What to Expect From Your Home Inspection

If you’re buying or selling a home in Michigan City, South Bend, Elkhart, St Joseph, New Buffalo, Stevensville, Benton Harbor, Niles Dowagiac, Berrien Springs, Paw Paw or the surrounding areas Smart Choice Home Inspection has you covered to the highest standards of home inspection.

As a Nationally Certified Professional Inspector that’s also licensed outside of Michigan in Indiana and Illinois, I take my trade seriously. I have decades of experience in all things real estate which makes me a better home inspector.

While Michigan does not maintain or regulate a “standard” for the home inspection, many states do maintain minimum standards. Those typically nationalized standards are referred to as the “Standards of Practice” as compiled by the International Association of Certified Professional Inspectors (InterNACHI). InterNACHI is the largest association of home inspectors – worldwide.

Much of my inspections go well beyond the minimum Standards of Practice. I believe it’s impossible to perform a complete home inspection by sticking to the minimum standards. You deserve better from your home inspector. For example, the minimum standards only require a home inspector to open a representative number of windows. Representative means a few – not all! How would you feel if you moved into your new home only to learn that most of your windows don’t function – after you paid for a home inspection?! I open every window I can safely reach. There are many examples where the minimum won’t protect you or your investment.

The home inspection starts from a distance as some things can only be seen from a reasonable distance away. A home inspection is a visible inspection of the condition at the time of inspection of specific components and systems of the home.
From the roof coverings, the outside walls, to the basement, the interior and all of the systems in-between, if it can be inspected it should be inspected.

I am a Nationally Certified and Licensed Professional Inspector and invest heavily in the right tools so that I am able to offer a complete host of additional inspection services that are not considered standard to the home inspection. Such as Radon Testing, Termite Inspections, Mold Testing, Septic Tank Inspections, Sewer Line Inspections, Well Inspections, Water Quality Testing, Pool and Hot Tub Inspections.

Whether you are buying, selling or maintaining your home, Smart Choice Home Inspection provides professional and quality service from the moment you call me. I will walk through your home with you and teach you as much as you want to learn.
After we walk through the home together, I’ll explain the general condition of the home and systems with you and your agent. We will talk through any major issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later. I will also mention the items that you will want to keep an eye on for deferred maintenance. All of this will be detailed in an easy-to-read Spectora report, which will be delivered in HTML and/or PDF format. From that report, you will be able to see the items we discussed, with images for reference. So, call to schedule your home inspection now. Or schedule your home inspection here – online.

Home Inspector

Smart Choice Home Inspection thoroughly inspects and reports on the following:

  • Structural Systems

    Foundations, grading & drainage, basements, walkways, and floor, wall and ceiling structures.

  • Roofing

    Roof coverings, drainage systems, flashings and skylights, chimneys and other roof penetrations.

  • Electrical Systems

    Service entrance and panels, branch circuits, connected devices and fixtures, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and making sure your outlets are GFCI-protected.

  • Plumbing

    Fixtures and faucets, water supply systems, drain, waste and vent systems, water heater, vents, flues and chimneys, and any sump pumps or fuel storage and distribution systems.

  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems

    Heating and cooling equipment, ducts, vents and flues.

  • Appliances

    Dishwasher, garbage disposal, range hood, range or oven, cooktop, microwave, trash compactor, bathroom exhaust fans, garage door operator, and other built-in appliances.