A home inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. Having a home inspected is like giving it a physical check-up. If problems or "symptoms" are found, the home inspector may recommend further evaluation and repair by a licensed specialist. Home inspectors do not perform any destructive testing.

The home inspection should take about 3 hours and the report will cover the visible condition of the home’s exterior; appliances; heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic, ventilation and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics outlines what you should expect to be covered and not covered in your home inspection report. We recommend that your review this document before your home inspection. For your convenience we have provided a link to the Standard of Practice PDF at the bottom of this page.

The inspection fee for a typical one-family house varies based on size and amenities, as does the cost of the house. Do not let cost be a factor in deciding whether or not to have a home inspection completed prior to closing. The sense of security and knowledge gained from an inspection is well worth the cost, and the lowest-priced inspection is not necessarily a bargain.

We inspect Condo's too! The fee for inspecting a condo is adjusted accordingly since the building exterior and structure are owned by the Condo Association in most cases. Review the Condo documents with your agent to verify what is and is not a common element.

Buying a home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing house before you buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will know more about the house, which will allow you to make decisions with confidence.

If you already are a homeowner, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs. If your home is covered by a builder's warranty it would be wise to re-inspect at the 11 month mark. Warranty Inspections must be completed before the builder's warranty expires. Don't wait until it's too late.

If you are planning to sell your home, a home inspection can give you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition. This will make the experience less stressful for people who are interested in purchasing your home.

We can inspect the property before you invest and help you manage properties currently in your portfolio by identifying the repairs and maintenance needed following a long term tenant’s departure. Tenants sometimes neglect to mention issues with a property during their tenancy. Identifying those problems early is the key to profitable ownership.

A Pre-Contract Consultation is commonly called a "Walk and Talk" or a "Walk Through". The consultation will take about an hour and will walk you through the major systems and components of the home for a fraction of the cost of a home inspection.

This service is very popular if you are looking at a "hot home" where you may find yourself in a competitive bidding situation. The best part is that half of the consultation fee will be applied to your home inspection if you secure the contract on the home.

We will compare the age of the appliances to their life expediencies but will not be testing any appliance, system or components of the home. Be prepared to take notes if you would like since this service does not include an inspection report.

A Pre-Contract Consultation is not a substitute for a home inspection.

Contact your real estate agent to ensure that we will have access to the property at the time of the inspection and that all utilities are on. If the utilities are disconnected then we will not be able to test the impacted components, systems and appliances.

No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. The seller of the home is not automatically required to repair any problems that the inspector finds. As the buyer, you and you agent can negotiate for the repairs that you feel are important to be made before you buy the home.

We print the inspection report on site and go over it with you to ensure that all of your questions and concerns have been answered. The report is then uploaded to the HomeGuage server where you can access it online once you receive your user information by email. Your inspection report will be archived digitally for 7 years for your convenience.

If you attend your inspection you will also receive a hard copy of the Home Guide which is a "How To" guide for the systems and components of your home. The Home Guide is a valuable resource for the first time homeowner.

This is the opportunity to verify that repairs have been completed as requested. This is a common practice when buying a newly constructed home or if problems were found during a routine home inspection. We recommend having all major repairs completed by the builder or seller re-inspected prior to closing. Sometimes it is as easy as having your inspector attend the final walk through.

In many cases, our inspector walks the roof but it depends on safety concerns, weather, accessibility, roofing material, and roof pitch.
If the roof is inaccessible or unsafe to walk on, we will inspect the roof from the eaves or ground (with binoculars) if necessary.

There is no requirement that a home buyer attend a home inspection, but it is advised. The inspector will show you how various systems operate and how to properly maintain them. You’ll also have a better understanding of the contents of the report if you are able to see it from our inspector’s perspective. Be aware that you assume all risk for yourself and your family once at the property.

Yes. If you have any questions about your home after the inspection is completed you can call your Inspector at (240) 608-2269. Our service does not end when the report is delivered. K4 Home Inspections, LLC does not charge any consultation fees for phone calls regarding your home or property.

Radon is a cancer causing, radioactive gas. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground and into your home through cracks, expansion joints and other holes in the foundation. You cannot see, smell, or taste radon which is why it is important to test for radon.

When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

For more information please visit www.epa.gov/radon