Do You Need a Home Inspection?

Congratulations, you have finally found your dream house, the building you have been seeking, or the condo unit you want.  There are a few questions you should ask yourself.  The first question is do you need a home inspection?  Yes, You need an Inspection!  The second question is Who should perform the inspection?

	If you can answer yes to any of these questions, call a licensed Professional Engineer:
	Do you want  to prevent  your child from growing up in a "broken home?"
	Have you fallen in love with a house you have seen?
	Are you buying the house As Is?
	Has anyone told you who should inspect your house?
	Has someone you know offered to look at the house for you?
	Have you seen something in the house that concerns you?
	Are you concerned about environmental issues?
	Is the house priced below others in the same neighborhood?
	Is the house a foreclosure?
	Do you want Peace of Mind?

Question:  Do you want want to prevent your child from growing up in a "broken home?"

Answer:  Heimer Engineering will examine the house or building and determine what is "broken" and the severity of the defects present.  Some problems are cosmetic, while others are significant.  The Engineer will prioritize the need for repair of the defects found, including a cost analysis in the engineering report.

Question:  Have you fallen in love with a house you have seen?

Answer:  People say "love is blind."  This is why you need an unbiased Engineer to inspect the house or building.  Heimer Engineering will take a good look at the building for you, and give you the information you need to make a decision.  Where appropriate, this information will include an expense analysis in the engineering report to help you understand the information provided.

Question:  Are you buying the house AS IS? Answer:  When real estate is sold AS IS, it may mean there are serious problems wrapped up in the AS IS label.  AS IS is a home buying trap you do not want to be caught in.  Heimer Engineering's Engineers tell you what AS IS really is. AS IS has killed the joy of moving to a new home.  AS IS has killed the spirit of many first time home buyers.  Don’t be caught by the AS IS home buying trap waiting to snare you.  Have a licensed Professional Engineers tell you, in an engineering report with a expense analysis, what AS IS really means.

Move the cursor over the picture to see what this AS IS house really is.

Question:  Has anyone told you who should inspect your house?

Answer:  Make sure that you were referred to an experienced licensed Professional Engineer or a Registered Architect.  Click here for more information on online license verification.  Also make sure that the Engineer’s experience is in pre-purchase home inspections and building inspections.  It is foolish to trust someone who has little building evaluation experience.  An Engineer lacking experience in pre-purchase inspections cannot give you the building evaluation experience you need.  Also look for detailed engineering reports containing cost estimates.

Question:  Has someone you know offered to look at the house for you?

Answer:  If the person is a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, and is experienced in pre-purchase house and building inspections, their services might be fine.  A licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect without experience in pre-purchase inspections does not have the experience to provide the in-depth services that Heimer Engineering provides.  Do you want to trust the judgment of someone who has little building evaluation experience?

Question:  Have you seen something in the house that concerns you?

Answer:  Heimer Engineering's licensed Professional Engineers provide accurate advice based on the condition of the house.  The engineering report including an expense analysis helps you make an informed decision.

Question:  Are you concerned about environmental issues?

Answer:  Environmental issues are real.   A house or building may have asbestos, lead paint, an oil tank, or concerns about radon gas.  Commercial buildings may require a phase I environmental survey.  You need to know about environmental concerns that affect your house or building.  Heimer Engineering will alert you to potential environmental issues affecting building buyers.  For more information, go to the environmental section of this web site.

Question:  Is the house priced below others in the same neighborhood?

Answer:  If you found a house or building that is priced below others in the same neighborhood, you must find out why there is a discrepancy.  There may be a serious defect.  Knowing about the defects could save you a lot of money and headaches.  Heimer Engineering will alert you to serious defects.  You are also provided with an expense analysis in the engineering report.  It does little good to know a defect exists if you do not also know the costs involved in correcting the defect.

Question:  Is the house a foreclosure?

Answer:  Foreclosure houses are often in a state of disrepair.  The previous occupant may not have performed needed maintenance or repairs.  An Engineer can assess this, and provide an expense analysis in an engineering report.  This helps you make an informed decision.

Question:  Do you want peace of mind?

Answer:  Many prospective purchasers have 10 days or less to have a home or building inspected.  This gives you little time to select an engineer to inspect the house or building.  Heimer Engineering has performed over 80,000 inspections over the last 40 years.  You will be comfortable with your choice of engineer when you call Heimer Engineering, P.C.