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Home Inspections in Naperville, IL
The home inspection is one of the most important parts of any real estate transaction. Home inspectors help buyers understand their property before they purchase it. Without the inspection, the buyer’s risk is very high. Buying a property that needs a lot of repairs can cost a lot of money, not to mention the disappointment in their new home as they discover issues and problems as they become evident.
The truth about inspectors is that they are not all created equal! White Glove Building Inspections, Inc. has one of the most experienced inspection crews in the Chicago market area. Our in-house training, ongoing training, and education put our inspector team of licensed inspectors, head and shoulders above the rest!
Check out of FAQ for more information and keep reading below.
What is a Home Inspection?
In its simplest form, a home inspection is an independent evaluation of a property, the building’s major components, and the building’s structure with the inspector’s opinion about the condition of those elements. Buyers typically hire us, the home inspector to evaluate the property’s condition, report on the general condition, and any recommendations for additional specialized inspections where needed.
What is Included in a Home Inspection?
In Illinois, a inspector performs, at the minimum, a visual examination and evaluation of:
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The exterior and interior components of the residence
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Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
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Plumbing system
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Electrical system
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Structural composition
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Foundation
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Roof
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Masonry structure
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Safety Issues
and other items as established by the Illinois Standards of Practices and Rules. These standards are set as the minimum by law with the Home Inspector License Act (225 ILCS 441) Additionally, some inspectors may choose to be a member of and adhere to the ASHI and or the InterNACHI standards of practice.
White Glove Building Inspections, Inc. follows both ASHI and InterNACHI standards, whichever is greater, for our White Glove standards of practice. We go above and beyond the minimum to give you the best inspection experience. White Glove includes these additional elements in all of our residential inspections:
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125 Day Warranty with all qualifying residential inspections
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A full thermal imaging inspection
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A visual mold inspection
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Our inspectors are Licensed Drone Pilots
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Our inspectors are employees, not independent contractors
White Glove inspectors are highly trained professionals who are there to inform you about your new home so you get the information you need from an unbiased source.
Additional information to keep in mind, most inspectors in Illinois do not include:
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Cosmetic Defects.
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Are not required to walk roofs, enter attics, or enter crawl spaces.
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Outbuildings – unless specifically requested.
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Cable Systems, Antennas, & Alarm Systems.
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Home components they cannot see, reach safely, or access.
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Quotes for repairs.
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Smart Home or Green Home technology.
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Environmental inspections and testing, radon testing, mold testing, sewer scope inspections, asbestos, lead, etc. as these services require additional licensing, certification, and training.
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Invasive or technically exhaustive inspections. For example, a home inspector would not take apart an air conditioner or move personal items to reach an electrical panel.
Be sure the review the real estate contract with your real estate agent and attorney, the Illinois Contract 7.0 does have limitations to what the inspection can be used for and how.
When Should I Have a Home Inspection?
Typically, the Home Inspection is requested and completed during a real estate transaction during the attorney review period (sometimes called the inspection period). This usually happens just after the contract for purchase is signed and typically is five days in the Chicagoland area. The best practice is to get your inspection done asap, within the first day or 2 of your attorney review period. If the inspector makes additional recommendations to talk to a specialist, you still want to make sure you have enough time to have them come out to the property as well. This is the same for any additional services you might hire your inspector for such as radon testing, mold testing of samples, etc.
Sometimes a seller/homeowner may choose to hire an inspector for pre-listing inspections to help prepare to sell their home. There are benefits as to why a seller may choose to do so, such as completing repairs before a property goes on the market for prospective buyers. These are referred to as a Pre-Listing or Sellers Inspection.
A new homeowner may also choose to have an inspection at 11 months, typically called an 11 Month Warranty Inspection. This inspection can be done for new construction and previously owned homes. This is the opportunity for the new homeowner to assess if any maintenance or repairs need to be done while they still have the opportunity to use the warranty that was purchased at the same time they closed on the property. Keep in mind not every buyer chooses to purchase an additional warranty, however, having this inspection during this period is very helpful to determine the needs for repair or maintenance that may have come up during their first year in their new home.
A homeowner can also choose to have an inspection at any point in time. Having a third-party inspector, who is not a contractor or has a monetary gain from the inspection, can be a very helpful tool to assist in determining the condition of the home in preparing for and budgeting for maintenance, repairs, etc. This is especially helpful in trust situations or other situations that need a high degree of care.
How Does a Home Inspection Work?
Once White Glove is hired arrangements are usually made with the real estate agents to confirm access to the property. At the scheduled time the inspector will usually arrive 15-30 minutes early. The inspector will then start their inspection on the exterior of the home, walk roofs if safe to do so, or use a drone or other method of inspection if needed. Then the home inspector will move into the interior of the home where they start in the attic and work their way down all the way to the foundation level. White Glove inspectors will look at as many components in the home as they can to give the client the best inspection experience possible.
During the inspection, White Glove encourages you to attend, participate (keeping safety in mind), and ask questions. The inspection is one of the best opportunities that you have to learn about the condition and maintenance of your new home. On average, a home inspection can take 2-3 hours depending on the size and condition of the home, after which, the home inspector shares their findings with the homebuyer.
The home inspector then produces a report for the home buyer, this is the product that the buyer walks away with from the inspection. The inspection report is going to be your most powerful tool as a new homeowner; to prepare the property for move-in, long-term maintenance of the home, and as a tool to determine budget considerations, the purchase decision, what they might choose to negotiate on as they finalize the terms of the purchase, etc. Home inspection reports are typically delivered the same day or the next business day. White Glove promises our report within 24 hours with a goal of the same day.
Finally, the home buyer, buyer’s agent, and your attorney may be able to make requests for repairs or open negotiations based on home inspection findings that were not previously disclosed in the contract, such as a leaking roof. In some cases, a reinspection or closing walk-through inspection (sometimes also called a final walk-through inspection) may be needed to ensure repairs were completed properly.
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?
White Glove Inspections take into consideration several factors in the cost of the inspection such as size, age, foundation types, unique property features, and more. The fee will also increase for any additional services that the buyer might choose to add, such as radon testing, mold testing, sewer scope inspections, and more. It is very common that the cost of the inspection is reflective of the service you receive such as how customer service-oriented, experienced, and highly trained the inspectors are that you are hiring.
Our average inspection fee in 2022 was a little over $625.00 and that included all inspection types and service types. Condo Inspections start for as little as $325.00, Townhome Inspections for as little as $360.00, and Single-Family Home Inspections for as little as $395.00. Taking advantage of the White Glove Building Inspections inspection packages has the best savings for inspections and additional services.
Who Should and Should Not Attend the Inspections?
The client (buyer) is encouraged to attend the inspection if possible, as this is one of the best opportunities to learn about their new home. The people who should be invited to the inspection by the buyer should be limited to the buyers as named on the purchase contract, one close trusted family member, the agent representing the buyer, and no one else.
Having too many people at an inspection can distract both the home inspector and the buyer as well as pose a safety concern for the property and everyone there.
Home Inspection Vs an Appraisal Vs a Code Inspection
A home inspection, an appraisal, and a code inspection are all very different things.
A home inspection and appraisal are both ordered during the inspection period. However, an appraisal is when a licensed appraiser gives an unbiased opinion of a home’s value. At the end of the appraisal process, an appraisal report is shared with the buyer, the mortgage company, and other necessary parties. The appraisal is for the benefit of the mortgage company and assures the bank that the loan matches the value of the home. An inspection of a home does not report on the property’s value, only on deficiencies, safety issues, and life expectancies of major components. The home inspection is for the benefit of the home buyer.
A code inspection is for the local government to enforce the local building code. This is usually performed while the home is under construction, has a remodel done, or repairs and major maintenance. This is to make sure that the contractor is compliant in following the local building code for the safety of the inhabitants. If there are any concerns raised or for the sake of peace of mind, in most cities and towns, you can go to the local government and request to view any history of permits for repair work. In contrast, the home inspector performs a visual inspection to inform the client of the general condition, safety, operation, and deficiencies of the property. An experienced inspector will know the code and may refer to it. A home inspector is not the responsible party in the enforcement of the building code.
The information shared here is relevant to White Glove Building Inspections, Inc., the real estate, and home inspection market in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area. Be sure to consult with your real estate agent and attorney for additional information and what will work best for your upcoming real estate purchase.
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The scope of commercial inspections is different from residential inspections. For more details on commercial scope reach out directly. We will be happy to provide you with a no obligation proposal for your unique commercial inspection needs.