Residential Inspections

Our Residential Services

Congratulations – you’ve chosen a new home and it’s time to have it inspected!!

You’ve started at the right place – Over the past 30 years, Seagate Inspections, Inc. has earned the reputation of consistently providing easy-to-understand, professional, high-quality inspection reports. Click on the SAMPLE REPORT to see exactly what you can expect. Your experienced, professional inspector will put his findings into perspective so you can move forward with your transaction with confidence. We encourage you to attend your inspection if possible. This is a great time to learn and ask questions. Your report will be completed on-site and the inspector will email it to you on the spot! Any additional services that you have ordered will also be electronically delivered to you!

Learn More About:

Wood Destroying Insects

A typical homeowner's insurance policy does not cover destruction caused by termites, even though they cause over 1 billion dollars in damage to homes throughout the United States each year. It’s important that homeowners understand the threat of termites, and take the necessary steps to protect their homes. Other wood destroying insects are Wood-boring beetles, Wasps, Carpenter Ants and Carpenter Bees. Subterranean termites are extremely destructive. First they build tunnels to wooden structures, and then they burrow into those structures to obtain food. Any wood or cellulose-containing material constitutes termite food, and given time to do so, they’ll eat until nothing is left but a shell. Termites avoid light and air, so they build their colonies where you’re not likely to stumble upon them. On the off chance you do see them, remember that it’s easy to confuse termites with ants. Fortunately, there are features that distinguish them.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, invisible gas produced whenever any fossil fuel such as oil, gas, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Hundreds of people die each year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning, misadjusted or improperly used fossil fueled appliances. If these appliances are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is not hazardous. However, if these same appliances are not working properly or are installed and/or adjusted incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result that may not be known by simply sampling the indoor air of the building.

Radon Gas

There is no safe level of radon -- any exposure poses some risk of cancer. In two 1999 reports, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concluded after an exhaustive review that radon in indoor air is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoking. The NAS estimated that 15,000-22,000 Americans die every year from radon-related lung cancer. You cannot see, feel, smell, or taste radon. Testing your home is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing for radon in all rooms below the third floor.

Infrared Inspection

We provide a thorough scan of the home including walls, ceilings, and floors. The infrared camera shows thermal variations which provide us with crucial information that could range from energy loss and electrical problems to water damage, roof and pipe leaks, presence of fungi, damage from pest and rodent infestation, and potential structural defects.

Mold and Air Quality

We offer air quality testing with full laboratory analysis for mold and other biological particles. Indoor Air Quality Testing is very important for families with children with asthma or people with mold allergies or a history of mold related illnesses. As an independent third party inspection firm, you can rest assured knowing that your inspection will be performed by a non-biased Certified Mold Inspector.

If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, or the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold, consult the EPA's Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout your home.

If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.

Pre-Purchase Inspection for Buyers

In both new and older homes, the best way to ensure that you are well informed about the strengths and weaknesses of a property is to have us give you a professional home inspection. We are trained to identify problem areas both small and large that may have been overlooked by the previous owners and to identify which require immediate attention.

Pre-Listing Inspection for Sellers

Whether you are selling your home on your own or using a Realtor®, it’s always a great idea to have a professional home inspection. Knowledge is power. All homes have strengths and weaknesses: we help you evaluate your home and decide which issues, if any, may require immediate attention and which issues can wait. The more you know about your home, the more prepared you will be for negotiation. See our Inspection Overview for more details.

New Construction Inspection

Building a new home is quite an undertaking, even for the builder as there are so many facets of construction to oversee. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for there to be small but important details that were overlooked and rarely, but in some cases there can be some significant deficiencies that have gotten by everyone involved in the building of that home. Buyers can have independent reviews of their properties during various stages of the construction process including foundation, frame, and final inspection. This relatively inexpensive inspection protects your purchase, prevents unpleasant surprises, and helps to assure the quality home that you’ve dreamed about.