Who can do home inspections?

In the State of Tennessee you are required to be licensed in order to perform home inspections. You are also required to carry General Liability and E&O Insurance. Make sure to ask your inspector for their credentials to protect yourself and your investment.

How much does a home inspection cost?

The cost of a home inspection can vary depending on a few factors. Here are a few of those factors:

How active is the local real estate market?

How big is the home being inspected?

How old is the home?

Cost will vary over time but you can find out easily by calling or using online calculators like the one on our home page.

Do I need to be there with the home inspector?

The short answer is no. The home inspector can conduct the inspection without anyone present if need be. That being said, it’s a good idea to attend the inspection because it gives you the opportunity to ask questions or bring up concerns you might have. Its also an opportunity to spend extra time looking at the home and take measurements to make sure your couch will fit.

Who pays for the home inspection?

The buyer of a new or existing home is typically responsible for the home inspection, however it is becoming more common for sellers to have homes inspected to prepare thier home to be sold. In either case it is the responsibility of the person requesting the inspection. The inspection itself will take about 3 to 5 hours to complete and with Marathon Inspections LLC you can expect a finished report by the next business day.

Why do I need a home inspection?

The truth is you don’t have to get a home inspection in most cases but there is tremendous value in knowing the condition of the home your buying. A home inspection is a great way to find out if there are serious defects, safety issues, or maintenance concerns with the home your buying, as well as learning important things such as locations of gas and water shut offs. In many cases it also acts as a negotiating tool, and if the issues are serious it can save you from making a bad purchase.

What to expect during a home inspection?

If your home is being inspected you can expect the us to appear a few minutes before the appointment to begin the report on the outside. The inspector will take photos of everything, so put personal items away in drawers or storage bins. The inspector will be looking at all of the finishes including walls, ceilings, floors, and trim, as well as attached components like doors, windows, cabinets, and plumbing and electrical fixtures. They will need to look under vanities, and sinks to check the plumbing as well as run faucets, tubs, showers, and any other related fixtures. Be sure to empty the dishwasher and stove since they will run these as well. The easier it is to get to the areas to be inspected, the sooner they will leave your home.

How do I know I’m getting the best home inspection?

Fortunately here in Tennessee home inspectors are required not only to be licensed but also take part in continued education. That’s great news for you, the client, because it means whatever licensed inspector you hire has proven themselves capable. The best home inspector for you depends on your specific demands. Most inspectors have a background in some related field that makes them a specialist in some area. Look around and make sure your inspector understands your specific needs. Ask lots of questions and bring up your concerns to your inspector.

What are home inspectors not allowed to do?

A home inspection is a limited visual inspection. That means inspectors need to look for visual cues to find potential deficiencies without damaging the contents or finishes of the home. This excludes opening up walls, floors, access doors that are screwed shut, moving personal items, or entering potentially dangerous areas. It is also outside of the scope of work for inspectors to report on pools, spas, sprinkler systems, soil conditions, fences, sheds or other outbuildings. As an added service many inspectors will test for mold, asbestos, lead paint, radon, or wood destroying insects, but these are not part of a typical inspection and many require special training or certification so not all inspectors offer these services.