Service

Our Standard Home Inspections Include:

Structural and Mechanical Inspection – The structural and mechanical inspection includes a visual inspection of the foundation, plumbing, electrical, walls, doors and windows, attic, water heater, heating and cooling equipment and ducting among other things. Every accessible square foot of the house is inspected, including crawlspaces. Our inspection process includes a great deal of information about the condition of the following systems:

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
  • Foundations and Crawlspace
  • Grading and Drainage
  • Roof Covering Materials
  • Gutters and Downspouts
  • Roof Structures & Attics
  • Insulation and Ventilation
  • Interior Walls, Ceilings, Floors, & Doors
  • Exterior Walls, Doors, and Windows
  • Interior and Exterior Stairways
  • Fireplaces and Chimneys
  • Porches, Balconies, Decks, and Carports
  • Electrical Service Entrance and Panels
  • Electrical Branch Circuits, Connected Devices, and Fixtures
  • GFCI and AFCI Safety Breakers and Outlets
  • Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
  • Heating Equipment
  • Cooling Equipment
  • Duct Systems
  • Plumbing Systems
  • Water Heaters
  • Hydro-Massage Therapy Equipment (Spa Tubs)
BUILT IN APPLIANCES
  • Dishwasher
  • Food Waste Disposers
  • Range Hood and Exhaust Systems
  • Electric or Gas Ranges, Cooktops, and Ovens
  • Microwave Ovens
  • Mechanical Exhaust systems and Bathroom Heaters
  • Garage Door Operators
  • Dryer Exhaust Systems
  • Landscape Irrigation (Sprinkler) Systems
Additional Inspections (small additional fee)
  • Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Equipment
  • Outbuilding and Barns
  • Private Water Wells
  • Private Septic Systems
  • Termite Inspections

Buyer Home Inspections

When you are buying a home, make sure the house is inspected thoroughly by a licensed professional inspector from Semper Fi Home Inspections. Through a professional home inspection, you can find out about electrical problems, foundation problems, roof leaks, damage to roof materials/shingles, cracked or settled foundations, or improperly rewired electrical outlets, among many other costly issues – before you buy.  Our buyer home inspection services are designed to educate and provide valuable information about the condition of real estate before you make what could be, a lifelong family investment.  We intend to provide you, our customer, with Exceptional Home Inspection Services so you can understand your new homes’ condition through knowledgeable, courteous, and efficient service.

You as a home buyer will typically enter into a contract to purchase a home.  Then during your option period (usually about 7 days) you should call us to schedule a professional home inspection and get your report the same day so you will be informed about your new home’s condition.  You will then be armed with valuable information that could potentially save you thousands of dollars.

Seller or Listing Home Inspections

For Sellers, a Semper Fi home inspection gives you a powerful marketing tool to set your home apart.  We point out repairs that you may wish to make before you put your home up for sale.  Our evaluation and report provide the information you need to make full disclosure prior to sale.  A pre-sale home inspection can be your competitive edge when it comes to offering the buyer greater peace of mind.  Sell your home with confidence – Our mission is your peace of mind.

New Home Inspections (Construction/Phase)

A new home inspection, also known as a construction or phase inspection, is an invaluable service for anyone who is looking to have a reliable and non-biased professional opinion regarding the quality and installation practices being utilized on their new home during the building process.

The new home construction process can be an unexpectedly overwhelming process for anyone. Having a professional home inspector on call to help guide you through the home building process will absolutely bring value to your future purchase.

There are three opportunities available during the building cycle that are recommended to have your third-party inspector evaluate and report on the workmanship and construction of your new home. The standard 3 phase inspection process is utilized to ensure that major construction defects within your home are not covered up.

There is a market for these types of inspections for a reason. Additionally, most high-quality home builders fully welcome a third-party inspection. The new construction phase inspection is conducted at three separate times;

The first inspection should be conducted prior to your concrete being poured (Pre-pour Inspection)

We inspect the sizing, spacing, and support of the foundation rebar; proper depth of foundation and footers; post tension cable installation, etc.

The second inspection takes place prior to the interior walls and insulation being installed (Framing or pre drywall Inspection) A sampling of what we can inspect before the sheetrock and insulation cover some of these critical materials are window flashing, electrical wiring, and framing components, mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC inspection – basically anything that can be seen before the insulation and drywall are installed).

The final inspection takes place after the home is complete, usually around the time of your initial “Blue tape” walk-through (Final Inspection). The final inspection should be scheduled a few days to a week before your scheduled walk-through with your builder. This will ensure that the building process is near completion so systems can be inspected. Because this final inspection is conducted as part of a real estate transaction, it is regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission. This inspection incorporates all the major systems in the home and is the most time consuming of the 3 phases.

Pre-Warranty-Expiration Inspections

The Builder’s warranty usually lasts 1 to 2 years. Getting a thorough Semper Fi Home inspection before the warranty expires will reveal any defects before the cost is yours. If you find defects before the warranty expires, the builder may be responsible.  Many homeowners like to get this professional home inspection done around the 11th month after buying their home before their 1 year builder’s warranty expires for Peace of Mind.

Repair Verification Inspections (Re-Inspection)

This inspection is used to validate any requested repairs by you, the buyer, have been done properly by the seller prior to closing on the home.  Occasionally home buyers will request we come back out to Re-inspect and verify these repairs after they received our complete home inspection report and have requested some repairs be done to the home.  This inspection usually is scheduled for one hour and has a nominal fee, please call us for details and a quote.

Annual Maintenance Inspections

The annual maintenance inspection is for homeowners to do a thorough maintenance checkup inspection of their home or a rental home.  Landlords can use this inspection report to determine if any of the home’s systems need attention or repair to maintain their investment home’s value.

Sewer Camera Inspections

A general home inspection cannot determine the condition of the main sewer pipe, and problems can cost from $500 to $25,000 and up to repair, not to mention the damage that a sewer backup can cause on the inside of your home. Our inspector will insert a camera into the clean out of the main sewer pipe to view the interior of the pipe. Our sewer camera inspections uncover issues such as: tree root intrusions, sewer line failures, broken pipes, sags in pipeline, construction debris, and clogs of any kind. Visible problems, including photos and video, will be notated in your sewer camera inspection report, which will be issued the same day as the sewer camera inspection.

If you add one of our sewer camera inspections to your home inspection, our 90-day main sewer and water line warranty becomes a 12-month warranty, free!

Pool and Spa Inspections

If your new home has a swimming pool or spa, have it professionally inspected by adding this critical inspection to your order.  We can inspect swimming pools and spas for physical and mechanical operation and safety.  We will inspect the pool surface, skimmers, decking, and coping as well as the equipment (pumps, filters, heaters, blowers, etc.) for operation and any above ground plumbing leaks.  The pool lights and GFCI safety outlets will be tested as well as check for other safety features like gates and fences.

Termite and Wood Destroying Insect Inspections

Our inspectors are licensed technicians with the Texas Department of Agriculture, wood destroying insect specialists, able to perform termite and wood destroying insect (WDI) inspections at the same time as your home inspection.

This report identifies any previous or active wood destroying insect infestations discovered at the time of the inspection.  It also points out any conditions that are conducive for infestations and may include recommendations to correct the conducive conditions.

Well Inspections

A private water well system on your property should be inspected prior to your closing.  There are many issues that can face the homeowner or potential home buyers concerning water wells.

Many rural properties will have a water well system.  As a homeowner or potential buyer you should consider the health issues involved with all ground water systems.  The inspection will include the equipment and water pressure.  You can request just the well mechanical inspection or, as an added service and additional recommended precaution, you can request that we take a sample of the well water and send it to the lab for a coliform bacteria test for safety.  We will deliver the sample to the county laboratory for official testing and results will be emailed to you usually within a day or two after the inspection.   If the presence of bacteria is found during the test, the lab will include instructions as to how to remedy the situation along with your test results.  A professional inspection of the well is recommended along with a well water bacteria test to ensure your family’s safety.

Septic Inspections

You should get traditional septic systems and aerobic septic systems inspected.

Because of the potential repair/replacement costs involved, and because the system is buried and cannot be exhaustively inspected and tested, you want to do what you can to evaluate the condition of the septic system before you complete the purchase of the property.

Here’s what you can do to help the inspector if you request a septic inspection.  Ask About the Septic System – where is it, what’s installed, what’s the service and repair history and when it was last pumped out as regular pumpouts are an important part of septic system maintenance and septic system life preservation.

Here is what we can check during the septic inspection.  We will make a Visual Site Inspection for signs of trouble.  We will report the type of system – traditional or aerobic.  The septic tank and drain field should be far from wells and streams.  We will check for liquid waste that has made its way to the ground surface. This condition is unsanitary and indicates that the system is overloaded.  Traditional septic systems are almost completely buried and we will only be able to inspect for signs of trouble and observe the drain field and functional drain flow.  Areobic septic systems have above ground equipment that we can test such as some tank lid access, control and alarm, air pump, mechanical pump, and sprinklers that can be seen and observed.  For more information, a septic system contractor may be consulted.

Landscape Irrigation (Sprinkler) System Inspections

Many homes have landscape irrigation sprinkler systems to irrigate and water the lawn.  The irrigation system controller will be inspected and each sprinkler zone will be operated.  Any broken sprinkler heads and leaks found will be noted.  The backflow valve will be visually inspected for damage.  The findings of the inspection with photos of each zone during operation will be included in your home inspection report.

Outbuilding and Barn Inspections

Since we are your “One Stop Inspection Solution,” we can inspect almost any type of outbuilding, barn, detached garage, storage shed, workshop, and apartment or mother-in-law suite building, etc. that is on the property you are purchasing.  Just let us know when you call to schedule your home inspection what outbuildings you want inspected, and a brief description of what they are and size to determine the additional fee, and we will be happy to add them to the order and thoroughly inspect them for you.  Many times we find these “outbuildings” get neglected and are in need of some type of repair that you will definitely want to know about and be included in your report

Commercial Inspections

A commercial investor often hires an inspector whose responsibilities typically involve overseeing a variety of subcontractors. These subcontractors provide specialty inspection reports on building systems, such as HVAC, electrical, roofing, structure, and whatever else is called for in the Client/Inspector Contract. Although the Standards are available and extremely useful, the goal of a commercial inspection is to provide the client with the information they need to enter into transaction negotiations with as much power in their possession as possible.

Infrared Scan

A Thermal Infrared (IR) Camera scan of key areas of the home to uncover issues that may otherwise not be visible to the naked eye. Infrared (thermal imaging) is an advanced, non-invasive technology that allows our home inspector professional to show homeowners things about their homes that can’t be revealed using conventional inspection methods.  

*Infrared scan is limited and is not a complete scan of all surfaces in the home.

Gas Line Leak Check

Gas lines are vital for households: they power fireplaces, stoves, water heaters, and other appliances to keep you dry, warm, and comfortable all year long. However, your gas line also carries naturally volatile elements that can be dangerous if not handled properly. Time and use corrode gas lines, making them more susceptible to cracks and breaks. Our skilled team of inspectors has the training to locate gas leaks.

RecallChek

For Peace of Mind for your major appliances, RecallChek alerts you of any manufacturer recalls on the major appliances in your home. In the case any of your appliances have a recall, you will receive information on:
    1) the nature of the recall,
    2) where the product was sold,
    3) how to remedy the defect, and
    4) how to get the item repaired / replaced in most cases – absolutely FREE

Repair Estimate Report

A powerful negotiation tool that quickly turns your inspection report into an easy-to-read and incredibly accurate estimate of repairs. This allows you to save time, reduce stress, take control of your negotiations and get the best deal possible on your new home.