What's a home inspection?
A home inspection is like a visual inspection—a physical checkup for your home. It's a very thorough, non-invasive checkup of every part of a home. An inspection will determine the overall condition of the home by checking hundreds of little parts your home is made up of. The report will indicate any repairs or replacements that need to be performed, and also a maintenance plan.

What will an inspection check?
A home inspector will check a home's structure, electrical system, plumbing, heating, roof, foundation, crawlspace, attic ventilation, and so forth. Appliances that will be sold with the home are also assessed. After Hours Home Inspection will take lots of digital photos documenting the condition of various parts of a home, as well as photos giving a good representation of the aesthetics of the home. Check a complete list of what you'll pay me to inspect.

Who has a home inspection performed—the buyer or the seller?
Usually the buyer. Most offers to buy a home are contingent upon the results of the home inspection report. If there are significant problems, it is usually the responsibility of the seller to perform needed repairs (depending on the buyer's contract).

What's the advantage of having a home inspection?
Buying a home is a huge investment. Protect yourself by getting a home inspection done before you buy. Many homes look good from the outside, but have serious problems lurking beneath the surface. They may have out of date electrical systems that pose a fire hazard and will cost thousands of dollars to replace, poor ventilation in the attic, toxic mold in the basement, roof problems, or dozens of other defects. At After Hours Home Inspection, I inspect every home as carefully as if I was buying the house myself (and I'm a pretty tough customer!). So, you can be sure of the condition of the home before you move in, and not have any unpleasant surprises. I promise to do my best to find all expensive repairs.

I'm buying a home. When do I need to have the inspection done?
It depends on your buyer's contract. In Kentucky, most contracts give you 5-10 days after you sign the contract to have an inspection performed. Don't wait until the last minute—you want your inspection done as early as possible so you know what problems the home may have.

How soon will I be able to see After Hours Inspection Services home inspection report?
You can view it online within 24 hours of the inspection. You can view it anywhere, of course, so if you are out of town you won't have to wait to get it in the mail.

Can I be there during the inspection?
Yes, absolutely. I encourage you to be there if at all possible, since I can point out any problems to you immediately and show you where gas and water shut off valves are. I can also tell you how to save money on gas and electricity, and how to make your home more energy efficient.

What if I have a question about the home after I move in?
Keep my number handy, and I'll be happy to answer your questions. I've had past customers call me 5 years after I inspected their house with questions. I'm here to help you understand your investment and help you learn how to keep it in good repair.

Can my home "fail" the inspection?
No, houses aren't given a pass or fail. If there are any problems that need to be attended to, an inspection will give you a detailed report of these. You can choose to have a home re-inspected if there were significant problems at the time of the first inspection.

I think my home has some big problems. Should I wait to have it inspected until after I work on it?
It's up to you, but an inspection will show you what you need to fix most. Having it done first may help you avoid unnecessary expenditures. Many people spend a lot of money getting their homes ready to sell on things that don't really matter.

Can I have my home re-inspected?
Yes, absolutely. If you've fixed the problems, have me come by again. There is an additional fee, but it's much less than getting a whole new inspection. I also can do a yearly checkup of your new home at a reduced rate.

What are common problems with Kentucky real estate?
Our warm, relatively humid climate here makes perfect conditions for mold to grow. Every year, home owners and insurance companies spend over 2 billion dollars on repairs due to mold and water damage. Mold damage may be big issue, and it can grow in hidden areas—like behind walls from leaking pipes. I am certified to do mold testing, which will detect any airborne mold spores in a home.

I think there might be mold in my home. What do I do?
You're not alone. One study by Harvard showed that 50% of homes in the US have mold growing in them. If you are buying a home, or suspect mold growth in the home you're now living in, have a mold test performed and find out if what kind of mold you're dealing with before you tear out walls or do anything drastic.

What are common signs of mold growing in a house?
Signs of mold growth may include: a persistent musty smell, getting allergy symptoms, colds, respiratory symptoms, and sinus infections, stained walls, tiles, or surfaces (look for green-ish, brown, black, or yellow discolorations), peeling paint or wallpaper, leaking roof (will contribute to mold growth first in the attic and later to the whole house), warped wood on cabinets or windowsills, leaky pipes, high humidity in the home (above 55% humidity), or the appearance of mold on indoor or outdoor surfaces.

Are all home molds toxic (deadly)?
No. There are 3 types of mold: Toxigenic molds (which make many people sick), allergenic molds (which cause allergy symptoms in some people), and pathogenic molds (which are extremely dangerous, and can cause irreversible damage). If you suspect any mold growth or if you're purchasing a new home or property, have a mold test performed. Get the facts on your property and find out what kind of mold you're dealing with before you tear out walls or do anything drastic.

In which cities do you perform home inspections and small business inspections?
Lexington, Lenoxburg, Owenton, Corinth, Georgetown, Shelbyville, Midway, Frenchburg, Lawrenceburg, Keene, Wilmore, Richmond, Bardstown, Harrodsburg, Russell Springs, Clementsville, Bryantsville, Hustonville, Waynesburg, Kirksville, Brodhead, London, Kingston, Renfro Valley, Monterey, Minorsville, Millersburg, Paris, Frankfort, Winchester, Mount Eden, Stanton, McAfee, Irvine, St. Catharine, Lebanon, Liberty, Burgin, Junction City, McKinney, Somerset, Paintlick, Mount Vernon, Sand Gap, Stanton, Monticello, Cynthiana, Leesburg, Stamping Ground, Owingsville, North Middletown, Mount Sterling, Versailles, Mortonsville, Nicholasville, High Bridge, Willisburg, Springfield, Cambellsville, Gravel Switch, Danville, Moreland, Middlesburg, Stanford, Crab Orchard, Berea, and McKea KY.

For which counties in Kentucky do you perform home inspections and small business inspections?
Anderson, Boyle, Bourbon, Casey, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Madison, Mercer, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Scott, Shelby, Taylor, Washington, Woodford, Jessamine, Lincoln, Marion, Spencer, Owen, Harrison, Montgomery, Powell, Nicholas, and Estell counties.