Frequently Asked Questions
About Home Inspections
Before you hire a home inspector, you may have questions. The following are most frequently asked questions we receive.
If your question isn’t covered here, please contact us.
What certifications do you hold?
Chad Sims, Shore Inspection Services owner, is a member of InterNACHI® which stands for International Association of Certified Home Inspectors®. He is a licensed home inspector by the state of Maryland.
Is it possible for a home or building to “fail” an inspection?
No. When we arrive for your inspection, we work with you to answer your questions and educate about the condition of your home. We especially focus on safety issues. Our report details a home’s major systems, so you can make a plan ahead of selling or purchasing a property. We can advise you about recommended repairs, maintenance tasks and safety issues we find. We can also give you more information about specialty inspections we offer.
What types of information is included on a home inspection report?
We follow InterNACHI® Residential Home Standards of Practice, which includes inspecting the following:
- Roof system
- Exterior
- Basement, foundation crawlspace and structure
- Heating
- Cooling
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Fireplace
- Attic, insulation and ventilation
- Doors, windows and interior
What types of home inspections do you perform?
Most people think of home inspections before they purchase a new home, but home inspections can be used for other reasons, too. Home inspections can performed on a home before you put it up for sale. These are called pre-listing home inspection. This type of inspection gives you important information you can use to address issues ahead of time, so they don’t become a point of negotiation later on.
A home inspection can also be done on a home that is under construction. It’s impossible for a building code inspector to catch every issue, so these home inspections are completed while a home is under construction and especially at the pre-drywall stage. They can give peace of mind and eliminate headaches later on.
What types of specialty inspections do you do?
Most home inspections cover all a home’s major systems including evaluating the exterior and interior structure, the roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC to name a few. Specialty inspections have a singular focus on one issue. We examine the functioning of pools, septic and sewer systems. We can also evaluate indoor air quality and well water quality. We can also look for the presence of lead paint, termites, mold, and Radon.
Can you be available for same-day inspections?
As a general rule, we require at least 24-hours notice. This makes it possible for us to have all the tools we need to be ready for your inspection. Depending on our workload, we can generally schedule an inspection the next day.
How long does a typical inspection take?
A home inspection can range between 2-4 hours. The time it takes to do an inspection depends on how large your home is.
Do I need to be on the property when the inspection takes place?
You do not need to be present for the inspection, but we encourage you to be there. This way we can answer questions as we go and explain what we see. This way the findings will not be surprising.
How long does it take to receive an inspection report?
An inspection report is often delivered the same day or next morning depending on when in the day the inspection occurred. Let us know if you are working with a specific deadline in mind.
Do you charge a travel fee?
We do not currently charge a travel fee. Call us if you have questions about pricing.
What types of payment do you accept?
Shore Inspection Services accepts cash, check and most major credit cards.
How can I make an appointment?
Call or text Shore Inspection Services at 410-476-8144 to make an appointment.
Why choose Shore Inspection Services?
A family-owned and run business, Shore Inspection Services, LLC, is owned by Home Inspector Chad Sims and serves the Eastern Shore of Maryland, including Annapolis, Easton and Montgomery County. Sims has been in the construction business most of his life and has developed a long knowledge about construction. He takes pride in helping each individual he works with learn more about their home, so they can feel comfortable and safe.
Where do you do home inspections?
We serve the Eastern Shore of Maryland including Anne Arundel, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. We also serve the following Maryland cities/towns: Annapolis, Arnold, Cambridge, Centreville, Chestertown, Crofton, Denton, Easton, Elkton, Federalsburg, Glen Burnie, Hurlock, Linthicum, Millersville, Ocean City, Odenton, Oxford, Pasadena, Princess Anne, Ridgely, St. Michaels, Salisbury, Severn, Severna Park, Snow Hill, Stevensville, Sudlersville, Trappe, and Westover.
