Frequently Asked Questions

• We have been in full time local operation as a home inspection company since 1991 and have been a building consultant since 1987

• NO, All inspectors are direct salaried employees and work only for Final Analysis property Inspections. 
• We do not farm out our inspections to independent contractors.  Companies who subcontract can not guarantee quality of service or protection of their customers because it is no longer their customer once they subcontract the work.

• Absolutely not. Every inspection is completed by a vetted, experienced, fully engaged inspector assigned to each client from start to finish. Some larger inspections may require several certified inspectors.
• Beware of companies who assign unliscensed trainees or helpers to gather inspection data and then rubber stamp the inspection.

• No. Each inspection gets careful, meticulous scrutiny by one or two specialists for however long is needed. More might be faster but not better. We find that “too many cooks spoil the broth” and more eyes only see what they are looking at and not what the other eyes are missing.
• Rarely do the “team members” have the specialized training and qualifications of a liscensed inspector. 
• Inspections should never be done “faster”.
• Haste makes waste.

The company has been in the business solely of providing property inspections since 1991.

• • We have carved out a niche in the market that represents buyers and sellers directly as opposed to sponsorships, partnerships or affiliations with real estate companies.
  • You have our full staff to bear on your inspection which includes the Owner, office manager and all inspectors. Everyone is fully cross trained and can help you with your questions.
  • Each inspector is fully trained and certified to include the following;
    • All inspectors hold degrees in higher education in related trades.
    • All inspectors must pass the National Inspection Examination.
    • All inspectors are certified nationally and at the state level.
    • All inspectors are VA state licensed.
    • All inspectors are ASHI certified (American Society of Home Inspectors).
    • All inspectors have minimum 5 years experience in the building trades
    • All inspectors have undergone a rigorous 1 year apprenticeship.
    • All inspectors go through a mentoring process with a master inspector for a minimum of 250 inspections
    • All inspectors have full background investigations

• YES, We carry 

• Errors and Omissions (E&O)/Professional Liability Insurance which provides protection against inspector negligence.

• General Liability insurance of 1 million ($250k is the state minimum requirement which is less than a home these days)

• Provides protection when someone or something is broken or injured.
• We provide workers comp insurance.
• Our insurance also protects or indemnifies other parties such as clients and agents
• We also carry major medical and dental for all employees.

• Yes we have 2 guarantees available.

• • Satisfaction Guarantee – States if you are not happy upon completion of  the inspection you don’t have to pay us.
  • Performance Guarantee – States that if we missed a defect during the inspection we’ll pay for it.

• We cover all of greater Hampton Roads and NE North Carolina. Generally we can travel up to 60 miles but our preferred distance is 30 miles from our business location 23464

• Southside and the peninsula as far up as Richmond.
• We do go to the eastern shore or Smithfield areas, schedule permitting
• There is a travel fee for some outlying areas and any distance greater than 25 miles.

• We can schedule most inspections within 1- 3 days. 
• Multiple inspectors allows us good scheduling flexibility.
• We can also do evening, weekend and holiday inspection for an additional fee.

We do provide what’s called “add-on” or ancillary services that can be completed during the primary inspection.  These services include:

• Termite|Moisture|Fungi aka; wood destroying organisms. Required by many loan underwriters
• Sewage video scope service
• Mold / indoor air quality
• Lead/Asbestos sampleing
• Drinking water sampling
• Level 1 fireplace inspection
• Swimming pool/spa
• lawn irrrigation
• House measurements
• Specialty structures such as Docks, boat lifts, bulkheading, Piers, Outdoor kitchens

Yes — we strongly encourage it. As a hired expert, we are part of your team
Attending allows you to:

• See issues firsthand

• Ask questions in real time

• Gain clarity on issues when you see them in the report

• Get valuable insight and advoice from the inspector about the home

Your inspection becomes an education on the home, not just a report.

We inspect all major systems and components, including:

• Roofing

• Structure & foundation

• Exterior, lot gradinf and drainage

• Electrical

• Plumbing

• HVAC

• Attic & insulation

• Interior systems & components

• Built-in appliances

We far exeed the minimum standards of practice mandated by state and natioanl standards.

We do not perform invasive or destructive testing.
We cannot see inside:

• Walls

• Underground lines

• Sealed systems

• Concealed framing

If a condition warrants further evaluation, we’ll clearly disclose and recommend that.

Systematic, In debth investigative approach (no check box inspections)

• Full systems operations and testing.
• Systematic room by room and system by system examination, testing, evaluation and documentation of defects, deficiencies.
• Overview photographs and videos of all primary systems
• Mild operationl stress testing and documentation of all plumbing, electrical, HVAC and ventilation systems.
• Open, examine and video all elecric panels.
• 100% checks on all multi components eg; doors, windows, switches, outlets, faucets. (Not limited to random sampling)
• Documentation of all system ages, serial numbers and model numbers.
• Infrared and moisture/hydro scans of all systems and structure.
• Client consultation and debrief

We methodically evaluate and report on:

• Structural condition and performance

• Roof, siding, windows and doors intergrity

• Moisture intrusion risk

• Electrical safety

• HVAC operation and age expectancy

• Plumbing function and leak potential

• Insulation levels (including Virginia R-value expectations)

• Life-safety concerns

Out reports are extrodinarily detailed and comprehensive in a way to provide full illumination of a home condition, characture and quality.   Reports contains many annotated photos, narrated videos, and precisely written, easy to follow descriptions of conditions.

• We use web style reporting that can be downloaded, PDF’d and printed.
• Our reports depict overview sections for each systems type, style, age, characture, quality and design for that home
• Followed by a breakdown of any defects and deficiencies of each system with classifications of severity, implications and recommendations for correction.

• Time-sensitive transactions demand timely reporting
• All residential inspection reports are delivered same business day, usually within a couple hours of inspection completion.

• Absolutely !We encourage follow-up questions. Even months later. We are not a one-and-done company.
  An inspection is not a one-day service.
• We provide ongoing professional support long after the inspection is completed.
• We’ll know more about your house than anyone, so please take advantage of the knowledge.

Yes. We can provide repair cost estimates on report items that help you understand thee cost of things and gives you the ability to  monetize and prioritize repairs.

Repair cost estimates are based on local contractor pricing.

Absolutely.  Over the years, many of our clients have requested the same inspector they feel comfortable with, time and time again.

Yes. All our inspectors are kind, have great “bedside manner” and are eager to achieve a high level of understanding and comfort about your inspection and what they are doing for you.

We have a high standard of expertise that far exceeds the state minimums. Each inspector is well invested in the successful outcome of your inspection

• Our inspectors start with higher education and experience levels in related trades.
• All inspectors have completed a rigorous 1 year apprenticship program with class room and field training.
• All inspectors are senior level, experienced and have at least 1000 inspections under their belt.
• All are long term, full time employees of the company.
• All inspectors maintain advanced certification and liscensing through DPOR, NCHLIB, ASHI, NACHI, VDACS, NPMA
• All inspectors are required to maintain a minimum of 52 Continuing educational hours each year (CEU’s)

Good question because this gives valuable insite to your inspectors intellect and experience.

YES. Each inspectors credentials and examples of their reports are available on our “about us” page and our sample report page .