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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why should I have home inspection?
A. An inspection performed according to the standards of the American Society of Home (ASHI) inspectors will answer your questions about the condition of the property, and assist you in making an informed decision about purchasing the property and necessary repairs prior to purchase.

Q. What types of homes should be inspected?
A. All homes—new construction, old homes and even condos—can benefit from an inspection.

Q. Should I do my own home inspection?
A. A professional inspector has examined hundreds, perhaps even thousands of homes. The inspector will objectively evaluate the home in a variety of areas in which the buyer may lack expertise and provide you with unbiased information about the condition of the house.

Q. How do I chose a good inspector?
A. A referral from a friend or your real estage agent is a good place to start, or check the local Yellow Pages under. Be sure that your inspector is Maryland or Virginia licensed and certified by the American Society of Home inspectors. ASHI members must pass two written technical exams, have extensive experience, having performed at least 250 professional home inspections and maintained candidate status for no less than six months. ASHI members follow a Code of Ethics and must pursue continuing education credits in order to keep current with the latest in building technology, materials, and professional skills. Click here for ASHI Standards of Practice.

Q. Should I be present at the home inspection?
A. We encourage you to accompany your inspector to learn as much as possible about the condition of the home. You will also learn how to operate and maintain the systems in the home, as well as determining defects that you may wish to have corrected prior to purchasing a home.

Q. When should I have the inspection done?
A. Before you sign a purchase agreement or contract, be sure that a home inspection clause is included that makes the purchase contingent on the findings of a home inspection. Once you have signed the contract, arrange to have the inspection be performed as soon as it can be arranged.

Q. How long should a home inspection take?
A. Most single family inspections take from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 of on-site time to investigate and pohotgraph the home's condition. Most Condo inspections take 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours of on-site time. Off-site report preparation time varies, but reports are completed by 9:00 AM the following day.

Q. What's included in a home inspection?
A. The inspection will be of the following readily-accessible areas of the house, and is limited to visual observations of apparent conditions existing at the time of the inspection. The inspection will be permed in a manner consistent with the standards of the American Society of Home Inspectors. Click here for a partial list of the items that are inspected. Click here for ASHI Standards of Practice.

Q. What should the finished inspection report look like?
A. Click here for a sample Schwindt & Co. inspection report.

Q. What if problem are discovered at the inspection?
A. There are no perfect homes—defects will be discovered. The report will help you more fully evaluate the purchase. The report may provide the buyer with the opportunity to re-negotiate the price or to require repairs be made. The report may even lead the buyer to decide not to purchase the home at all.



		Frequently Asked Questions Q. Why should I have home inspection? A. An inspection performed according to the standards of the American Society of Home (ASHI) inspectors will answer your questions about the condition of the property, and assist you in making an informed decision about purchasing the property and necessary repairs prior to purchase. Q. What types of homes should be inspected? A. All homes—new construction, old homes and even condos—can benefit from an inspection. Q. Should I do my own home inspection? A. A professional inspector has examined hundreds, perhaps even thousands of homes. The inspector will objectively evaluate the home in a variety of areas in which the buyer may lack expertise and provide you with unbiased information about the condition of the house. Q. How do I chose a good inspector? A. A referral from a friend or your real estage agent is a good place to start, or check the local Yellow Pages under. Be sure that your inspector is Maryland or Virginia licensed and certified by the American Society of Home inspectors. ASHI members must pass two written technical exams, have extensive experience, having performed at least 250 professional home inspections and maintained candidate status for no less than six months. ASHI members follow a Code of Ethics and must pursue continuing education credits in order to keep current with the latest in building technology, materials, and professional skills. Click here for ASHI Standards of Practice. Q. Should I be present at the home inspection? A. We encourage you to accompany your inspector to learn as much as possible about the condition of the home. You will also learn how to operate and maintain the systems in the home, as well as determining defects that you may wish to have corrected prior to purchasing a home. Q. When should I have the inspection done? A. Before you sign a purchase agreement or contract, be sure that a home inspection clause is included that makes the purchase contingent on the findings of a home inspection. Once you have signed the contract, arrange to have the inspection be performed as soon as it can be arranged. Q. How long should a home inspection take? A. Most single family inspections take from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 of on-site time to investigate and pohotgraph the home's condition. Most Condo inspections take 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours of on-site time. Off-site report preparation time varies, but reports are completed by 9:00 AM the following day. Q. What's included in a home inspection? A. The inspection will be of the following readily-accessible areas of the house, and is limited to visual observations of apparent conditions existing at the time of the inspection. The inspection will be permed in a manner consistent with the standards of the American Society of Home Inspectors. Click here for a partial list of the items that are inspected. Click here for ASHI Standards of Practice. Q. What should the finished inspection report look like? A. Click here for a sample Schwindt & Co. inspection report. Q. What if problem are discovered at the inspection? A. There are no perfect homes—defects will be discovered. The report will help you more fully evaluate the purchase. The report may provide the buyer with the opportunity to re-negotiate the price or to require repairs be made. The report may even lead the buyer to decide not to purchase the home at all.