Maintenance Inspection

What is a Home Maintenance Inspection?

A maintenance inspection is essentially the same as a standard home inspection, but the inspection is done for the current owner.  Most of these homeowners have been in their homes for over five years, and they may or may not have had their home inspected at the time they purchased it. Think of a maintenance inspection as a checkup visit to the doctor or dentist that need only happen every five years or so. A maintenance inspection will help to prioritize a home improvement list, and to hopefully find out about small problems before they turn into big ones.  In some cases, a maintenance inspection will reveal that what was thought to be a small problem has already turned into a big one. A maintenance inspection also gives homeowners a chance to have a professional home inspector answer questions they might have.  

What happens during a home inspection?

A licensed inspector checks out all the main systems of your home—roof, walls, foundation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing—and flags anything that might be starting to malfunction.

You might not even notice a problem, But in most cases, a good inspector can spot the little signs that something is starting to go: small cracks, uneven wearing, or even just appliances such as water heaters and furnaces reaching the eventual end of their lives. They can also remind you of the regular maintenance you should be doing on your house.

Like an annual physical, a maintenance inspection can catch issues early and give you the peace of mind of a clean bill of health. "It's a way to keep little problems from turning into big problems,"

Just like at a pre-purchase inspection, your inspector will walk you through the home, showing you what was found and explaining what it means. You should have a chance to ask questions or get clarifications, and usually the inspector will point out things you should be doing regularly to keep all of your home's systems functioning in tiptop shape. Then, within 24 hrs, you will receive a written report detailing everything the inspector found. Only in this case, instead of asking the seller to fix or pay for the things on your list, you're the one in charge of tackling the to-do list. Think of it as an itemized punch list to address whenever you choose.

Advantages to a maintenance inspection?

First and foremost a home maintenance inspection is that the inspector provides an unbiased opinion. You'll want the person inspecting your home to not have any skin in the game, especially if the pro is evaluating things that are expensive to repair (e.g., your roof or foundation).

If you do suspect something is in disrepair, it's wise to call in a home maintenance inspector before a repair company. "I'm not saying repair people are dishonest, but they have a vested interest in getting work, so you have to take what they say with a grain of salt,"

"A home inspector isn't trying to sell you anything ... and isn't going to make any money off doing the repairs, "All we have to sell is the truth."

Prices vary depending on the area and size of the home, but the average range is $200–$400. Considering the fee for electrical, foundation, or roof repairs can be three to four times higher, that's a pretty great deal. When it comes down to it, a home maintenance inspection is a cost-effective way to keep your home in tiptop shape. 

What’s Included in Your Home Maintenance Inspection?

I will inspect for any problems you may be concerned about, as well as the:

• roof system, including the chimney & all roof penetrations;
• gutters & downspouts;
• grading & drainage;
• walkways & driveway;
• garage doors, safety sensors & openers;
• exterior cladding;
• deck, stoops, porches & railings;
• windows & doors;
• attic, insulation & ventilation;
• heating system;
• cooling system;
• plumbing system;
• drainage sump pump with accessible float;
• electrical system;
• fireplace damper door & hearth;
• ceilings, floors & walls;
• basement, foundation & crawlspace;
• and much more!