Premiere Home Inspections from Inspections by Bob

When you are in the process of buying a home, it is crucial to have information on the condition of the property so that you can make an informed purchase decision. It does not matter if the home is brand new or "vintage."

Inspections by Bob provides you with this important information.

Bob Sisson provides thorough, independent Home Inspections in central Maryland (Montgomery, Frederick, Howard and Carroll Counties). He is proud to be a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), and is an ASHI Certified Inspector. He is also a member of the Independent Home Inspectors of Maryland, and is licensed by the State of Maryland [link]. He also carries an “A” rating by the Better Business Bureau. To top it all off, he was awarded the 2009 “Super Service Award” from Angie’s List.

You might find a cheaper home inspection, but no other Home Inspector provides the level of service and attention to the clients' needs. A new home is the largest single purchase most people will ever make; trying to save a few pennies by hiring a cut-rate home inspector could lead to disastrous consequences. Inspections by Bob provides a level of service and additional value to home buyers; not a single client has ever stated that it was a waste of money.

Your Premiere Home Inspection will begin with a careful examination of the exterior of the property. Bob will examine the foundation, siding, gutters and roof, as well as the general condition of the property. He will inspect the doors and windows, as well as any other penetrations such as vents, exhausts and utility supplies (electric, telephone, cable TV, gas, etc.). He will also carefully examine the exterior for gaps that could allow insects or rodents to enter the home. In addition to the building itself, Bob will look at the property surrounding the house, checking for proper drainage, grading and the condition of any retaining walls. He will also examine any outbuildings on the property.

Once inside, Bob will proceed from room to room, examining every feature of the home. He will check outlets, switches, fixtures, interior doors, railings, and stairs. In every bathroom, he will check the toilets, sinks, tubs, showers and ventilation systems. He will inspect the heating and cooling systems, and the electrical system. He will examine all appliances. He will go into the unfinished spaces of the home, such as crawl spaces and attics, and check them for any problems. While he is checking the inside spaces, he will note whether any outside conditions could have affected the interior (such as staining or dampness in the basement, which could be related to exterior drainage issues).

Bob will also be looking for issues that could affect the energy usage of the home, as well as comfort issues: insufficient or improperly installed insulation, gaps around window frames and sashes or doorframes, and whether appliances are nearing the end of their effective lifespans.

During the inspection, Bob will take pictures where needed. For critical findings, Bob can print the pictures for you on-site; remaining pictures can be emailed to you within 24 hours.

Once Bob has completed his inspection, he will go over his findings with you, and present his report in a 16-section three ring binder that will become the foundation of your home's personal history. This report can also include a host of additional materials, such as safety brochures and informational flyers that are pertinent to his findings.

You are strongly encouraged to be present during the inspection, as it will give you the opportunity to ask questions about the property, and will also allow Bob to point out features of the home so you are familiar with them.

Because of the level of detail provided in our inspections, you can expect them to take longer. We usually allow a bit more than an hour per 1,000 square feet for the inspection itself, plus approximately 30-45 minutes to review the report with you and answer any questions you may have.  Houses that are crowded with a lot of stuff, or have major issues, can take significantly longer. Multiple attics and crawl spaces add time as well.

From crawl space to attic, once Bob has completed his inspection and presented his findings, you will be armed with the knowledge you need to make an informed purchase decision.

Read about Bob's qualifications as a Home Inspector

Booking your Home Inspection is quick and easy. You can access our on-line scheduling system, which will allow you to choose the date and time most convenient for you. This will also allow you to review and sign the service agreement, and even pay for your inspection with your credit card.

Optional Services

In addition to the comprehensive Home Inspection described above, we offer several optional services that can be added to your inspection.

RecallChek

Find out whether any of the appliances in the home have been subject to a recall. Bob will record the model numbers of all the installed appliances, which will be checked against a national database of over 195 million current recalls. The findings will be emailed to you, usually within 48 hours. Read more about RecallChek.

Property Fax Report

(Car Fax for your Home)

Are there any Insurance claims that will effect your insurance rates, or even deny you coverage?

This report contains a 5-year history of loss information for your home submitted for payment provided by insurance companies including contamination, earthquake, fire, flood, freezing water, liability, lightning, smoke, theft/burglary, vandalism, water and wind damage claims.  It contains claim information such as date of loss, type of loss, amounts paid and a description of property covered. Read More about PROPERT FAX Reports.

Radon

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly encourages homeowners to test for Radon, a colorless, odorless gas that has been linked to an increase in cancer. Bob can place test canisters during his inspection, which will be picked up within three days. Findings will be emailed directly to you. At this time, we are only able to provide Radon testing for homes in Montgomery County and Lower Frederick County.  Read More about RADON in Maryland   PS... Bob has seen a Radon reading as High as 44 recently, that is TEN TIMES the action limit.  We also have been told that many of the "pasive" systems installed in new Homes are ineffective.  Even NEW homes need testing.

Neighborhood Environmental Report

If you are relying on a WELL for your water, what goes on arround you affects your drinking water.  This report consolidates all of the various agencies reports about envirnmental hazzards near your home.  As these reports take time to compile they must be ordered ahead of time.  Read More about  Neighborhood Environmental Report™

If you have any questions regarding Home Inspections,
please feel free to give us a call!

(301) 208-8289