Frequently Asked Questions

For many people, the purchase of a home is the largest investment they will ever make. Therefore, it is important to have the home visually inspected inside and outside for potentially costly defects. The inspection is thorough, but is not technically exhaustive as it is only visual. See What we Do and Don’t Do.

According to a poll by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), nearly three in four U.S. homeowners agreed that the home inspection they had when they purchased their home helped them avoid potential problems, and nearly 90% believe that home inspections are a necessity, not a luxury.

Read Top 10 Reasons to Get a Home Inspection.

Our complete visual home inspection conforms to Accepted Industry Standards of Practice and includes the following:

Structural

• Foundation
• Roof Structure
• Interior Structural Conditions
• Exterior Structural Conditions
• Water Damage
• Roofing
• Attic Area
• Exterior & Interior Doors
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Fireplace
• Windows

Mechanical

• AC & Heating Systems
• Ducts
• Kitchen Equipment
• Plumbing Fixtures
• Bathrooms
• Utility Room
• Electrical Service Box
• Receptacles
• Water Heating Equipment

Additional Services

• Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs
• Specialty Inspection Services

The home buyer selects the inspector. Choosing the time and date of the inspection may be done by you or by an authorized agent. You may also visit our scheduling page to schedule a home inspection online.

The buyer is responsible for the fee and it is due ahead of the inspection appointment.

There is no set cost for a home inspection. The price will vary based on the inspection firm, the local market, the geographic region, the scope of the inspection, and more. With this in mind, our Inspections start at $550.00; the actual cost may vary. We encourage you to contact us at (929) 257-1563, and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be glad to provide a firm quote for our services. When comparing pricing, you should find out what will be included in the inspection and what won’t. These details should also be outlined in the inspection agreement that you will need to sign before the inspection. Remember, our Quoted cost always includes your required Termite Inspection.

You should attend the inspection, and you should reconsider hiring an inspector who doesn’t allow this. You can learn a lot by following an inspector through the home. You will certainly gain a better understanding of the home’s condition, which will give you insight into its potential sale points and defects. Additionally, you will likely learn information about the home’s maintenance, systems and components that may provide useful

Depending on the home’s age, size, and location, as well as the home inspector’s own work protocols and ethic, your home inspection may take up to three hours. Adding square footage, outbuildings, and/or ancillary services will increase that time. It may be necessary for your inspector to bring in a helper for a very large property.

Yes! In most cases, you will typically receive the report within 24 hours of the date of inspection.

No. Your Home Sentry home inspection report is an easy to read narrative report complete with full color photos.

Click here to view a sample home inspection report.

No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need repair or replacement.

No house is perfect. The inspection report is first and foremost, an information tool. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. Items in need of repair may either be accepted “as-is” or negotiated between the buyer and seller, depending on the terms set out in the sales contract.

Yes! All utilities must be turned on prior to the inspector’s arrival, as the inspection cannot be thoroughly completed if they are not. This will also result in an additional return visit fee. Your agent can arrange for the utilities to be turned on if they are not already.

Yes! Many lessees in Long Island are required to sign triple net leases which transfers responsibility of paying for all maintenance, upkeep, damage, and repairs to the lessee. It’s incredibly important to find out the building’s condition by scheduling a commercial property inspection BEFORE signing the lease.