Q. Does the buyer need to be present at the time of the inspection?

A. Yes, if possible, it is to the buyers benefit to be present at the time of the inspection. It is JRW Property Inspection's intent to not only inspect the property, but also to educate and inform our clients. It is beneficial for you to see any and all issues that may arise during an inspection and to be able to observe and ask questions concerning them. You will also find the written report easier to understand if you've seen the property first-hand through the eyes of the inspector.

Q. How long does an inspection take?

A. Since a home inspection is a thorough visual inspection of the property's interior, exterior, roofing, systems, and components a typical inspection of a property less than 2,000 square feet normally lasts approximately three hours. Homes larger than 2,000 square feet and older homes will typically last a little longer. After the conclusion of the inspection our inspector will provide you with a checklist of the findings, a detailed home manual and a verbal summarization of the inspection.

Q. Why should I not Have Someone In My Family Who Is Very Handy Or a Contractor, Inspect My New Home?   

A.  This is what we at JRW Property Inspection call “My Uncle Joe” inspection.  Uncle Joe usually has knowledge of one specific area of the home, such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, heating/AC, perhaps exterior siding or roofing, etc and has very limited or no knowledge of everything else.  Whereas our home inspectors have extensive knowledge in structural components, foundations, roof coverings, electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling systems, interior, kitchen and baths and other aspects that affect the property,    

Q.  What are the Differences Between a Home Inspection and an Appraisal?

A.  An Appraiser’s job is to find the value of the home/building and the land.  They accomplish this is a few ways by determining the square footage and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and look for any upgrades to the home and also check the lot size, and once back at their office they run comps /comparisons to other homes and lots of the same size, which have recently sold within the same general area.  With this knowledge, they determine the value of the home/building.  This is the amount, which a financial institution will lend you.  A Home Inspector’s job is to determine the condition of the property.  For instance, an inspector could say that a roof needs to be replaced, that the furnace is inoperable or unsafe, that there is structural damage, major electrical or plumbing problems; hypothetically, the inspector could place the cost of repairs at $50,000.  The appraiser has set the value of the property at $300,000.  The question then arises, if you need to put $50,000 into the property is it truly worth $300,000.  The answer is clearly NO.    

Q. Do I Need My Brand New Home Inspected by an independent Home Inspection Company?

A.  Definitely Yes! – City and Suburban inspectors typically spend far less time conducting an inspection than an independent home inspector will.  Also they normally look only at one specific component of the house.  Please refer to the Advice Section. 

Q.  Why choose JRW Property Inspection, Inc?

A.   Because JRW Property Inspection is independently owned and operated and will provide you with a thorough comprehensive, objective, and independent inspection.  Our inspectors are Full-time inspectors not part-time, we are licensed by the State of Illinois, and are certified members of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and are required to have continuing education that exceeds both the State of Illinois License and ASHI requirements.  Our pledge to you, our client is that we constantly strive to improve at what we do best – inspect, inform, educate and report with a Total Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee.    

Q.  How many items are inspected?

A.  Over 500 items are inspected throughout the home.  We inspect the foundation, exterior, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, interior, kitchen & baths.    Please refer to our Services section for additional details.