April 2014 | NewsNews

Four Signs of a Good Home Inspector

April 28th, 2014 | Posted by admin in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

All home inspection companies are not created equal. Here are four things to look for when choosing a home inspector:

1. They answer the phone

This basic test is a telling barometer of how easy (or difficult) it will be for you to communicate with your home inspection company. A sign of a poor home inspection company is one that doesn’t answer the phone and doesn’t return calls in a timely manner.

Here at Absolute Home Inspection, we pride ourselves in being available to our current and future clients. We answer the phone and return calls promptly. Try us! 859-230-1450.

2. No hidden fees

A reputable home inspector will be upfront about how much it will cost to do a home inspection on a particular home.

Absolute Home Inspection provides free quotes online and over the phone. All possible costs will be thoroughly explained beforehand – with no surprises after the fact.

3. Thorough inspection of the home

A sign of a good home inspector is that they do the job they were hired to do. They show up on time and do a thorough inspection of the home.

At Absolute, we adhere to the National Association of Home Inspectors guidelines when performing each inspection. We place so much emphasis on building good client relations that our tagline is Prompt, Professional, Courteous … Absolute.

4. Timely report

Great home inspection companies don’t make you wait for the information.

At Absolute Home Inspection we quickly provide a report that details any issues including a summary and photos- typically within 24 hours. And for even greater efficiency, we email it to you in digital format. This makes communicating with your realtor about any issues a snap as you can easily pull photos and descriptions from the report into an email.

Absolute Home Inspection performs residential and commercial inspections including air quality, termite, and radon inspections in the Lexington and Central Kentucky area. Our professional home inspections enable you to make an informed decision when buying a home in Lexington, Winchester, Paris, Georgetown, Versailles, Midway, Frankfort, Nicholasville, Berea and Richmond, Kentucky. Contact us for your free quote.

Home Inspection: Inspecting the Bathroom

April 21st, 2014 | Posted by admin in buying a home | inspecting the home - (0 Comments)

As anyone who has done any home remodeling knows, bathrooms are one of the most expensive areas of the home when it comes to replacements, upgrades, or repairs. This is why we are very conscientious when inspecting the bathrooms. When planning to buy a home, you want to know what to expect regarding future plumbing problems.

Here are just some of the components of the bathroom section of an Absolute Home Inspection:

Stall shower

If the shower pan is metal it has a probable life of 10-20 years, depending on the pan quality and the quality of installation. A common mistake with acrylic or fiberglass pans is neglecting to put down a mortar base underneath the pan to provide support. Unsupported pans that are not metal will crack over time. We will perform a visual examination to determine if the shower pan is leaking or has leaked in the past.

Safety Hazards

We will note any safety hazards and if there is a lack of GFCI safety outlets.

Ceramic tile

Traditional bathroom tile installed using mortar is an excellent long-lasting material. However, regular maintenance of the caulk where it joins the tub and around faucets is required to prevent leaks. Water seepage can cause damage to the underlying wallboard. We will pay close attention to these areas and note any signs of leakage or any maintenance needed.

We also inspect the drains, exhaust fans, and whirlpool tubs.

Feel good knowing that inspecting the bathrooms and all the home’s systems will be done thoroughly, when you choose Absolute Home Inspection.

bathroom inspection, home inspection, home inspector

Home Inspection: Inspecting the Roof

April 14th, 2014 | Posted by admin in buying a home | When do you need a home inspection - (0 Comments)

Have you ever wondered how we go about inspecting the roof? While some home inspectors do a visual inspection of the roof from the ground using binoculars, we believe a more thorough inspection is in order. At Absolute Home Inspection, we will walk the entire roof whenever possible.

We place a high importance on the condition of your roof and the related components because we know that the roof is one area that you most likely have not seen – and may never see. Since you are hoping to buy this home, we want to give you a full report on what may be the most expensive home repair you’ll ever make should the roof need a full replacement.

Here are some of the components of an Absolute roof inspection. Our report will note the:

style of the roof and its condition
number and age of the asphalt layers
average life expectancy for that roof category
type of ventilation system
materials used for the chimney flashing, if flashing is missing or if sealing is recommended
condition of any valleys in the roof
status of any skylights and their seals
condition of the plumbing vents

Inspecting the roof does not involve just the exterior of the rooftop. In addition to walking the complete roof whenever possible, we also inspect the attic. We check for any signs of leaks and other problems with the roof framework.

At Absolute Home Inspection, we are proud of the work we do. Give us a call at 859.230.1450.

chimney flashing, home inspection, plumbing vents, roof inspection, skylights

Do You Need a Home Inspection when Buying a New Home?

April 7th, 2014 | Posted by admin in buying a home | new construction | When do you need a home inspection - (0 Comments)

You may assume that you don’t need a home inspection when buying a newly constructed home. After all, everything is brand new. At Absolute Home Inspection, we often find more potential problems when inspecting new construction than with existing homes. Here’s why:

The home has never been lived in so no one has put the plumbing or air system through its paces. When people live in a home, chances are they have found and fixed any major problems.

Our Absolute home inspectors test every outlet for grounding and possible reverse polarity. We perform fire safety checks to ensure there is correct ventilation and we also test for carbon monoxide leaks. A slow leak can be more toxic than a major one as it may not be noticed but could be life threatening.

We test the heating and air conditioning, plumbing and every appliance. Every drain and faucet is checked for leaks. Our home inspectors also climb onto the roof to inspect the flashing, gutters, shingles, and ventilation pipes. We also inspect the attic to check for signs of leaks, proper ventilation, and to ensure the lumber used for the trusses and rafters are up to code.

A home inspection on a new home will provide peace of mind that the home is safe for you and your family.

Yes, you do need a home inspection when buying a new home – and when buying an existing home. Contact us for a free quote.

home inspection, new construction