WHY USE SFHI?
Our inspection process has been designed to ensure you receive a thorough, easy to understand overview of the conditions of the home you are about to purchase or sell. Buying or selling a home is not something you do every day and we provide the information you need for peace of mind.
At Strong Foundations Home Inspection we are continually working to improve our knowledge and services in order to provide you with the absolute best possible inspection for our clients. We pride ourselves on honest, thorough inspections and unmatched availability to our clients, continuing to answer questions about the home long after the inspection is completed.
Over our years in the business, serving hundreds of buyers and sellers in the Puget Sound area, we have obtained a stellar record of reviews and have built strong relationships with real estate professionals. We have won numerous awards and industry recognition, including receiving the Angie's List "Super Service Award" for the past two years, being continually named a Home Advisor Top Rated Pro and Elite Service Provider, and we have been named one of the top Home Inspection companies for 2018 by Expertise.com.
Our business is built on referrals, so we take pride in knowing that our customers are given a positive inspection experience EVERY TIME.
When you become a client of Strong Foundations Home Inspection, you remain a client as long as you own your home! If you have a question, we will do our best to answer it or direct you to answers, even long after the inspection is completed. We have a strong network of professionals that we can refer for various projects, and we have a deep knowledge base of home maintenance and repair that we can draw on. Additionally, in most circumstances we are even willing to perform follow-up inspections at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. These are just some of the services that make us stand out - you won't find this kind of customer service everywhere!
What happens during an inspection?
We will show up at the home, usually a little early, and inspect the exterior and the roof of the building
Once the buyer arrives, we will quickly go over the basics of the inspection, the pre-inspection agreement, and the standards of practice. We will invite the buyer to follow us on our inspection, and encourage them to ask any and all questions they have about the home
We will move systematically through the home's interior, from the garage to the attic, kitchen, the bathrooms, the bedrooms, and all living spaces
We will finish the inspection in the crawl space or the basement (we'd rather wait to get dirty until we are done with the interior)
After we have inspected the entire property, we will go over our findings with the buyer in detail while completing our report
After the inspection is complete, we will finish our report and deliver by email within a couple hours in most circumstances
What Does a Typical Home Inspection Cover?
External Conditions & Surfaces
Roof, Attic, Insulation & Ventilation
Plumbing & Electrical Systems
Appliances
Heating & Cooling Systems
Foundations, Slabs & Floors
Walls & Ceilings
Garage, Walls & Driveway
Benefits of having an SFHI inspection
We assure the inspection of, and report on, over 400 items
We perform FREE thermal imaging inspections on every home
We guarantee that a detailed report will be delivered to you on the day of the inspection!
We point out major and minor deficiencies to give you the complete picture of your new home's condition
We identify any major expenditures coming up so you can budget these potential expenses
We identify any potential safety hazards present
We show you how various systems work and patiently answer any questions you may have about the home
We review and explain the conditions found
We provide free RecallChek services for each of our clients, ensuring that all appliances are in working order and free of safety defects
We offer a free home maintenance manual with every inspection
For more on RecallChek, please watch the following video, and feel free to call us with any additional questions:
Types of Inspections
Pre-Purchase (Buyer) Inspections
A home inspection is a visual process where all of the items typically used within a home are tested and/or operated to verify proper operation or installation. Doors and windows are opened and closed, roofing materials inspected, air-conditioning and heating systems operated. The Inspector will fill the sinks and tub(s), run the shower(s), and flush the toilets. As we perform the inspection we make notes on the condition and operation of the components tested. Upon completion a report will be given to you.
New Construction Inspections
New construction inspections are performed at the completion of construction, but prior to your final walk through with the Builder's Customer Service Representative or Superintendent. It is always a good idea to verify that utilities (gas, water, and electric) have been turned on, either by you or the Builder, depending on the Builder's policy. The inspection should be scheduled just a day or two before your final walk through with the Builder. This will ensure that most, if not all, last minute items have been completed prior to your inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection a completed report will be given to you.
Warranty Expiration Inspections
The majority of new homes sold today come with a builder's warranty. A comprehensive inspection prior to the warranty expiring can provide information that will enable the homeowner to provide documented evidence that repairs may be warranted. A "before the warranty runs out" inspection is conducted using the standards of practice used to inspect any home prior to purchase. You will be provided an inspection report listing, in detail, the items that need repair. The details, if necessary, will be supported by digital pictures that demonstrate to the builder exactly what is incorrect will be provided. You will be reassured knowing that potential problems were addressed before they grew into something that could cost you a great deal down the road.
Seller Certified Home Program (Pre-Listing Inspections)
Pre-Listing inspections are very good for the homeowner who may not be in tune with the condition of their home. A great many sales are cancelled due to the buyer's shock at the functional condition of the home. It may look great, but have serious technical, safety, or functional issues present without the owner's knowledge. Having the home inspected prior to placing it on the market is the ideal way to identify, and either repair or disclose, the issue found in the Inspection Report. Obviously, repairing the items would be the most beneficial towards completing the sale; however, there may be financial reasons why the owner can't make the repairs. Disclosing problems up front and pricing the home based upon that disclosure will often times produce a higher net sales price for the owner.
Benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection Include:
It allows the seller to see their home through the eyes of a neutral third party.
It alerts the seller to learn of safety issues before agents and visitors tour the home.
It may alert the seller to items of immediate concern, such as black mold or active termite infestation.
It permits the seller to make repairs ahead of time so that defects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later.
The seller will have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs themselves, if qualified.
It helps the seller to price the home realistically.
It may relieve prospective buyers’ concerns and suspicions.
It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
It reduces the seller’s liability by adding professional supporting documentation to the disclosure statement.
For more information and tips on selling your home, including the importance of a pre-listing inspection, download the free e-book, "How to Quickly Sell Your Home For More", courtesy of InterNACHI.
Investor Property Inspections
Includes Multi Unit Housing
Investor property inspections are performed prior to purchase as well as periodically during ownership. Pre-purchase inspections are performed to identify defects prior to taking ownership to negotiate repairs or price adjustments which reflect the condition of the property. Periodic inspections for properties currently in your portfolio would ensure the identification of needed repairs following, for example, a long term tenant's departure. Long-term tenants sometimes neglect to mention repairs and/or abuse the property during their tenancy. Identifying those problems early is the key to profitable ownership.
Homeowner/Safety Inspection & Maintenance Checkups
This is an inspection for homeowners who would like to gain a greater knowledge of their home’s current condition as well as any potential safety issues. Peace of mind in your own home is very important. Becoming aware of small problems before they grow into large ones can save thousands on repair costs over time. The best type of Home Inspection and preventative maintenance you can give to your home is a yearly Professional Homeowner/Safety Inspection & Maintenance Checkup. Don't wait until it's to late and too expensive. Give your home a safety and maintenance checkup today.
Vacant property walk-through
When a property sits vacant awaiting sale, a weekly or monthly walk through by a certified home inspector can provide piece of mind for both homeowners and agents. This is not a full inspection, but rather a brief visual check of the property to ensure that no problems have (or will) occur during its time of vacancy. Pricing is based on a weekly or monthly basis and will be prorated as such.
"Ensuring your future is built on a strong foundation."
