Frequently Asked Questions

Home inspections vary in price based on factors like square footage, age, and whether it has a crawlspace and attic. Larger homes take longer and involve more work to inspect. So do older homes. Condos, townhouses, and small houses will cost around $400 as a base price, while homes over 2,000 square feet can cost upwards of $450. Be careful of the Inspection companies that charge low fees or try to do two or three a day. As they say, you get what you pay for and not knowing all of the facts puts you at risk when you are buying a home. Not knowing can cost you thousands of dollars.

It is always a good idea to test for harmful environmental issues such as Radon and both the EPA and The Tennessee Department of Environment suggest that you get a Radon Level Test. Middle Tennessee is rated as a Zone 1 Radon area which means it is likely that you will be exposed to harmful radiation in your home. Radon testing is normally $200 but when you bundle services we will discount the prices.

Don't forget to have the Swimming Pool Inspection done!  Swimming pools and spas are great fun but maintenance is essential for safety and cost control. Not knowing what you are buying before you close could cost you. No company in Middle Tennessee is better qualified to inspect your pool than BeSure1st. I have built many pools and know what the issues are and how to find them. Most pools can be thoroughly inspected for $200 and you will have the facts you need to make a wise purchase decision.

Also, beware of "quick-look" inspection companies that are trying to cram two or three inspections into a day. A good thorough inspection takes time and even with our state-of-the-art reporting software you will want more than the canned response narratives that are used by these quick-look companies.

Whatever you do...don't waive the inspection just to get the home. 

BeSure1st before you buy!

 It is the goal of the inspector to put a buyer in a better position to make decisions regarding the condition of the house they are considering for purchase. A well-informed purchase decision is a wise decision. A thorough home inspection can save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs.

The home inspector at BeSure1st conducts a 400 point examination of the home from the foundation to the roof as well as the lot and grounds and any outbuildings.  A home inspection is a visual assessment of a house's physical structure and mechanical systems, including the roof, ceilings, walls, floors, windows and doors.

The inspector will check that major appliances are functional, scrutinize the heating and air-conditioning system, examine the plumbing and electrical systems, including the hot water heater, and the water pressure in the home. The attic and roof structure will be checked for proper construction and any evidence of leaks or other issues presently occurring or having occurred in the past.

The roof will be physically examined by the inspector while on the roof unless it is deemed to be unsafe to do so. In those cases, an inspection will be conducted with a drone flyover or with gyroscopically stabilized binoculars either from the ground or from a ladder at the eaves.

The foundation and crawl space will be checked for water intrusion, displacement, and the presence of a proper vapor barrier. Small inaccessible areas are inspected with our robotic camera so we get a good look at every aspect of the foundation and crawlspace.

This is not a complete list of the items that will be checked. For a better idea of what is included in a Home Inspection check out our sample report at https://besure1st.com/sample-rpt or if you have more questions feel free to call or text me at 615-944-6999 and I will happily consult with you! 

 A home inspector should take several hours to complete a detailed walk-through of the home you’re looking to buy. Beware of the quick-look inspectors who try to cram in 2 or 3 inspections a day. If the Home Inspection company does not encourage you to join them then it is likely that they are more interested in your money than they are in providing you with a quality inspection.

An inspector who is doing a good job will take many pictures, a lot of notes, and if you have joined him he will take the time to explain where to find the key systems such as shut-off valves, GFCI Test/Resets, and will explain any issues he discovers so you will be able to correctly assess there impact on maintenance costs and functionality.

A home inspection will not evaluate whether your home is in complete compliance with current building codes but when a system is discovered to have been built prior to present-day codes the inspector at BeSure1st will inform you of the difference and advise you regarding the choice to upgrade or allow it to continue as a grandfathered item.

Safety issues are important to the home inspector. Any items tha have the potential for a safety hazard will be pointed out. Non-functioning GFCI receptacles, improper or loose guardrails, and trip hazards are just a few items that will be addressed in the report.

We will not comment on aesthetic issues unless it betrays a larger issue. A stain on the wall won't be pointed out unless it is determined to be due to a water leak for example. Worn carpets fall in the category, as well, unless they present a trip hazard.

I don't have X-ray vision so I won't be able to report on buried or hidden items. I will use Infrared Thermography however to help discover leaks, missing insulation in ceilings and walls, and overheating electrical breakers.

BeSure1st will provide you with an objective, unbiased opinion on the condition of the home-based on thirty years of residential construction experience and many many hours of training.

Before you buy, BeSure1st! 

The purchase of a home or commercial building is one of the largest single investments you’ll ever make. Since it’s such a big investment, you need to know the current condition of the property — as well as any repairs and maintenance that will be needed in the future.

A professional home inspection informs the homebuyer of the property’s condition. Things aren’t always as they seem. A fresh coat of paint might be hiding serious structural concerns. Stains on the ceiling may simply be the result of a resolved leak, or they could indicate chronic roof leakage and mold damage. There could even be extensive termite damage that compromises the integrity of the home. 

After evaluating the property, I will present my professional opinions on the property’s condition. This will give you a clear understanding of the home so you can make a confident decision.

If you’re selling your house, getting an inspection before you put your house on the market can help identify and remedy any potential concerns. Call BeSure1st at 615-944-6999 to schedule a home inspection, today. In addition to residential assessments, we also provide Radon Testing and HUD Foundation Certificates for Manufactured Homes.  

  Home Inspectors in Tennessee are required to be licensed by the state which means they must have had formal training by a State-approved instruction provider and they must have passed the National Home Inspectors Exam to be allowed to do business as an inspector. In addition, they must carry a minimum of $500,000.00 of General Liability Insurance and a current Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance policy.

These are merely the minimal requirements, though. A good inspector will also have extensive experience, numerous certifications, and continuing education.

Will at BeSure1st Home Inspections is certified by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). InterNACHI is the only certifying organization that is accredited by the Department of Education, but beyond the minimum, you can have confidence with the fact that he also has thirty years of residential construction experience and previously owned an engineering firm.

Will Carmichael also holds many other certifications including but not limited to, the following: 

Roof, Chimney & Fireplace Certified Inspector

Swimming Pools and Spa 

CertifiedLicensed Drone Pilot

Certified Analytical Service Provider for Radon Testing

Hud Foundation Inspections

Certified Infrared Thermographer

For a better idea of what is included in a Home Inspection check out our sample report at https://besure1st.com/sample-rpt or if you have more questions feel free to call or text me at 615-944-6999 and I will happily consult with you! 

 An inspection is not a pass-fail exam. No fixes are mandatory after a home inspection, though it may uncover issues that prompt further negotiations with the seller. Ultimately, the decision to buy or to negotiate price or repairs is up to you, not the inspector. Our job is to provide you with all the information you need about the condition of the home so you can make a wise decision. The pass/fail designation is a term realtors use to indicate that no negotiations will occur based on deficiencies found in the home. Most of us use the term take it or leave it.

You’ll learn much about the home and gain confidence in the decision to move into your new address — or find out enough to pass on the purchase.

The critical information will include recommended repairs and replacements, too. A good home inspection report is extensive but not technically exhaustive. It will contain narratives, summaries, photographs, and notes. It may estimate the remaining useful life of major systems and equipment, as well as that of the roof, structure, paint, and finishes.

When you receive your report you will know the age of the HVAC system, hot water heater, and the likely remaining life of your systems. You will have a better idea of future costs and whether the home needs imminent repairs or not.

Don't waive the inspection!

Before you buy, BeSure1st!