(425) 786-7680

stepbystepinspections@gmail.com

(425) 786-7680

stepbystepinspections@gmail.com

BUYERS INSPECTIONS

BELLEVUE’S BEST INSPECTIONS

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you should always include the services of a licensed, certified, and experienced inspector. We have gone beyond industry standards by:

Passing InterNACHI’s online Inspector Examination annually.

Adhering to the Code of Ethics by InterNACHI in addition to state provided ethics.

Completing continuing education courses set forth by InterNACHI and Washington State.

Having our reports reviewed by industry leaders.

Gaining “Real World” education that provides us with invaluable hands-on knowledge.

Getting additional training through the AHIT program, the industry’s most rigorous program: http://www.ahit.com/index.htm 

Being fully licensed by the State of Washington

WE INSPECT:

ROOF

  • the roof covering (asphalt, slate, metal, etc.)
  • the gutters  and their condition
  • the vents, flashings, skylights
  • the chimney, plumbing vents, and other roof penetrations
  • the general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.

STRUCTURE

  • Inspect the overall structure of the home
  • Inspect the roof structure
  • Inspect the piers, posts, and other support members
  • Inspect the main and secondary bearing beams
  • Inspect the foundation, framing and methods, bearing walls and other components of the structure

ELECTRICAL

  • the service entry point;
  • the meter socket enclosures;
  • the means for disconnecting the service main;
  • describe the service disconnect amperage rating, if labeled;
  • panelboards and overcurrent devices (breakers and fuses);
  • report on any unused circuit breaker panel openings that are not filled;
  • the service grounding and bonding;
  • a representative number of switches, lighting fixtures, and receptacles, including receptacles observed and deemed to be AFCI-protected during the inspection using the AFCI test button, where possible;
  • test Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles and GFCI circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs during the inspection using a GFCI tester, where possible;
  • report the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring, if readily accessible;
  • report on any tested receptacles in which power was not present, polarity was incorrect, was not secured to the wall, the cover was not in place, the ground fault circuit interrupter devices are not properly installed or do not operate properly, evidence of arcing or excessive heat is present, or where the receptacle is not grounded or is not secured to the wall;
  • the service entrance conductors and the condition of the conductor insulation;
  • report the absence of smoke detectors;
  • service entrance cables
  • report as in need of repair deficiencies in the integrity of the insulation, drip loop, or separation of conductors at weather-heads and clearances from grade or rooftops.

PLUMBING

  • inspect and determine if the water supply is public or private;
  • verify the presence of and condition of the the main water shut-off valve;
  • inspect the water heating equipment, including venting, connections, energy source supply system and verify the presence or absence of temperature-pressure relief valves;
  • flush and operate toilets;
  • water-test sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage;
  • inspect the interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets;
  • inspect the drain, waste and vent systems, including all fixtures;
  • describe any accessible fuel storage systems;
  • inspect the drainage sump pumps and test pumps with accessible floats;
  • inspect and describe the water supply, drain, waste and main fuel shut-off valves, as well as the location of the water main and main fuel shut-off valves;
  • inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the water supply by viewing the functional flow
  • inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in installation and identification of hot and cold faucets;
  • inspect and report as in need of repair mechanical drain-stops that are missing or do not operate if installed in sinks, lavatories and tubs; and
  • inspect and report as in need of repair commodes that have cracks in the ceramic material, are improperly mounted on the floor, leak, or have tank components which do not operate.

BASEMENT, FOUNDATION & CRAWLSPACE

  • the basement;
  • the foundation;
  • the crawlspace (if present);
  • the visible structural components;
  • report on the location of under-floor access openings;
  • report any present conditions or clear indications of active water penetration observed by the inspector;
  • wood in contact or near soil;
  • report any general indications of foundation movement or issues that are observed by the home inspector, such as, but not limited to: gypsum board cracks, brick cracks, out-of-square door frames, or floor slopes;
  • report on any cutting, notching and boring of framing members which may present a structural or safety concern.

HEATING

  • operate and observe the heating systems using normal operating controls, and describe the energy source and heating method;
  • report any needs for repair of the heating systems which do not operate or do not operate well
  • report if the heating systems are deemed inaccessible.
  • Thoroughly inspect every accessible component of the heating system throughout the home during your home inspection

COOLING

  • operate and observe the cooling system using normal operating controls, and describe the energy source and cooling method;
  • report any needs for repair of the cooling system which does not operate or does not operate well
  • report if the cooling system is deemed inaccessible.
  • Thoroughly inspect every accessible component of the cooling system throughout the home during your home inspection

FIREPLACE & WOODSTOVE

  • the fireplace and wood stove, and open and close the damper door, if accessible and safe to operable;
  • hearth extensions and other permanently installed components;
  • report as in need of repair deficiencies in the lintel, hearth and material surrounding the fireplace, including fireplace opening clearance from visible combustible materials.

EXTERIOR

  • the siding, flashing and trim
  • all exterior doors, decks, stoops, steps, stairs, porches, railings, eaves, soffits and fascias
  • report as in need of repair any spacings between intermediate balusters, spindles, or rails for steps, stairways, balconies, and railings that permit the passage of an object greater than 4 inches in diameter
  • a representative number of windows
  • vegetation, surface drainage, and retaining walls when these are likely to adversely affect the structure
  • describe condition of the exterior wall covering.

INTERIOR

  • open and close a representative number of doors and windows;
  • inspect the walls, ceilings, steps, stairways and railings;
  • report as in need of repair any spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles or rails for steps, stairways and railings that permit the passage of an object greater than 4 inches in diameter;
  • inspect garage doors and garage door openers by operating first by remote (if available), and then by the installed automatic door control;
  • report as in need of repair any installed electronic sensors that are not operable or not installed at proper heights above the garage door;
  • report as in need of repair any door locks or side ropes that have not been removed or disabled when garage door opener is in use;
  • report as in need of repair any windows that are obviously fogged or display other evidence of broken seals.

INFORMATIVE REPORTS

To help you fully understand your property, we compile a comprehensive report that includes images and descriptions of all our findings. Despite being so detailed, this report is easy to understand, making it a powerful tool in the negotiation and repair process.

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