Cal-West Property Inspections performs comprehensive home buyer inspections in San Diego. We also offer numerous inspection types for sellers and property owners with various goals. Find out about the types of inspections available for your property and work with seasoned inspectors to secure a thorough evaluation of your current or prospective home or investment property in the San Diego area.
Home Buyer Inspections in San Diego
Home Buyer Inspections
Home buyer inspections determine the current condition of a property you wish to purchase. Typically, buyers schedule an inspection after they make an offer and it’s been accepted by the seller. Home inspectors have a broad knowledge of the systems and components that allow a property to function normally. Inspectors evaluate the condition of the home in regard to major components by making sure they are in working order. In some cases, they may suggest further review by specialists in the field.
Inspections include pictures and videos that affect the value of the home. The inspector might note the effects of mold, leaks, structural damage, and electrical issues, for example.
What Does a Home Inspection Include?
Inspectors will test or inspect all major aspects of the home and provide verbal and written summaries of their findings. Below, find a partial list of items evaluated during a buyer’s home inspection:
- Roofs
- Gutters
- Flashing
- Chimneys
- Garage
- Doors & Windows
- Downspouts
- Drainage
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Patios/ Decks/Porches
- Foundation and Masonry
- Exterior Walls
- Porches
- Siding
- Stoops
- Cabinets
- Appliances
- Ceilings/Floors
- Interior Walls
- Bath Fixtures
- Electric Panel
- Attic and Framing
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Crawl Space
- Ventilation
- Insulation
- Visible Wiring
Avoid Predatory Contractors
Don’t be taken unawares by a roof leak that damages your belongings or a bad hot water heater that results in unexpected cold showers. With a home maintenance inspection, you will learn the true nature of all major elements of your home, from appliances, such as the furnace and hot water heater, to structures, such as the roof, gutters, and decks.
If you have elements that are approaching the end of their useful life, call us to inspect your major appliances. This can help you schedule the appropriate maintenance to extend the life of your furnace, dishwasher, refrigerator, and other appliances.
Home Maintenance Inspections
Home maintenance inspections allow you to preserve your home’s value even if you don’t plan to sell it right away. Regular home maintenance inspections can keep your family safe and help you avoid predatory contractors who want to charge you excessive repair costs.
Your home is your biggest asset, and you want to do everything you can to preserve and protect it. However, it’s important to understand the true condition of various systems and structures in your property. There are two reasons that home maintenance inspections are critical. First, you want to note any dangers to your family and fix them immediately. Second, you want to prevent contractors from talking you into expensive repairs that you don’t truly need.
A poorly maintained home can develop numerous problems such as carbon monoxide buildup from gas appliances, fire hazards from improperly installed or damaged electrical wiring, and DIY projects gone wrong. Cal-West Property Inspections will notify you of potential hazards and help you prevent accidents resulting in injury or death. It doesn’t cost much to have your home inspected but it will give you peace of mind and help you maintain the integrity of your property.
We Don’t Make Money Off Suggested Repairs
As a neutral party, we do not profit from any needed or suggested repairs. For example, let’s say you have a roofing contractor report that you need an entirely new roof. We can inspect the roof and give you an honest evaluation of its condition. This will give you the information you need to make the right decision regarding your home and budget. Perhaps the roof only needs minor repairs and the roofing contractor has oversold services for their own profit. We act in your interest and always suggest the most cost-effective repairs when we find an issue.
Builder Warranty Inspections
Many homeowners aren’t aware of the benefits of conducting builder warranty inspections. These inspections occur after you move into your newly built home. Most homes come with a one-year warranty from the developer and it’s important to make sure that you take advantage of this as needed. Home warranties typically cover damage within the first year of moving in. They allow you to hold the builder accountable for defects or issues with your home that can save you thousands of dollars on future repairs.
How can anything be wrong with a brand new home?
Home builders, like everyone else, are only human. Mistakes happen and are understandable. However, without a builder warranty inspection, you could end up paying for somebody else’s mistakes.
Many contractors cooperate to build a home. Plumbers, electricians, and construction companies work together throughout each stage of the build. Additionally, there are thousands of components that go into constructing your home. It only takes one mistake to create an opportunity for moisture damage, faulty electricity, leaking pipes, or other issues to threaten the value of your home and safety of your family.
Here are typical elements included in builder warranties:
- Electrical
- Insulation
- Heat loss
- Siding
- Roof
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Radon
Our builder warranty inspectors have a keen eye for damage that can cause havoc down the road. That’s why we recommend hiring our team for a builder warranty inspection before your warranty runs out.
SB-721 Inspections
What are sb-721 inspections? SB-721 is a relatively new law that aims to increase the level of public safety in regard to balconies, decks, and elevated structures. If you own a multifamily dwelling, you’ll need to have it inspected every six years to ensure that external, elevated features are safe for occupants and the community in general.
Referred to as the “balcony law,” SB-721 affects commercial buildings with more than three multifamily dwellings. An amendment excludes some developments and condos, which can be confusing to property owners. Contact us to find out whether your building requires SB-721 inspections.
What Is an Exterior Elevated Structure?
Although the law applies mainly to balconies it also includes the following external structures:
- Decks
- Stairways
- Walkways
- Balconies
- Porches
- Entryways 6 ft. above ground level
In particular, SB-721 addresses wood-based frameworks and passed in response to fatalities following structural failure of these types of elements.
Musty odors and health concerns are just two reasons it’s important to periodically run an air quality test for mold. Most homeowners dread the word mold. The same goes for prospective home buyers. Not only is mold unpleasant to look at, it can cause health hazards to your family and visitors. Headaches, respiratory problems and fatigue are just some of the health concerns associated with mold exposure. However, there are also beneficial types of mold that may inhabit your San Diego home.
Contact our team of elite home inspectors to test your indoor air for signs of mold. We respond promptly to set up an appointment for a mold test. Our San Diego mold inspectors arrive on time and inspect every inch of your home for signs of mold infestation. We also collect air samples to find out what, if any, types of mold you have on your property.
If you are planning to sell your home, you absolutely need to schedule a pre-listing inspection. Sometimes, the listing agent will pay for a prelisting inspection, but it typically falls to the potential home seller. Before you list your home on the market, it helps to know what defects can affect the sales price.
If you want to avoid buyer contingencies, it’s important to remedy any major defects or address them by adjusting the listing price appropriately. Typically, a pre-listing inspection will include all of the elements of a regular home inspection paid for by a buyer. The difference is that it’s paid for by a seller and happens before you put your house on the market.
While it costs a little bit more money upfront, you could end up maximizing your return on investment with a few minor fixes or upgrades. Many times, buyers will accept the results of a pre-listing inspection to avoid paying for a home buyer’s inspection. By conducting an inspection before you list the property, you also show integrity and accountability that many buyers will value. This could work in your favor during the negotiations process or help home buyers choose your property over uninspected listings.
During a pre-listing inspection, the inspector will examine the plumbing, roofing, structural integrity of the home, siding, HVAC systems, and other essential components.
Top Home Inspectors in San Diego
Cal-West Property Inspections provides a full range of inspection services for buyers and sellers in the competitive San Diego residential and commercial real estate markets. Let us help you better understand potential defects that impact home value, occupant health and safety, and buying/selling decisions. Contact us today to schedule seller or home buyer inspections in San Diego!
RELY ON THE EXPERTS AT CAL-WEST PROPERTY INSPECTIONS
Call Cal-West Property Inspections during your next residential, commercial or multi-family purchase in:
San Diego County, or, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
There is a lot of planning, construction and implementQation that goes into building a sustainable and safe home. When you are purchasing your home, consider an additional investment and peace of mind that a professional home inspection provides. Cal-West Property Inspections provides thorough slab to roof home inspections for home buyers in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Within our Home Buyer’s Home Inspection Service and Written Report, you will receive an in-depth written report detailing the condition of your new home with a list of issues, some of which will include necessary repairs or replacements, recommended repairs or replacements and repairs or replacements that may be necessary in the future. From your site conditions to your house foundation through the actual house and into the roof, the venting penetrations, chimney, garage, pools, spa, and outbuildings, Cal-West inspectors take the necessary time and energy to provide a complete understanding for the benefit of you and your family to make sure your new home is safe.
DON’T BUY A MONEY PIT
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make. Why risk buying a home before you know what’s hiding inside? Cal-West Property Inspections provides buyers inspection services that offer you:
- A better understanding of the condition of a listed home
- Reports detailing any risks or hazards hiding in a home
- Free Thermal Imaging Scan
- Free Carbon Monoxide Level Test
- Free Combustible Gas Leak Test
- 100% Money Back Guarantee
- Confidence in investing in a safe home for your family
WHAT DO OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY?
Garrett at Cal-West Property Inspections went above and beyond to help with a home inspection in Temecula. Incredibly thorough, detailed and showed me where the faults were in a home I was looking at, and found some things to make me reconsider and perhaps choose a different home to buy based on real problems found in a poorly remodeled property. He found issues with the furnace, landscaping, roof, toilet, windows, and other elements not immediately visible (a couple were, which I noticed on the walk through). Very friendly, on time, and knew what he was doing! I cannot recommend Garrett at Cal-West more highly. His reporting is really good, too, with detailed photos, explanations and color coded “uh oh” stuff front and center. If looking to buy a home, you need this level of information and deep-diving to see whether the seller needs to fix, or credit or both on issues which perhaps are not fully disclosed. Plus, on top of the work done, he’s a super nice guy and you get the feeling right away that he knows what is what and no guesswork. Thanks, Garrett for the great job!
Chris S
Reach out to Cal-West Property Inspections to schedule your buyers home inspection in the San Diego or Inland Empire areas:
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