Home Inspection FAQs

A home inspection is widely recognized as a non-invasive, visual examination of a residential property’s systems and components, performed for a fee.  

In Georgia, there are currently no licensing requirements for home inspectors. However, there are state-mandated regulations for home inspectors. Georgia Code § 8-3-330 (enacted in 1994) defines a "home inspector’’ in Georgia as anyone who, for consideration, inspects and reports on the condition of residential dwellings (including structure, systems, and components) for a prospective buyer or seller. The Georgia Code states that every home inspector shall provide to the person on whose behalf a home or single-family dwelling is being inspected a written document specifying: (1) The scope of the inspection, including those structural elements, systems, and subsystems to be inspected; (2) That the inspection is a visual inspection; and (3)That the home inspector will notify in writing the person on whose behalf such inspection is being made of any material defects noted during the inspection, along with any recommendation that certain experts be retained to determine the extent and corrective action necessary for such defects. 

We have been performing home inspections locally for over 22 years. In addition to being a certified home inspector and membership through InterNACHI InterNACHI Certified Home Inspector We are Certified Master Inspectors (CMI®) Certified Master Inspector and an ASHI certified home inspector ASHI Certified Home Inspector. We are also certified radon air testers, certified level 1 thermographers, members of the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association, have local business licenses, and carry professional insurance. 

Not all home inspectors and home inspections are equal. We’ve seen firsthand many home inspectors in Atlanta and North Georgia who offer inspections as a part-time gig, enter the profession after a career retirement, are subcontracted out by a larger firm, do it part-time, or are inexperienced. Many associations and schools advertise how easy and lucrative inspecting can be. We also know from firsthand experience that most do not survive or remain in business after just a few years.

Superior Home Inspections performs home inspections in accordance with the InterNACHI Residential SOP and InterNACHI® Code of Ethics.

Buyers and sellers. If you're buying a home, pre-owned or new, an inspection will tell you about the property's condition. That way, there are no significant surprises after you close on the home.  

Yes! A professional inspection of a new home is important. Usually, you still have reasonable leverage to have the builder remedy any deficiencies, safety concerns, or issues observed during the home inspection. If you purchased a new construction home and it still has a builder's warranty (usually 12 months), it's a good idea to have a home inspection before it expires. It's very rare for a new construction home not to have some problems overlooked by the builder. Those repairs or corrections can easily exceed the cost of a home inspection. If you catch them before the warranty expires, they should be covered under your warranty. 

A pre-drywall home inspection is typically conducted at a stage when most exterior components are installed, such as the roof covering, siding/cladding, doors, and windows. It is referred to as the ‘dried-in’ stage.

Additionally, most of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural framing, along with the envelope insulation, is complete. I can spot potential problems early, while they are easier to correct. I may find problem areas where the builder has taken shortcuts or failed to do quality work. At this stage, none of the interior finish work is complete, and drywall has not yet been installed. 

We begin by carefully inspecting the property's exterior. All exterior features of the property will be inspected: foundation and infrastructure; decks & porches; roof; windows; doors; siding; chimney; driveways; and drainage systems. Next is the interior. I usually work through the building in a logical sequence, one room and one floor at a time. All walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and HVAC vent conditions will be noted throughout the home. Hard-wired kitchen appliances, bath fixtures, and electrical outlets will all be tested. We'll also check the ceiling fans and report whether smoke detectors are present. Once the detailed interior and exterior checks are complete, I'll perform a thorough evaluation of the house's plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling, water heater, and attic ventilation systems.  

Yes, absolutely! We encourage all of our clients to attend if possible. Attending is a great opportunity to learn about your property and its features. During the inspection, I'll answer any questions you have. You'll be surprised at what you learn, and being present for the inspection will help you visualize all the items in the report. If you have specific concerns about the property, please let me know.  

We do understand that sometimes it’s not possible to attend due to circumstances. You will receive the same excellent service, inspection, and report regardless of whether you can attend the inspection.   

Anywhere from two to four hours, depending on some factors such as; the condition of the property, the number of services you've requested, the type of home, and the size of the home. It takes time to inspect the entire property thoroughly, and I pay close attention to the details. 

A. Once the exact day and time for the home inspection is scheduled, either you or we can reach out to your realtor for access instructions. Typically, if the home is listed through a Realty company, there will be a lockbox and it is managed or controlled through GAMLS/FLMS Supra. Your realtor can then request a call before showing access code through the listing agent.

Sometimes the selling realtors want to be present or the listing agent requested they be present for the home inspection. If the home is a for sale by owner (FSBO) then you would need to contact the owner and arrange for access instructions. Sometimes banks, investors, new construction, or assessment management owned properties just use a standard lockbox with a digit or numeric code. Either way, coordinating access is usually easy.

We do not offer any home warranty. We feel it is best to leave home warranties to businesses that are licensed and regulated to offer such coverage. For example, popular home warranty companies are American Home Shield or 2-10 Buyers Home Warranty.  It’s the same with homeowners’ insurance: we do not offer it and feel it’s best to purchase coverage through a business that is licensed and regulated to offer that service.   

These are known as wood-destroying insects and wood-destroying organisms (WDI/WDO) inspections. We are not licensed pest contractors in the state of Georgia. However, if we visually observe readily visible wood-destroying insects or organisms such as powder post beetles, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, termites, or visible microbial/fungal type substance/growth, we will document those findings in the report and offer further recommendations for evaluation, testing, corrections, or remediation by an appropriate licensed professional or specialist. 

You'll receive your report via e-mail as a .pdf file, which you can read on screen or print. The file can be saved to your PC's hard drive for future reference or easily printed. I provide digital photos of any areas that need additional clarification and include them in the report. All deficiencies and concerns are documented in the report in a narrative format. Every item I inspect on the property is addressed in the report. 

Yes. Your realtor can assist you in determining if any items in the report are significant enough to warrant re-negotiation with the seller. Having your realtor review the report also ensures that you and your realtor are "on the same page" at closing. 

Yes! I will be happy to assist you however I can in clarifying the information I present in the report. Even after you've moved in and settled down to enjoy your new home. I'm always available to you, for as long as you own the home, to offer unbiased advice and recommendations. 

The code of ethics of The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) prohibits its members from soliciting repair work on property’s they inspect. This ensures that there will never be any conflict of interest on the part of the inspector. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased report. 

 We recommend obtaining estimates from at least 2 local, qualified, licensed contractors to remedy deficiencies or concerns documented during the home inspection.  
  
Some home inspectors offer repair estimates based on AI algorithms or generic databases, pulled from report photos or other sources. We find these repair cost estimates are inaccurate, generic, and vague. Ultimately, these estimates are not useful.  

Here at Superior Home Inspections, home inspections start at $425, and the average ranges from $425 to $850 for most homes. We find other reputable home inspection firms in the Atlanta and North Georgia price their home inspections in the $350-$850 range for most homes. Larger homes or more complex properties will likely have higher inspection costs.  For example, a small 1- or 2-bedroom five-year-old home under 1,100 square feet with a slab foundation, Superior Home Inspections would charge $425 for a standard home inspection.  Home inspection fees will be determined by several factors such as -larger custom-built homes, homes with foundations like crawlspaces or basements, older homes, historical homes, or homes with additional structures such as detached garages, accessory dwelling units, and storage buildings. Obtaining a quote for your home inspection is always free. Please call us at (678) 410-3005 or use the ‘’Inspection Request form” to inquire about your free quote! 

Here at Superior Home Inspections, radon air testing costs $175-$225 for homes with a lowest-level floor square footage of less than 2,000 square feet. Usually, this means testing at the basement level or slab floor level of the home.  

Yes. Thermal imaging is one of the many tools we use during our inspections to help identify potential issues that may not be visible to the naked eye. However, it is just one component of a comprehensive evaluation and is always used in conjunction with proven inspection methods and experience. We are Level 1-certified thermographers who have completed specialized accredited training in infrared technology. 

Generally, we attempt to traverse every roof provided it is safe to do so. We always carry at least 20-foot extension ladders to access the roof or roof edge.  We also utilize other methods as needed to complete a comprehensive evaluation, including binoculars, a vantage point from the ladder at the eaves, and aerial drone surveys.  

Probably the biggest item is moisture. Whether it’s leaks at the roof, building envelope, windows, or doors, by far water intrusion is the thing that causes the most issues. 

Yes. Accurate reporting is critical. Our reports are produced with great confidence and proven reliability. This will give you the confidence you need to make an informed decision and help mitigate risks.  You can view a sample report here.

Yes! We are thrilled to have the opportunity to give back.  Just provide us with documentation, such as a veteran benefits card or ID, and we will apply a 5% discount to the base home inspection fee or other services you may choose to schedule.  

You can call us at (678) 410-3005. We would love to speak to you. Or, use the Inspection Request form »

We offer online secure credit card payments, cash, cashiers check, money order, ACH, and personal or business checks. All fees are due before or at the time of inspection. Credit cards will incur an additional 3.5% transaction fee.