Find a home inspector you can trust with Family Dwelling
Family Dwelling Has You Covered
When buying a home, we offer you greater peace of mind and clarity on your purchase with a pre-purchase home inspection. For sellers, we help to ensure a smooth transaction and maximum return with a pre-listing home inspection.
Additional services include annual home maintenance inspections to help you save money by identifying problems early on.
Pre-Purchase Inspections
Purchasing a new home also means buying that home's problems. With a pre-purchase home inspection you can see exactly what you're buying. Problems discovered during the inspection could allow you to renegotiate to offset the costs of repairs — potentially saving you thousands of dollars. We'll even help you become familiar with the property.
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Pre-Listing Inspections
Sometimes selling your home can be just as much of a roller coaster as buying one. Getting a pre-listing home inspection can help ensure a quick and smooth transaction. You can enter the selling process with confidence that there won't be any nasty surprises. You'll also avoid delays, which could last for weeks or even months.
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Testing for Radon Gas
Radon is a naturally produced, radioactive gas — and the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind cigarettes. Radon gas can enter your home through the foundation and collect in the basement. A radon test will help to protect your family by checking for hazardous concentrations. If levels are too high, then a radon mitigation system should be installed.
Walk Along
A walk-along consultation is a great alternative for those in a competitive housing market who waive the full home inspection. The walk-along consultation is a verbal walkthrough of readily available aspects of the interior and exterior of the home to give you advice about what may be found on a full inspection. The walk-along does not include a report or photos and is limited in scope, but can provide insight and peace of mind. This is not a substitution for a full home inspection, and we recommend still doing a full home inspection after closing.
Home Maintenance Inspections
An annual home maintenance inspection will help to identify potential problems before they can become major financial or safety issues. With a trained eye, we know where and how to look for problems that might go unnoticed for years. A home maintenance inspection covers common problem areas including the roof and attic, basement and foundation, grading and drainage, electrical systems, water heating systems, and much more.
View DetailsExtra Peace of Mind Included with Every Home Inspection
We include RecallChek, free of charge, with every full home inspection. RecallChek examines over 195 million recalled appliances as listed by the CPSC. You'll be notified, in your monthly news letter, of any recalls for your appliances along with instructions to get the appliance repaired by the manufacturer. Even if a recall is not found on the first report, it may be found a month or years later.
We encourage you to sign up for an account when you get your report, which will be delivered within 2 business days from the time it was submitted. This is typically the day of the inspection. This account will allow you to add and edit any appliances associated with you and change them as you upgrade the appliances. You can even change the address on the account, so if you move it will follow you to your next home.
A Standard Home Inspection Includes:
Interior
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Plumbing
Check faucets and showers, looking for visible leaks as well as testing water pressure. Identify the types of pipes used, if visible. Identify the location of the main water shutoff valve.
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Electrical
Identify the type of wiring, test all outlets and make sure there are GFCIs installed where needed to protect from electrical shock. Inspect the electrical panel for safety issues and fire hazards.
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Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Determine the age of the furnace and air conditioner, whether or not they function properly, and possibly recommend repairs or maintenance.
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Water Heater
Determine the age of the water heater and check for proper installation. We can also determine the condition and possibly give an estimated remaining life span of the unit.
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Laundry Room
Check for proper ventilation. A poorly ventilated dryer exhaust can be a serious fire hazard.
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Fire Safety
Test smoke detectors and ensure that the garage wall, if present, has the proper fire rating and is undamaged. Also check the fireplace for proper installation and maintenance.
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Bathrooms
Check for visible leaks, properly secured toilets, proper ventilation to prevent moisture related issues, and more.
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Attic
If possible, check for structural damage and proper ventilation. Also check insulation and ensure that nothing is ventilated directly into the attic, such as the bathroom.
Exterior
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Exterior Walls
Check for damaged or missing siding, cracks, and excessive soil contact which can be an invitation for pests.
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Foundation
Check for possible foundation failure, indicated by cracks or settling.
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Grading
Check to ensure that the ground slopes away from the house, which prevents water from entering the house or causing damage to the foundation.
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Roof
If accessible and visible, check for roof damage or poor installation that may allow for water penetration as well as checking the condition of the gutters.
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Main Garage
Test the garage door for proper functionality, check for proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and check for risks of explosion from ignition sources too close to the floor. Only the main garage is included in the inspection. Additional garages and outbuildings can be inspected at an additional charge per building.
Do you have unanswered questions? Or are you ready to schedule your inspection? Either way, we look forward to hearing from you.
Home Inspector Serving Minnesota
Family Dwelling provides professional home inspection services in Albany, Annandale, Brainerd, Buffalo, Cambridge, Cold Spring, Hinckley, Little Falls, Milaca, Monticello, North Branch, Princeton, Sauk Centre, St Cloud, St Joseph. Unsure if we service your area call, text, or email us at (414) 563-7110, contact@familydwelling.net.