Professional Certified Inspectors

What is the cost & time to perform a Home Inspection? It depends on the size and scope of the property to be inspected, but a typical breakdown would be as follows (please contact us with the address to get an exact price quote, we accept cash, check, Zelle or Venmo, payment is due at completion of the inspection): 

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Condominiums:                         Price                   Time to Perform

Studio                                     $300 - $375                   1 - 1.5 hours

1 Bedroom                              $350 - $425                   1 – 2 hours

2 Bedrooms                            $400 - $475                  1.5 – 2.5 hours          

3 Bedrooms                            $450 - $550                   2 – 3 hours          

4 Bedrooms                            $500 - $600                 2.5 – 3.5 hours   

       

Townhomes & Single Family Homes:                                

1-2 Bedrooms Home             $500 - $700                   2.5 – 3.5 hours          

3-4 Bedrooms Home             $600 - $900                  3 –  4 hours          

5-6 Bedrooms Home             $800 - $1200                 3.5 – 5 hours             

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What is a Home Inspector? A qualified Home Inspector examines and provides written information regarding the condition of the structure, systems and components of the inspected property at time of the inspection.  Illinois State law requires all Home Inspectors to be licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

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What is a Home Inspection? A Home Inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of a residential property, performed for a fee, designed to identify observed material defects within specific structure, components and systems visible at time of the inspection.  Systems include mechanicals, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.  The Home Inspection is performed to the Standards of Practices (SoP) set forth by the Illinois State Home Inspector License Act: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/068014100C02000R.html 

 

What is a Home Inspection Report? A Home Inspection report is a written summary of visible conditions of the structure, systems and components at time of the inspection.  An inspection report shall describe and identify the structure, systems and components, and shall identify any material defects observed.  The inspection report may list recommendations for repairs, replacements, corrections, monitoring or further evaluations via appropriately qualified contractors.  A material defect is any condition with significant adverse impact on the value of the property or produces an unreasonable risk to people.  The fact that a system or component is near, at, or beyond the end of its expected useful life is not a material defect. 

 

Is Virtue Inspections LLC licensed? Yes, we are fully licensed by the State of Illinois as an Inspection Entity (Virtue Inspections LLC #451.001161 Exp 11/30/22) and as an individual Home Inspector (Daniel Murphy #450.010923 Exp 11/30/22).  In addition Daniel Murphy is also a Certified Professional Inspector® trained by InterNACHI (the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors).  InterNACHI is the world's largest association of residential and commercial property inspectors.  All InterNACHI-Certified Professional Inspectors® are required to pass an Inspector Exam, follow a comprehensive Standards of Practice, abide by a strict Code of Ethics, and take accredited Continuing Education courses each year in order to maintain their membership in good standing.  These are all well beyond what is required by the State of Illinois and serve as additional in-depth training so that we can provide more detailed information regarding a home’s condition.

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Is a Home Inspection a home warranty? No, a Home Inspection does not include prediction of future conditions, nor offer any type of guarantee or warranty.  A Home Inspection will not reveal every problem that exists or could ever exist, but only the material defects visible at time of the inspection.  For example, defects can be concealed and only discovered during the renovations of the home which were not visible or accessible at time of the inspection, or mechanical's that were functional at time of the inspection can stop functioning unexpectedly and without warning, or changes in weather conditions can expose issues that were not visible or foreseeable during the inspection (i.e. ice damming only occurring during a significant snow storm in the winter, moisture intrusion only caused during a specific wind driven rain storm, etc.).  It is not logical that all issues be found in such a limited time frame, thus it is imperative to ask the seller for all information regarding any previous or ongoing issues, insurance claims (if any), scope of damages and repairs performed to alleviate previous issues (if any), etc. (sellers should disclose all known previous and current issues). The inspection is only a "snapshot" of the property on the date & time of the inspection.

 

Are there limitations to a Home Inspection? Yes, a Home Inspection is visually based and is not technically exhaustive.  The Home Inspector does not perform engineering, architectural, or any other job function that requires an occupational license (such as a licensed plumber or electrician).  Home Inspectors are generalist, not specialist.  The Inspector does not test or determine the adequacy of the structure, systems or components by using specialty equipment, measurements, calculations, testing, or analysis requiring specialized knowledge.  A licensed electrician with their specialized training and tools will be able to provide more detailed observations regarding the electrical system than a Home Inspector.  The specialist may even find additional issues that are beyond the scope of a Home Inspection.  This is why Inspectors refer issues observed during the inspection to be further evaluated via the specialists to determine the severity and potential costs associated with the issue. 

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What is included in a Home Inspection? The inspection WILL cover the following areas, systems & components when present, visible and readily accessible: heating, cooling (when exterior temp. is above 65 degrees), ventilation, plumbing, electrical, structural members & foundation, crawlspace, attic, insulation, exterior siding, exterior trim & flashing, exterior grading, walkways & driveway, roof, gutters & downspouts, porches, decks, patios, balconies, and attached/detached garages.  We will functionally test plumbing fixtures including sinks, tubs, showers, faucets, and toilets to verify proper operation, flow and drainage. Also we will functionally test the appliances & mechanical's, and a representative number of electrical outlets, lights, switches, cabinets, interior doors, windows and blinds to verify proper operation at the time of the inspection (these are limited functional tests due to time constraints of the inspection and do not replicate normal everyday use). 

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What is not included in a Home Inspection? A standard Home Inspection will not include the inspection, testing, or evaluation of the following systems and components (beyond the scope of a Home Inspection): EIFS siding, lightning arrestors, timers, remote & radio controls, security systems, intercom systems, sound systems including speakers, TV's, low-voltage sound & lighting systems, irrigation systems, health of trees & landscaping, fire suppression systems, smoke/CO detectors, exterior gas lines/grills, exterior & temporary heating/cooling systems, solar systems, green building systems & components, recreational facilities including pools, spas & saunas, play-sets, water quality, water filtration systems, well systems, septic systems, solid fuel burning appliances, central vacuum systems, safety glazing and systems/components inaccessible or disconnected at time of the inspection.  A Home Inspection also does not test or inspect for the presence of radon, mold/fungi, asbestos, lead paint or lead contamination, formaldehyde, fire retardants treatments, toxic or flammable materials, carbon monoxide, indoor air quality, electromagnetic radiation, water or soil contamination, underground storage tanks or any other environmental hazards or violations, nor test or inspect for presence of rodents, pests, termites or any other wood destroying organisms infestations and damages.

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How long will it take to receive the Inspection Report? You will receive the Inspection Report the same day as the inspection, the only exceptions would be for an inspection completed late in the evening or a large home, then you may receive the report the following day (you will be notified at the time of the inspection if there will be a delay).

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Can Home Inspectors offer Real Estate advice? No, Illinois State Law prohibits Home Inspectors from offering any real estate advice.  Please refer all question to your Real Estate Professional. 

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Does Virtue Inspections LLC offer estimates for costs of repairs? No, Home Inspectors are generalist, not specialist, we do not perform engineering, architectural, or any other job function that requires an occupational license (such as a licensed plumber or electrician).  A licensed electrician with their specialized training and tools will be able to provide more detailed observations than a Home Inspector.  The specialist may even find additional issues that are beyond the scope of a Home Inspection.  This is why Inspectors refer issues observed during the inspection to be further evaluated via the specialists to determine the severity of and potential costs associated with the issue.  Thus, it is highly advised to have all issues noted in the Inspection Report to be further evaluated before closing.  However, a good website for general cost estimates is www.homewyse.com

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Does Virtue Inspections LLC offer contractor referrals? No, we do not offer referrals to limit the appearance of conflicts of interests, but good resources are Home Adviser, Angie’s List and Yelp.  The main consideration is that all contractors should be properly qualified, licensed, insured and perform work to local building requirements.

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Is Virtue Inspections LLC insured & bonded? Yes, we are bonded and we do carry general liability and errors & omission insurance for the inspections we perform as an added protection for our inspectors and clients.  However this insurance is not a home warranty or home insurance policy.  A Home Inspection is designed to provide the client with as much information as possible to make an informed decision, but it is not designed to eliminate all risk and should not be considered a warranty, guarantee or an insurance policy of any type. 

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Is a Home Inspection the same as a Code Inspection? No, Home Inspectors are not Code Inspectors.  The inspection report may comment on and identify as problems systems, components and/or conditions which may violate building codes, but confirmation of compliance with any building codes or identification of any building code violations lies beyond the scope of a Home Inspection.  This information would have to be obtained from the local building and/or zoning department.  If you wish to ascertain the degree to which the home complies with any applicable building codes, you should schedule a building code compliance inspection.

 

Will you walk the roof of the home? Yes, if we have adequate accessibility and if the roof conditions are safe to walk.  We walk the large majority of the roofs of the homes we inspect, but unfortunately there are some that we cannot walk.  In these circumstances we will evaluated the roof from the ground with binoculars, through upper level windows and/or by observing from the roof edge with a ladder (if possible).  Following are a few examples that would prohibit us from walking a roof:

1. For safety, such as steep pitched roofs, or wet, snow and ice covered roofs 

2. For fragile roofing materials that can be damaged by walking on them (i.e. slate, wood shingles, clay tile, etc.)

However, there are some rare cases where we will not be able to walk or observe the roof.  For example, a multi-story home with a flat roof that does not have a rear deck or balcony to access the roof (requiring an 18’ or larger ladder).   For these scenarios, the services of a professional roofing contractor will needed and likely at an additional charge to the client.

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Is a Building Inspection included with a Condo Inspection? No, while we will do a general walk-around of the accessible areas on the exterior of a low-rise condo building and may even walk the roof if accessible, we do not perform a Building Inspection.  A full and thorough inspection of a building and the common elements, components & systems would require far more time and access than allowed during a standard residential Home Inspection, and the cost of such an inspection would be substantially higher.  The Inspector may mention issues observed in the common elements, components & systems of the building during the inspection, but these notes are only mentioned as an added benefit for the client, but should not be construed or interpreted as those areas being inspected.  The common elements, components & systems of the building such as exteriors, roof, structure, common areas, etc. are the responsibility of a Homeowner’s Association (HOA).  Thus it is advised to get all information from the HOA regarding condition of all common elements, components & systems of the building, the maintenance schedules, any current or ongoing issues or concerns, the expected remaining useful lives of the systems/components, reserves set-aside for future repairs & replacements, as well as past board minutes for any information regarding past, current, or future HOA issues or concerns such as special assessments.  High-rise building exteriors, roofs, etc. are excluded due to the complexities of the components & systems, thus these type of buildings will have full-time engineers and maintenance staff on-site.