Hawkeye Property Inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the typical inspection take?
It will take approximately three hours on site to inspect a newer 2500 square foot house that has a two car garage and a crawl space. A smaller house will take less time and larger or older homes will take more time to properly inspect. The total time for the inspection, travel time, reporting and follow up correspondence is usually six to seven hours.

What kind or report do I receive and when do I receive it?
The report will be a web based report that is written to adhere to the ASHI Standards of Practice. A website link to access the report will be emailed to you no later than 24 hours from the time of the inspection. Often times I can provide the report much sooner than that. The report findings are summarized at the beginning of the report. Digital pictures are included to help illustrate the inspection findings and the information is presented in a clear and concise manner. Icons are used throughout the report to identify areas of concern in regards to safety, maintenance issues, minor defects, etc. The report is kept indefinitely on a server and can be viewed or printed at any time that it is needed. Helpful links to other websites are also included in some sections of the report to provide the client with more detailed information where necessary.

Do I need to be present for the inspection?
The client is encouraged to attend the inspection although it is not required. Having the inspector explain the findings during the inspection gives a great visual reinforcement of the written report. An inspection agreement that adheres to the ASHI Standards of Practice must be read, signed and returned to me before the start of the inspection due to insurance requirements. My inspection reports are detailed, so if you can not make it to the inspection do not worry about missing anything, I will make sure that all information is in the report and clearly explained. I will also be there for any questions at any time after I complete the inspection. You can call me anytime and I will be happy to answer your questions or concerns.

What do I need to do before the day of the inspection?

Arrange access to the property and ensure utilities are on.
If paying by credit card make arrangements with inspector to do so.
Inspections can not be performed without a signed agreement. Provide signed inspection agreement via fax or email if not planning to attend the inspection personally.

Information needed to schedule the inspection and set the fee:

property address
age of the house
heated square footage
general condition of the house
Will house be vacant or occupied during the inspection?

Things to bring with you to the inspection:
The inspection fee should be brought in the form of check or cash. Credit card payment can also be arranged in advance if necessary. Keys to the house will also be needed in some cases.

If the house is vacant and the utilities (electrical, gas, water) are not turned on, how does this affect the inspection?
It is recommended to have the utilities turned on and the gas appliance pilot lights on also. If this is not done the inspector will inspect all of the items as fully as is possible within the scope of the agreement.

Should the septic system be inspected with the house?
I do not inspect septic systems. This should be done by a company that specializes in this type of work. I do recommend that it be determined when the tank was last pumped and if necessary have a reputable, qualified company pump and inspect the system. I do not recommend flushing large volumes of water into the system to test as some inspectors will do. The system is not designed for this type of usage and it is actually bad for the system.

Can you help obtain a termite report ?
I do not currently perform termite inspections but can provide a contact for this service if requested.

Do you perform radon testing?
I do not currently perform radon or environmental testing. Accurate radon testing requires the proper equipment and specialized training in order to adhere to accepted test standards and EPD requirements. I can provide a contact for a reputable company that specializes in environmental testing upon request. Please see the Useful Information page on this website for helpful information about radon and other home concerns.

Hawkeye Property Inspections
2120 Country Ridge Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004