FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
(Q) Why Should I Choose InsideOut Home Inspections?
(A) The purchase of a new home is one of the largest investments a family can make. Getting a new home inspection allows the buyer to receive an unbiased, professional opinion to help determine the current condition of the house. An inspection will help foresee any immediate conditions that need to be addressed and touch on areas that could become a problem in the future. This helps save money both immediately and in the future while also helping greatly with any settlement negotiations. Having a qualified and experienced home inspector can find defects others may miss.
(Q) How Long Will The Inspection Take?
(A) Most inspections take an average of 2-4 hours depending on the home size or things being inspected, not including the time needed to prepare a report. The time can vary based on the size and condition of the property. Attics and crawl spaces must be accessible or we won’t be able to access these areas.
(Q) When My Bank Is Having The House Appraised, Should I Still Have The Home Inspected?
(A) Absolutely! The bank’s appraisal is an independent evaluation of the current market value of the property. The appraiser works for the bank while we work for you, helping you save time and money with a realistic unbiased inspection of your property’s current condition.
(Q) Does A Brand New House Need An Inspection?
(A) Absolutely! Most builders try to provide a high quality house, but they have to balance that with staying competitive. For builders, it often comes down to ‘survival of the cheapest’. Much work is done by sub-contractors. A construction boom in recent years has caused a shortage of skilled labor. Coordinating schedules between different trades is a juggling act. New products are constantly being introduced into the market adding even more confusion.
Municipal inspectors try to do a good job but they’re vastly overworked, often looking at dozens of houses each day. A thorough home inspection takes hours, not minutes. Municipal inspectors simply don’t have the manpower to find all the construction defects.
(Q) I just purchased a brand new construction home. Will the builder fix everything you find?
(A) Each builder will have their own guidelines on what they will fix. If we find damaged items or health and safety hazards, the builder will most likely fix them. Cosmetic defects, the builder may choose to not fix or possibly wait for your 11 month walk through and take care of them along with cracks that may have developed. It seems over the past couple years builders want to provide a good product and are fixing the items asked for.
(Q) How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost?
(A) The price of the inspection is determined by the size and foundation type of the house and any other buildings. The price of any other additional testing that you want to be performed at the time of the inspection will be added to the price of the inspection. Our pricing starts at $420. Call us for a quote. (If you’re a home buyer, it will be helpful to have a copy of the listings available when you call.)
(Q) Do you Inspect Mobile Homes or Manufactured Homes?
(A) Yes, Inspecting mobile homes is a bit different than typical construction. We have inspected 100’s of mobile homes over the years.
(Q) Why Do Some Of Your Competitors Cost Less?
(A) All home inspectors are not equal. You want an experienced certified inspector.You only have one chance to get a good home inspection. InsideOut Home Inspection has been inspecting homes since 2014 and is a Certified Master Inspector through InterNACHI. You don’t want cheap — you want the best home inspection possible! Saving a few bucks by using a bargain-priced home inspector could cost you thousands of dollars in repair costs in the long run.
(Q) What’s Included In The Inspection?
(A) The home inspection is, by definition, a visual overview of the entire home and all of its integral systems. This includes all of the following:
• Exterior
• Roof
• Structure
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Ventilation
• Insulation
• Heating and Cooling
• Interior
• Fixed Appliances
• Attic
• Crawl Space (if present)
• Fireplace
(Q) Do you inspect the main sewer line or sewer lateral?
(A) InsideOut Home Inspection does inspect the visible plumbing system however, we do not conduct sewer scopes or sewer lateral inspections. Our belief is that a licensed plumber is better equipped to provide this service as they are able to provide estimates. If a home inspector were to find any defects, it is plausible the plumber would have to come an re-inspect. InsideOut Home Inspection has partnered with licensed plumbers that can conduct the sewer later inspection, provide feedback and estimates oftentimes at the same time as your home inspection.
(Q) Do you inspect for termites or wood destroying organisms?
(A)
At InsideOut Home Inspection, we are committed to providing the most thorough inspection possible. While our inspectors do report on visible signs of wood-destroying organisms (WDO), we are not licensed by the state to formally identify or classify these findings. For that reason, any potential WDO concerns are referred to a state-licensed pest control professional for confirmation.
To make the process easier for our clients, we’ve partnered with several trusted pest and termite companies. In many cases, we can coordinate to have both the home inspection and the pest inspection completed at the same time, saving you time and ensuring a more seamless experience.
(Q) May I Attend The Inspection?
(A) We invite you to be present during the inspection, though it’s not necessary. Your presence gives you the opportunity to see what our inspector is noting and the chance to ask any questions you may have. We know this is not possible for many people due to time constraints, so rest assured that we will provide you with a very detailed report whether you’re present or not.
(Q) When Should I Call To Schedule The Inspection?
(A) As soon as possible after you have a signed purchase contract. We’re often scheduled a week or more in advance, so make sure that your purchase contract has plenty of time for you to get repair estimates for major problems that may show up during the inspection.
For newly constructed homes, you should contact the builder and let them know that you want to have a third party inspection. Oftentimes the builder will dictate the date of the inspection. They also may have some requirements for the inspector to meet prior to the inspection. 11 month warranty inspections. You should schedule warranty inspections at least a month before your warranty expires.
(Q) How Do I Prepare For The Inspection?
(A) Preparing for the inspection is easy. Be ready to follow us around the home. You may want to bring a notepad and pen to take notes. All deficiencies are listed on our reports but there are some maintenance items (i.e. like when to change a furnace filter) that will not be on the inspection report.
(Q) When Will The Report Be Ready?
(A) All inspection reports are sent by email the same day as the inspection. All of our inspection reports are computerized with digital photos. All inspection reports will be e-mailed. We want you to have a full understanding of the home when you review the inspection report.
(Q) What If The Inspection Reveals Problems?
(A) We may find things that weren’t expected. That’s what you want, right? No house is perfect, not even new construction. The report is not a seller’s “Must-Fix” list; it’s just an impartial reporting of the condition. Every situation is different — it’s up to you and your real estate agent to decide how to proceed after the inspection.
(Q) Are There Limitations To The Inspection?
(A) Yes, we can’t see through walls or predict the future! If we could do either of those, we’d be in another line of work earning a lot more money. Keep in mind that a home inspection lasts only a few hours, and it’s not technically exhaustive. A home inspection is not an appraisal or a check for compliance with building codes and it’s not an evaluation for any biological or environmental hazards.
(Q) Do You Offer A Guarantee?
(A) Yes, we offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. But please know, some things can look and operate just fine today and break tomorrow. We do our best to give you the most thorough inspection possible. If you want a home warranty, they are available through other sources. Review the warranty carefully to determine what the warranty covers.
(Q) What If I Have Questions Later?
(A) Your understanding of the home is my highest priority. You can ask questions for as long as you own your home.
(Q) What types of payment do you take?
(A) Forms of payment we accept include Cash, Check, Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, Credit Card
(Q) What can you expect from a home inspection?
(A) A home inspection is a thorough, visual evaluation of a property’s major systems and components. During the inspection, the inspector will examine the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, attic, and overall structure to identify any defects, safety issues, or needed repairs.
You can expect the inspection to take a few hours, depending on the size and condition of the home. Afterward, you’ll receive a detailed report with photos and clear explanations of the findings, helping you understand the home’s condition and make informed decisions.
(Q) What if my house “fails” an inspection?
(A) A home inspection isn’t a pass-or-fail test. Instead, it’s a detailed report of the home’s current condition. If issues are found, you’ll receive a list of defects, safety concerns, and recommended repairs.
From there, you can decide how to move forward—whether that’s negotiating repairs, adjusting the price, or simply planning future maintenance. The goal of a home inspection is to give you the information you need to make a confident, informed decision.
(Q) Will the inspection report include photos?
(A) Yes—reports include detailed descriptions and photos so you can clearly see any issues.
(Q) What should I look for in a Sacramento home inspector?
(A) Look for experience, detailed reports, strong reviews, and knowledge of local construction and climate issues.
(Q) What are common issues in Sacramento homes?
(A) Older homes may have outdated electrical or plumbing, while newer homes can still have construction defects
(Q) Is a Sacramento home inspection worth it?
(A) Yes, an inspection can save thousands by uncovering hidden issues before you buy.
(Q) Can I use the inspection to negotiate the price?
(A) Yes, inspection findings are often used to request repairs or price reductions.
(Q) Do I need a home inspection for a condo?
(A) Yes, though the scope may be limited to interior systems and components. At InsideOut we treat it the same, even though the exterior and roof may be covered by the HOA, we still inspect them and recommend bringing defects to the attention of the HOA.