A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. We test and/or examine interior plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, attic and visible insulation, ventilation, siding, windows, doors, roofs, garages, foundations, and the general condition of other visible parts of the structure.
After an inspection, a digital report is issued— in our case within 24 hours— which details the components of the home and outlines the findings.
We Provide the Following Inspection Services:
• Buyer’s Home Inspections
• Pre-listing Home Inspections (For Seller)
• Maintenance Home Inspections
• Warranty Home Inspections
• Condo and Townhouse Inspections
• Pest & Dry Rot Inspections (W.D.O.)
• Re-inspections
• Outbuilding Inspections
We offer additional services alongside of home inspections including radon testing, home energy scores, sewer scopes, and oil tank searches.
Reasons To Purchase A Home Inspection
Many home defects are not outwardly visible. Repairing or replacing systems or components in a home can be costly, much more than the cost of a home inspection. If you are purchasing a home, the findings of a Buyer’s Home Inspection can provide an opportunity to negotiate with the seller on price or repairs as a part of the transaction, which can potentially save thousands of dollars. Furthermore, if significant defects are found, they may be used as justification to retract an offer. Knowing the general condition of a home prior to purchase is a valuable part of making a well-informed buying decision.
If you are selling your home, a Pre-listing Home Inspection can uncover defects a buyer’s inspector might find. Having extra time to schedule estimates and budget for repairs outside of the constraints of real estate deadlines will likely save you money. And, improvements you make as a seller can prevent a buyer from backing out of their offer.
There are many environmental or mechanical issues that can be damaging to a home, but most of the time are inexpensive to fix if detected early. A Maintenance Home Inspection is an opportunity for a homeowner to learn about preventative measures that can prolong the life of home systems, components and structure. This inspection can also uncover defects and issues of safety that require remedy.
If you bought a new home within the last 12 months, you should consider purchasing a Warranty Home Inspection. All home builders in Oregon are required to provide a 1-year warranty on material and workmanship defects on new homes. If anything other than cosmetic defects are found, the home builder will need to be notified and is obligated to make repairs.
What Makes Us Better
Home inspectors have varying equipment, experience, reporting methods and pricing. Tabor Northwest stands out in all of these areas. Ultimately, though, we believe our greatest strength is the effort we put into our inspections. We don’t take shortcuts, and work very hard to provide you with as much information as possible. Complacency is not an option. This is your home, or future home, and our livelihood.
We bring tall ladders to walk on almost every roof. We get into the tightest of crawl spaces. A tactile approach to inspecting a home is a fundamental part of our business. Getting up close and personal with the home is our ambition, and sometimes that requires more time and effort. 15 years of experience building homes and additions gives us a unique perspective on the deficiencies we find, allowing us to effectively communicate how it can potentially impact you and your home.
Unlike other inspectors, we only schedule one inspection per day. This gives us the opportunity to be thorough without feeling rushed to get to another inspection. We routinely stay longer at inspections to have in-depth conversations with our clients and answer questions. It also allots us time in the evening to prepare an accurate and detailed report, which is emailed in 24 hours or less. In this market, we know that deadlines are important. It is our goal to deliver the report to you as soon as possible.
Inspection Duration
Most homes take about 3 hours to inspect. More complex homes will take longer. Some factors that affect the complexity include: the age and size of the home, weather conditions on the day of the inspection, how well the home has been maintained, and if the home is occupied or vacant.
A home cannot “pass” or “fail” inspection, but most homes, even new ones, will have defects or maintenance recommendations.
We understand it isn’t always possible, but we encourage our customers to attend the inspection. For us, the most enjoyable part of an inspection is walking through and giving our client a comprehensive introduction to the home.
Checking Home Inspector Credentials
In Oregon, home inspectors must be licensed by the state, and are extensively trained to recognize potential problems in a home. The Oregon Contractors Board has made it easy to search for home inspectors by either their Oregon Certified Home Inspector number or their Construction Contractors Board number. Both should be displayed on a home inspector’s website, business cards, or other marketing material. It is wise to research your home inspector to make sure they have the proper licensing and insurance, as well as no flags for improper conduct. You can search a number by visiting https://www.ccb.state.or.us/search/
Tabor Northwest is an Oregon Certified Home Inspector (OCHI# 1987) a Licensed Contractor and a Certified Home Energy Assessor (CCB# 214738).
Our typical inspection time is 10:00 am, but arrangements can be made for other times. Weekend inspections are available on a case by case basis.
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