPMENT
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INTERIOR WALLS, DOORS, CEILINGS, AND FLOORS
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LANDSCAPING EFFECTS ON STRUCTURE
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LAWN AND GARDEN SPRINKLER
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MICROWAVE
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OVEN, COOKTOP, AND RANGE
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OTHER INSTALLED KITCHEN APPLIANCES
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OUTDOOR COOKING EQUIPMENT
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PLUMBING SUPPLY, DRAINS, WASTE, AND VENTS
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PORCHES, DECKS, BALCONIES, STAIRS, AND HANDRAILS
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RANGE HOOD AND EXHAUST VENT
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ROOF COVERING, FLASHINGS, AND ROOF STRUCTURE
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SEPTIC SYSTEMS
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STORAGE BUILDINGS WITH UTILITIES
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SWIMMING POOL, HOT TUB, SECURITY, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
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TRASH COMPACTOR
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WATER HEATER
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WELLS
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WINDOWS, SCREENS, LINTELS, FLASHING, AND DOOR GLAZING
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WHOLE HOUSE VACUUM SYSTEMS
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WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS AND MICROBIAL ORGANISMS
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Additional items and systems unique to a particular property can also be inspected.
Minimum Professional Inspection fees start at $299
Minimum Daily Rate: $1,299 plus expenses when other subcontractors or travel is involved.
All fees are due at the time of inspection.
Method of payment is cash, check, or money order.
Out of town payment accompanied by signed contract and cashier check prior to time of inspection.
Please contact me so we can discuss your specific needs.
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