How long does the inspection take?

A typical inspection takes about 2-3 hours on average.  Please note, this is only an average and some homes may take less time, or more time depending on the condition of the home, the size of the home, and how many questions the client or agent has for the inspector.

What credentials do NPI inspectors carry and why are they important to me?

NPI inspectors are Illinois Licensed and use the Standards of Practice adopted by the OBRE (Office of Banks and Real Estate).  Our inspectors are certified through the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) which is the oldest, most well-known organization of home inspectors today.

What insurance does NPI carry and why is it important to me?

Is it necessary to have a new home inspected?

YES!  Many people feel that the city inspection and/or the walk-through with the builder is an adequate way to inspect a new home. City inspectors spend about 15 minutes in a home (while a certified home inspector will spend 2-3 hours), and builders are very unlikely to find problems with the homes that they have built because of the costs associated with making repairs. We usually find more problems with newer houses than with older ones. Catching problems early on, while the home is new, can save thousands of dollars in repairs later on. Homeowners will have to correct building code violations missed by city inspectors when they go to sell the house in the future. 

If you need to cancel your inspection, please call our office at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a $150.00 charge. If you are purchasing a new construction home, you or your agent should make sure the utilities are on at least 24 hours before your inspection is scheduled. On-site agents and builders have many homes to keep track of and do not check to make sure everything is complete for the inspection.
 

What is the Inspection Agreement and do I have to sign it?

What does the inspection include?

During the inspection, our inspector will look at all aspects of the house, including the exterior, interior, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. The average inspection takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. For a construction phase inspection, the inspector will look at the structural components, as well as the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC rough-ins. This inspection will take approximately an hour and a half. When scheduling your final inspection, be sure all of the utilities are turned on. Cosmetic items and inaccessible areas are not part of the inspection process.  See Inspection Services for a more detailed list of what each inspection includes.

Do I have to attend the entire inspection?

What does my report include?

At the end of the inspection, the inspector will produce an on-site, 20-25 page computer generated report. For construction-phase inspections, the report is 8-12 pages. Our report includes a mechanical and structural analysis of the exterior and the interior of the home. We provide a hardcopy of the report to you at the time of the inspection, and we can also fax or email it. Your report is confidential and cannot be given it to anyone without both party's permission. You are not required to give the report to the homeowner or the listing agent. If you need additional copies of the report, we can fax or email them from our office.  NPI has copyrights to all inspection reports.
 

You can pay by cash or check.  Call us to make payment arrangements prior to the inspection.

Click here for Homebuyer Issues to find information on Louisiana Pacific Siding, Synthetic Stucco, Radon gas, Asbestos, Masonite Siding, Mold growth, Lead Based Paint.

Click here to review our list of Home Maintenance topics.  You can also be added to our e-mailing list to receive important information each month about maintaining your home.   Just provide us with your e-mail address and we'll add you to the list.  We do not give your e-mail address out to any third party.
 

Studies by the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety (IDNS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and others show that radon levels occur in every county in Illinois.  IDNS found in its study that 17% of the homes tested in Cook County had indoor radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter of air (piC/L) or greater.  The EPA recommends radon testing on the sale of all new or older homes.  NPI can arrange to conduct a 48 hour radon test where a continuous monitor is placed in the home and picked up two days later.  Results on the radon test are ready shortly thereafter.  For more information on radon gas, please see Homebuyer/Seller Issues.