Commonly asked questions
- How much time does it take to inspect a home?
- Can I observe the inspection process?
- Will I receive a written report and what will it look like?
- How and when will I receive the report?
- Some inspection companies print out a copy of the report on site at the completion of the inspection. Why does your take longer?
- How much does a home inspection cost?
• How much time does it take to inspect a home? The two principal factors are the size of the home and the number of concerns that need to be addressed. On average, a 2000 square foot home generally requires 3 to 4 hours. Afterwards, Matt will then take as much time as is needed to help you understand the nature and implication of any findings.
• Can I observe the inspection process? Yes! Matt feels that there is no better way to become knowledgeable about the home than to observe the entire inspection. For liability reasons, however, we cannot allow you to climb onto the roof or enter the crawl space (but we’ll take good pictures!).
• Will I receive a written report and what will it look like? Yes. Oregon law requires that an inspector submit a written report to the client following an inspection. The report must contain certain criteria but it can take shape in a variety of formats. The report can range from a simple checklist to a detailed narrative, or a combination of the two.
Our reports are written in an entirely narrative style, which we believe gives you the benefit of receiving as much information about the home and its condition as possible. There is a summary at the beginning that generally includes only those issues that will cost the most money, are safety issues that should be addressed immediately or items that you have expressed a special interest in. The report itself is easy to read and reference, as all concerns and issues are in colored ink with bold print. It also contains digital photographs that supplement our comments to better illustrate and describe certain aspects of the home where attention needs to be drawn.
Many realtors have also found that having a comprehensive format along with photographs makes their job easier when it comes to negotiating with the seller’s agent (possibly saving you money). A sample copy of our written report can be viewed on the “don't forget to look here” page.
• How and when will I receive the report? You and your representative (if so desired) will receive the written report, including the summary, by the following morning. It is sent via e-mail in a PDF format. (If you do not have access to a computer, every effort will be made to hand deliver a hard copy in the same time frame.) We will also send you a hard bound copy (via postal service) of the report that includes the complete report, the summary, a copy of the signed agreement and a copy of the Oregon Home Inspectors Standards of Practice to keep for your records.
• Some inspection companies print out a copy of the report on site at the completion of the inspection. Why does your take longer? Creating a report on site appeals to a client base whose emotions are screaming “time is of the essence!” While we are quite aware that there is a time element involved in most real estate transactions, we feel there is much more for you to gain from a report that takes a little longer to prepare.
On site reports are usually generated by entering data into the report after the completion of inspecting one area or system. In effect, the report is being finalized as the inspector moves about the structure. At Clear Image we have made the choice to slow down the process a notch in the interest of providing a document for you that is as accurate and comprehensive as possible.
Writing the report in our office allows us the time to be more analytical and objective about the data taken. It also gives us the time and opportunity to receive expert advice from outside specialists if we think it may benefit you. While it requires more time on our part, the end result is a report that best describes the condition of the home and is worded in a manner that everyone can clearly understand. We do this so that you will be more informed and comfortable in your knowledge of the home and therefore more confident with any decisions you make.
• How much does a home inspection cost? There are a variety of methods that inspection companies use to calculate fees. One method is to charge a percentage of the value of the home. Some companies have a standard base fee based on the square footage of the home and then have additional fees for detached garages, older homes, crawl spaces, etc. We’ve chosen to base our fees strictly on the living space square footage without any additional fees. We have found that without having the benefit of being familiar with the home prior to the inspection, there is really no way to anticipate the nature of and how many issues a particular home may have, regardless of its age. For this reason, we believe this is the most straightforward and equitable method for all concerned. Please contact us for our fee structure.
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