What is covered under A Pre Purchase Inspection?

Under the Pre-Purchase Inspection, we’ll inspect the following in your new home:

• Roof - if accessible
• Walls
• Floors
• Heating System
• Attic - Including Visible Insulation
• Central Air Conditioning System (Temperature Permitting)
• Basement
• Interior Plumbing and Electrical Systems
• Structural Components
• Foundation
• Ceilings
• Doors and Windows

How long will the Inspection take?

Inspections on average take 2 hours, but that estimate can vastly range. The time we invest in a house dependent on its size; the bigger the home, the longer it will take! Sometimes home inspections can take a relatively long time. Remember your inspector is being diligent and as thorough as possible to discover any defects and safety issues.

Who or what is InterNACHI?

InterNACHI is the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, an association accredited by over 100 State, Non State and Government agencies. This includes the Maine Department of Agriculture - Food & Rural Resources, the Maine Division of Environmental Health Radon Section, the Maine Real Estate Commission and the U.S. Department of Education. If you are interested in seeing more accreditations please click here. At Elevated Home Inspections we are proud to be a member of InterNACHI and this elite group of Home Inspectors. If you are curious and want to find out more about InterNACHI, you are welcome to visit their About Us page.

Is anyone allowed or required to attend the Inspection?

You are more than welcome to be there as either the seller or buyer. While you most likely will be attending with your realtor, we want you to know we work for you and no one else. Feel free to ask any questions you have. There is no one required to be present. We also want to state that Elevated Home Inspections does not care who is invited to the location of the inspection, but it’s important to make sure the seller and realtor consent. Also, we want to advise that the more people present during inspection, the slower the process can go.

Is it possible for a home to fail an Inspection?

The closest example is if you go to your doctor and get your yearly exam, you won't fail the exam. The doctor will inform you of things you need to work on and how to make yourself healthier over time. That’s what Home Inspectors will do for your home; we will audit your home and make sure to look for as many defects as we can find. Once we finish, we will curate a report for you. With that report, we will not "fail" your home, no matter how many defects we find. We will not even make a recommendation if you should buy it or not. Our only job is to find and report to you what is in good health and what is a defect.

Do you check for mold during an inspection?

When we inspect your home we may find signs of mold or water damage in the house. Just note that it is not the inspector’s job to test for mold. Elevated Home Inspections will always mention signs of mold or water damage when it’s seen.

Should I be present for the home inspection?

We highly recommend that you are present for your home inspection just in case that we find something of significance we can bring it to your attention immediately. As much as we recommend being at the home, you do not have to be there. No matter the situation you will see all the results we find via the home inspection report.

Can the seller attend the home inspection?

Yes, after all, it is the seller’s home. The seller has all rights to attend the home inspection. Most of the time the seller is not there but maintains the right to be there.

What should I ask for after a home inspection, as far as repairs?

Elevated Home Inspections will not tell you what we think you should have repaired; our report will tell you our findings and you can discuss that with someone you find reliable enough to help you make that decision.

Can you get out of a contract based on home inspection?

If you have a Home Inspection contingency written into your contract then there is a possibility you can retract your agreement with the seller. We highly recommend that you ask your realtor or contact a lawyer to understand what your contract states you can or can't do.

Can I ask the Inspector questions?

YES! We are working for you, not anyone else. Even if your realtor refers us to you, you need to know that we are there for YOU. We want you to feel free to ask us any questions and we would love to answer them for you!

Does a basic home inspection include the pool?

Elevated Home Inspections does not inspect pools and their condition. We can definitely help you find a pool inspector that can help you.

Why should I choose Elevated Home Inspections?

Elevated Home Inspections is dedicated to supplying you with the most rigorous and detailed inspections in your Maine home. We’re on the side of our customers and devote our careers to making sure you, not the realtors, receive everything necessary to make informed decisions.

Can I see a Sample Home Inspection Report

What are your Service Areas?

Elevated Home Inspections services all of Southern and Central Maine! We are Inspecting homes in York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, Lincoln, Somerset, and all surrounding areas. Town/Areas:

• Portland

Can Elevated Home Inspections refer me to specialists or repair companies?

Yes we most definitely can, but we do not hold any warranty to people we refer.

Will you fix items found on the inspection - during or after the inspection?

We will not fix anything on your house or future home. As an inspection company, we only will report what we find. We will try to help you find all the defects and safety issues within the inspection.

When will I receive my home inspection report?

Once home inspection is complete, it will take 1-3 days to have the report sent to you. We will send you an email with the report attached to it.

Is Elevated Home Inspections Certified?

The State of Maine does not require a state license to perform Home Inspections, but you always want to find a Home Inspector that is certified by InterNACHI, Luckily, InterNACHI certifies Elevated Home Inspections. To learn more about InterNACHI, click here.

Do you guys test for Radon?

Yes, Elevated Home Inspections will always test for Radon with every home inspection. To learn more about Radon and what it is, click the link below.

What is Radon?

Are Home Inspectors also Code Inspectors?

Home Inspectors are Not Code Inspectors.

Electrical inspections can be fairly complicated, especially in the case of older properties where there may be a variety of systems and wiring types, some of which would not meet current codes. However, home inspectors do not perform code inspections. They are only required to evaluate the condition of the systems and report observed deficiencies that pose a danger to the property or its occupants. Home inspectors should inspect the house without direct reference to the age of the house. For example, GFCIs and AFCIs were required by construction standards and residential code in various times in the past. Because a home inspector is not a code enforcement officer or code inspector, the home inspector need not concern himself or herself with when the GFCI should have been installed or not in the house. If a home inspector observes a lack of GFCIs in the house, this is a defect that should be reported by the home inspector. Another example would be smoke detectors. Code requirements for smoke detectors have changed over the years. Only a few detectors were required in a house years ago. Presently, there are many areas in a house that smoke detectors should exist, regardless of whether the home is newly built or 50 years old. Smoke detectors, just like GFCIs, save lives. Pay no attention to "grandfathering" excuses provided by homeowners, contractors, or real estate agents.