Residential Inspections
You will get a high-quality home inspection backed by experience and care.
The purpose of an inspection isn’t just to find problems with the house; It’s also about making sure that you don’t buy something that will cost more than you think, or cause other headaches down the road.
What Does a Home Inspection Include?
The structure and foundation of your home is the most important part of the home. There are 4 basic types of foundations: slab, crawl space, basement, and pier foundations; each having its own unique pro’s and con’s.
- Slab foundations – Slab foundations are the most common in Oklahoma; they are great because they aren’t as susceptible to mold & termites and work well in Oklahoma.
- Crawl Space foundations – crawl space foundations provide great protection against water and are easier to work on. They are typically found in older homes.
- Basement foundations – basement foundations are less common in Oklahoma but great to have during tornado season. They can provide extra space and increase the square footage of your home, although they are more expensive than other foundation types.
- Pier foundations – pier foundations are used to keep home up off the ground when there is uneven ground or in areas prone to flooding. They are not typically found in Oklahoma, but we still know how to handle them.
Regardless of what type of foundation you have, we have the inhouse expertise to properly evaluate it to make sure it’s safe for you and your family. We also provide suggestions on how to keep you home in great shape for years to come.
In the off chance there are issues, we work closely with high quality structural engineers and trusted foundation repair companies to make sure you’re taken care of every step of the way.
The exterior is one of the most overlooked parts of the home. The exterior of your home protects you and your family from the wind, rain, sleet, snow, and other elements. If the exterior isn’t in top shape, water can get in between the walls and cause water damage, mold, and other issues where you can’t see them. There are 4 basic types of siding, each with its own advantages.
- Brick – Brick is one of the most common types of siding in Oklahoma, it’s durable & has a long life, but let’s you know if there are issues with the foundation. Stone is similar to brick, but typically more expensive and more prone to cracking. We’ll let you know what cracks to worry about and which ones are normal.
- Siding – Siding comes in many different types ranging from vinyl which is inexpensive & easy to install to aluminum & steel siding which is expensive but extremely durable. Siding is typically easier to install/replace than brick, although some of the cheaper materials don’t have a long life and prone to damage by hail & other impacts.
- Cement/Stucco – Cement/Stucco is a durable material with a long life and unique look. It generally doesn’t require much maintenance, but can be difficult to repair.
No matter what kind of siding is on the home of your dreams, we’ve got the in house expertise to properly evaluate the exterior of your home and let you know how to properly care for your home.
The roof of your new home is one of the highest profile items on your home. While the typical shingle roof can last up to 25 years in many parts of the country, unfortunately, in Oklahoma we get a significant amount of hail which can bring the lifespan of the typical roof to 10 years or less.
There are 4 basic types of residential roofs, each with its own unique properties; knowing what type of roof you have is important, but knowing who to trust is even more important.
- Shingle – Shingle roofs are by far the most common in Oklahoma; they are the cheapest & easiest to install, although they are prone to hail damage.
- Metal – metal roofs are expensive, but gaining popularity; with a lifespan of 50 years or more, they don’t need to be replaced every time there is a hail storm and are starting to come in a variety of styles. Unfortunately, their cost does make them less popular.
- Tile/Slate roofs – there aren’t many tile or slate roofs in Oklahoma, but it’s important to choose an expert who knows how to inspect these roofs. There are many advantages, but the tiles are brittle and easy to break if you don’t know how to walk on them.
- Wood Shakes – wood shakes are beautiful, but are rare and can be delicate to inspect. There are only a few roofers qualified to inspect both tile/slate & wood shake roofs in the metro area, knowing who to trust makes all the difference.
Regardless of what type of roof your next home has, we can get it inspected and make sure the roof over your head keeps you protected.
The plumbing is an area of the home that most people don’t think about until there is a problem. When installed correctly, pipes & water fixtures can last up to 40 years. Unfortunately, many times these items are not installed correctly or issues arise that aren’t immediately noticed. A home inspection looks for:
- Leaks – It is common for leaks to occur at sinks, tubs, & showers. This is why we run the water and constantly
- Water Heater – Unfortunately, it is very common for water heaters to be installed incorrectly; while it is common, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. We check the water heat to make sure everything is safe and in good working condition.
- Sewer Line – Sewer lines are fairly straightforward, unfortunately, when they go, they’re expensive. It is important to have them scoped to determine if there are any issues or problems that need to be addressed.
Regardless of what the plumbing looks like, we’ll let you know what condition the plumbing system is in so you can make the best decision possible about your new home.
The electric system is one of the most high profile systems in the home. Everyone has heard stories of something happening to someone. There are three key areas of the home we inspect.
- Electric Panel – The electric panel is the nerve center of your home and keeps your home going. Most electric panels are perfectly safe and installed properly; however, there are a few that aren’t and we make sure you know everything you need to know ahead of time.
- Electric Meter & Electric Lines – Most people don’t realize that while the electric meter is owned by the electric company, it is their financial responsibility if something happens. While Oklahoma doesn’t get many ice storms, when they do happen, it can cause significant damage.
- Plugs – Electric plugs are something we deal with daily, but almost never think about. However, it’s important, especially in older homes, that they are wired properly and have a ground wire.
Regardless of whether you’re looking at a historic home or a new build, we’ll check out your system to make sure everything is in great shape and you have all the information you need.
The only thing the average person knows about their HVAC system is that it either works or it doesn’t. There are 4 major components of an HVAC system that we inspect:
- Condenser – The condenser is responsible for cooling the home and they last 10-15 years on average.
- Furnace – The furnace is responsible for heating the home and they last 15-20 years on average.
- Ductwork – The ductwork is responsible for getting the hot or cold air to the home from the units; even though the condenser & furnace may be in great shape, if the ductwork isn’t functioning correctly, it won’t matter.
- Installed correctly – The last piece of the HAVC system we check is to make sure it is installed correctly; HVAC units have many safety features to protect both you and your home.
Regardless of what type of units you have, we can inspect it and make sure see what shape it’s in.
It’s important to know if the appliances in your home are in great shape, or if it’s time to go shopping for new ones. We let you know about the:
- Stove & Oven
- Vent hood
- Dishwasher
- Garbage Disposal
- Bathroom Vents
- Washer Hook-Ups
- Garage Door Opener
The interior of the home is where you live and spend your time. Unfortunately, most people are only given a few minutes to view the inside of the home before they make a decision on whether or not to buy it. This is why we go over the entire interior of your home and let you know what condition it’s in before you move in.
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