Northern VA Home Inspection

A Dogwood home inspection is what happens when a 20-year tradesman walks through your future house with a trained eye and and thermal camera. I’ll spend three to four hours on-site reading every system in the home – roof, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, appliances, insulation, drainage – and you’ll have a photo-rich digital report within 24 hours, often on the same day.

What’s Inspected

I follow the InterNACHI Standards of Practice, which means I look at every one of the following that is safely accessible:

• Exterior: siding, trim, flashing, caulking, drainage, grading, decks, porches, walkways
• Roof System: shingles, flashing, gutters, chimney, vents, skylights
• Structure: foundation, sill plates, floor system, framing, attic rafters and trusses, any signs of movement or moisture
• Electrical: service entrance, main panel, sub-panels, breakers, GFCI/AFCI protection, visible wiring, outlets sampled in every room
• Plumbing: supply and waste, water heater, fixtures, visible leaks, water pressure, shut-offs, 
• HVAC: heating and cooling systems, age, filter, condensate handling, distribution, thermostat function
• Interior: walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, stairs, railings, cabinets, signs of moisture
• Built-in appliances: stove, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal
• Insulation and ventilation: attic and crawlspace insulation, moisture, ventilation
• Garage: door operation, opener safety features, firewall integrity

What’s not inspected

Honest disclosure: no home inspection will discover every defect that might be present in a home. I can’t see behind walls, inside sealed systems, or underground. I won’t assess code compliance (that’s a code official’s job) or cosmetic preferences. What I catch is the stuff you can see with the right eyes, in the right places, and with the right tools.

How Much

Most Northern Virginia singe-family homes run $450-$650. Condos are less, large or historic homes are more. Call (540) 270-2501 for a firm, all-in quote – no gotchas.