Home Inspections Raleigh Area

pikapp691

pikapp691

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2005
Location
Raleigh
Anyone do home inspections in the Raleigh area or know of a respected inspector? I may be purchasing a home. Whats the going rate for an inspection?

Do they charge more for an older home? Do they charge more for a well and septic?

-Thanks a lot
 
Google NC home inspector, usually it will get you some good info...or contact the main office(Licensing Board) for home inspectors, its up there too, NCHILB. I am an inspector myself but dont have any connections in Raleigh. If only you were buying in Charlotte....;) Most inspectors prices are based on square footage, usually older homes like 25+ years or more add a little cost, normally well and septic are additional cost too, if you want the water tested, but not more expensive just because they have well and septic.

hope that helps...
 
There is an old guy that did mine 8years ago. His name was Whyle Earp (true story) and he really knew his stuff, talked to me about everything the whole time he was there. I asked him a ton of questions.. I think he was out of Apex/Cary area.. Not even sure if he's still in biz...
 
pikapp691 said:
Anyone do home inspections in the Raleigh area or know of a respected inspector? I may be purchasing a home. Whats the going rate for an inspection?
Do they charge more for an older home? Do they charge more for a well and septic?
-Thanks a lot
Click to expand...


Rate... depends on sq. footage, crawl space, etc. I'd say an average of around $350.00 for an inspection...
 
I personally am REALLY Leary of Home inspectors these days. First off...they are not required to be liscened anymore. Second...most of them, at least around here, have very little experience to diagnose actual problems. Many are franchises now that just send them out with a computer to prompt the "Inspector" of the next thing to look for.

Inspections are used more by the bank these days as a bargaining tool rather than an actual critical evaluation of a homes structural soundness. It is typically required by the loan officer though.:shaking: The "Inspectors" are not liable for anything...and thus its just an opinion.

Sorry for the rant...

I have a buddy in Wake County that may be able to point you in the right direction...let me see if I can get some info for you..expect to throw away $350 -$400 and not get much more than an evaluation that you cant already determine with your naked eye.
 
kansersurvivor said:
I personally am REALLY Leary of Home inspectors these days. First off...they are not required to be liscened anymore. Second...most of them, at least around here, have very little experience to diagnose actual problems. Many are franchises now that just send them out with a computer to prompt the "Inspector" of the next thing to look for.
Inspections are used more by the bank these days as a bargaining tool rather than an actual critical evaluation of a homes structural soundness. It is typically required by the loan officer though.:shaking: The "Inspectors" are not liable for anything...and thus its just an opinion.
Sorry for the rant...
I have a buddy in Wake County that may be able to point you in the right direction...let me see if I can get some info for you..expect to throw away $350 -$400 and not get much more than an evaluation that you cant already determine with your naked eye.
Click to expand...

When did this change?

My buddy just went and got licensed few months ago.. He's a PE.. To even be considered to be a home inspector you have to either have a GC license , PE, or a ton of experience under a licensed inspector... So unless things have changed in a few months.. you do have to be licensed by NC and it's similar to a PE,etc.... only good in NC, code of ethics, ect.

And it's my understanding inspectors can be found liable..

http://www.nclhia.com/

http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering/HILB/NCHILB.asp



It's your own fault if you go out and hire any bum off the street to do a home inspection... I'd recommend hiring a licensed one and if they're getting paid to do a home inspection they are "supposed" to be licensed by NC.....
 
uncc civilengineer said:
When did this change?
My buddy just went and got licensed few months ago.. He's a PE.. To even be considered to be a home inspector you have to either have a GC license , PE, or a ton of experience under a licensed inspector... So unless things have changed in a few months.. you do have to be licensed by NC and it's similar to a PE,etc.... only good in NC, code of ethics, ect.
Click to expand...

Hmm...they may be then...but the fact remains...that they are not liable for anything.

hats off to a company that does thorough inspections...but I have not seen any here.

Also...anyone can pass a GC test...but does that qualify you?? nah...the test is not real world. Its made by bureaucrats in Raleigh. FIRST THING any good GC exam prep will tell you is that if you already have experience...to FORGET ALL OF IT. Those classes prepare you to take the test...not be able to actually perform the work.
 
kansersurvivor said:
Hmm...they may be then...but the fact remains...that they are not liable for anything.
hats off to a company that does thorough inspections...but I have not seen any here.
Also...anyone can pass a GC test...but does that qualify you?? nah...the test is not real world. Its made by bureaucrats in Raleigh. FIRST THING any good GC exam prep will tell you is that if you already have experience...to FORGET ALL OF IT. Those classes prepare you to take the test...not be able to actually perform the work.
Click to expand...

why come online throwing out misinformed information you obviously know nothing about.. that doesn't help anyone...

Home inspectors can be found liable...show me where it says they cant and i'll agree...

EDIT: it may even be for only the dollar amount of the inspection but still can be found liable...
 
DONALDSON, John
License 32
Complaint filed: May 18, 2004 (Charlotte)
One year probation; 8 additional hours of CE (four hours in structural and four hours in report writing)submit 3 reports for review, letter of reprimand for providing an engineering opinion without having a professional engineering license.
I stand corrected...about the license and accountability.
So what are they qualified to actually evaluate then...??
He WAS a licensed Inspector...but was reprimanded for giving an evaluation of structural issues. Whats the purpose of an inspection if you cant diagnose structural issues.
Seems to me is that they are only licensed to inspect what they can visibly see.
 
kansersurvivor said:
DONALDSON, John
License 32
Complaint filed: May 18, 2004 (Charlotte)
One year probation; 8 additional hours of CE (four hours in structural and four hours in report writing)submit 3 reports for review, letter of reprimand for providing an engineering opinion without having a professional engineering license.
I stand corrected...about the license and accountability.
So what are they qualified to actually evaluate then...??
He WAS a licensed Inspector...but was reprimanded for giving an evaluation of structural issues. Whats the purpose of an inspection if you cant diagnose structural issues.
Seems to me is that they are only licensed to inspect what they can visibly see.
Click to expand...

The purpose of your issue is you're not a P.E. so you were basically giving your opinion about something the state deemed you weren't qualified to do... No different than an engineer practicing outside his field and getting reprimanded ...

I'll state this... I would only have a P.E. inspect my home... Someone w/ a Structual background prefered...
 
I would not deal with anyone that was not licensed and that did not have references of some kind.

Its an older home but has an acre lot. Has well/septic. Anyone know if per code you add on to your home that you have to upgrade septic as well?
 
you do have to be licensed, and you are liable for what goes in your report. They are strict with everything. Yes, there are bad apples in every profession, even home inspectors. Those kinds make all of us look bad. You do have to know your chit too, the test is no joke, niether is a GC test. You need to know the ins and outs of all the components in a house. My business is word of mouth mostly, I would rather be referred than anything.....

I have been involved in the house construction stuff since I was young which has helped. Some guys in the continuing education classes have no clue how a house is even built...:rolleyes: thats scary!
 
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