Best Home Inspections 2024: Expert Picked

The expansive clay soil and contrasting droughts and downpours of the Dallas-Fort Worth area can cause the ground beneath a home to expand and contract over time, leading to foundation issues, both big and small. A careful foundation inspection considering environmental factors can reveal costly issues ahead of time, saving you time and money.
A good home inspector will begin with a visual inspection of your foundation, looking for large cracks. They’ll also look at the inside of your home – warped walls and floors or misaligned doors can point to foundation issues. If the space underneath the home is accessible, they’ll check it out, looking for visual cues on the structural integrity of your home. If your home has a crawlspace, include a crawl space inspection, as this is a crucial part of determining the health of a foundation.
Most likely, if your home inspector notices some concerning foundation issues, they’ll recommend a further evaluation by a licensed structural engineer. Foundation issues aren’t something to take lightly.
Scope of Inspection Services Offered
Not all home inspection companies provide the same services in an inspection, so it’s important to understand who offers what. Most home inspections cover an inspection of a home’s structural, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems, as well as its appliances. However, the inclusion of specialty services, like termite inspections, sewer scoping, and pool and spa inspections, vary from company to company.
Most Fort Worth home inspection companies offer a variety of inspections, rather than just a standard home inspection. These other services can include pre-listing inspections, warranty inspections, and repair verification inspections. While not as commonly needed as a regular home inspection, these services can be helpful for new-construction homes or homes that aren’t on the market yet.
Pricing and Fee Structure
Prices are typically based on the size and age of the home, as larger or older homes will take longer to inspect. However, new-build inspections can cost more than an inspection of a similarly sized home from the 1980s, as new construction inspections often take place in multiple phases throughout the construction of the home.
Other things that raise the price of a home inspection include additional features like pools, spas, sprinklers, and crawl spaces. These require extra time and expertise to inspect, hence the price hike. If you’re concerned about paying too much for a home inspection, try our budget pick, The Home Inspectors. Unlike many other picks on our list, it uses a flat fee for the inspection of a home under 3,000 sq. ft: it’s only $390, and sewer and crawl space inspections are included.
Use of Modern Technology and Tools
Today, home inspections involve more than a careful set of eyes and a notepad. “Modern technology has significantly enhanced the capabilities of home inspections, making them more thorough and efficient,” says MikePowell, owner of Red Flag Home Inspection. “Tools such as infrared cameras can reveal hidden issues like poor insulation, water leaks, and electrical hot spots that are invisible to the naked eye. Drones are used to inspect roofing and other hard-to-reach areas safely and thoroughly. Moisture meters help in detecting unseen water damage.”
Ask your home inspector if they use any of these tools in their inspections. If they’re not included, they may be available for an additional fee. Jay Gregg, director of franchise development at Pillar to Post Home Inspectors, says tech-savvy home inspectors are better than those who are not. “A good home inspector will always be aware of new technologies and be willing to incorporate them into their everyday job if it provides an enhanced experience for the customer.”
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