Compare Home Inspection Companies

We know you have a choice in home inspections.

We, at Chicagoland, want to give home owners the peace of mind that comes from knowing their home has been inspected using the best equipment, by skilled professionals who are committed and passionate about their work.  We also provide the best warranties should that unpleasant surprise happen.

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Below explains why, and how we provide the best service.

• Service

  • How many inspections does your inspector schedule a day? – We only allow our inspectors to perform one inspection per day. Our inspectors take their time with your home, using specialized equipment to ensure a thorough assessment.  Typically we spend about three hours on a house.  Condos in high rises are shorter because there are items such as the roof, exterior, structure and common areas that are not included in the inspection of a condominium.  Then it takes us about another two, to three hours to document the items in the report.  Add in driving time to and from the inspection, there is your 8 hour day.  Since this is our full-time job, we want our inspectors home with their families and do not perform inspections in the evenings. Many inspectors will do 2 to 3 inspections a day.  That usually means they will spend 1 to 2 hours at your property.  They need to move fast so they can get to the next job.
  • How many Google reviews does inspector have? Star Rating? – When every report is emailed we will send a link to our client to review us on Google and Yelp.  We like these reviews because they cannot be manufactured, or made up.  We provide links to see our reviews in advance.  This is our way to judge ourselves and our inspectors.  Click on the Google and Yelp links to the right to view our ratings.
  • What forms of payment are accepted? – We accept credit cards via secured gateway, checks, and cash.

• Standards of Practice

  • Does inspector walk on roofs? – Our inspectors make every attempt to walk on a roof.  It is just the best way to inspect it.  However, sometimes it is not an option.  Height, slope, snow, winds, and rain can make going on the roof dangerous.  If the inspector cannot walk on the roof we will take a series of high-resolution pictures from different angles so our inspectors can document the conditions.  We have staff on hand with Remote Pilot Certificate Part 107 from the FAA.  This is the certificate required for anyone using drones for commercial use.  Our drone is equipt with a 4K camera which allows us to take the clearest shots available.  If we cannot fly, then we have pole mounted cameras that will also take high-resolution photos.  We will do what we can to get the best pictures of the roof.  If we find the roof leak free, we place a five-year warranty on the roof.  Please click on the Platinum Roof Protection Plan to get the complete details.
  • Does inspector use a thermal imager? – Our inspectors use FLIR thermal imaging cameras on every inspection.  Our cameras have MSX technology and side by side (or picture in picture) photos.  We scan the exterior shell of the home, under bathrooms and kitchens when the water is running, and the electrical panel.   If water is entering the building at the time of the inspection, our tools help us find it.
  • Does inspector use a combustion analyzer on the gas furnace? – When most inspectors turn on the furnace, they see if it produces heat.  We go a few steps further.  We use the Testo-310 Combustion Analyzer to record the temperature of the gasses going up the vent, the amount of carbon monoxide going up the vent and it will also determine the efficiency that the furnace is operating.  When there is a crack or hole in the heat exchanger, the system then recognizes the changes in the combustion gasses.  These changes in combustion gasses usually indicate a new furnace is needed.
  • Does inspector use a gas detector on all inspections? – Most home inspectors only use the gas detector when they smell gas.  We bring it out on every inspection and test the joints are out in the open.  We cannot check for pipes that are behind drywall, but we will at least check the pipes that are out in the open.
  • Does inspector use a black light on every inspection? – I can’t tell you how many times we find urine from pets, or humans, around the house.  You don’t know if you don’t look.  So yes, every inspector carries a black light and will use it on all inspections.
  • Does inspector use a moisture meter? – We scan exterior walls, exterior ceilings, ceilings under bathrooms, and ceilings under kitchens.  If we find cold spots, we will place the moisture meter in that location.  We will record the readings in the report.  Our goal is to not give you more guessing but to be definitive on if the problem is there or not.  An example would be if the roof was leaking and we saw stains in the drywall.  If it rained recently and the area is dry, we can safely say that it was repaired.  If moisture is there, well, then it wasn’t.
  • How many windows does the inspector test? – The State of Illinois uses the term “Representative Sample”.  This means one per room.  Many inspectors only do the minimum of one per room.  This is not acceptable for us.  Windows are too expensive.  Each one needs to be tested and documented if it doesn’t work correctly.  There are limitations, however.  If there is a china cabinet in front of the window, we will not move the cabinet.  If we can reach it, we will open it.
  • How many outlets does the inspector test? – The State of Illinois uses the term “Representative Sample”.  This means one per room.  Many inspectors only do the minimum of one per room.  This is not acceptable for us.  Improperly wired outlets can be dangerous and you need to know how many are wired incorrectly.  Each one needs to be tested and documented if it doesn’t work correctly.  There are limitations, however.  If there is furniture front of the outlet, we will not move the furniture.  If we can reach it, we will test it.
  • Does inspector check for recalls on appliances? – We document the furnace, air conditioner, water heater, garage door opener, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and any other appliance with a model number and a serial number.  The company that we use checks these appliances to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) on a monthly basis.  Our clients are allowed to change these appliances at any time they wish.  They can also add to the list if they buy additional items.  The best is that there is no extra cost.  Roughly 10% of the inspections that we do have appliance recalls.
  • Does inspector provide videos and photos in the report? – Most inspectors provide photos in the report, but we take it to the next step.  Items making sounds, loose items, or drone flyovers are the types of videos that we put in our report.  Please go to our YouTube Channel and subscribe to see things we find during our inspections.

• Business Assurances

  • Does inspector carry Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance? – I can’t stress how important this one is.  The State of Illinois does NOT require home inspectors to carry E&O Insurance.  Over 80% of home inspectors do NOT carry E&O Insurance. This insurance is not designed to protect you.  It is designed to protect the home inspector.  The insurance company does not just payout.  This type of insurance is in case the inspector misses something bad enough to cause you to sue him/her.  But if that something bad does happen, you want to be sure someone with deep pockets is there to fork over the money.
  • Does inspector carry General Liability Insurance? – Another big one.  We are entering other peoples homes, climbing on their roofs, starting furnaces, flowing water, and walking around with tools in our pockets.  Sometimes it happens.  The inspector’s ladder may fall over and damage a car, he may have forgotten about the turning on the stove and walked away, or maybe turning on the water to the jetted tub and it overflowed.  Thousands of dollars can be done to a home.  And who is going to pay for this if there is no insurance?  It could be you.  Please make sure the person you hire is a professional and carries professional insurance like E&O and General Liability.  WE DO!
  • Does inspector provide warranty on mechanical and structure? – Above I talked about the importance of E&O insurance.  I mentioned that you basically have to sue the inspector’s insurance to collect any reimbursement.  Inspectors are human beings.  Inspectors make mistakes.  And sometimes things just break at that awkward moment.  We accept this.  What we don’t accept is our client paying for our mistakes.  This is why we purchase a 90 Day Warranty on every inspection we perform.  As long as we say that something is acceptable, the warranty company will pay to repair this with no deductible to you.  This warranty is good for 90 days from the inspection or 22 days after you close.  Whichever is longer.  For more information, please click on 90 Day Warranty.
  • Does inspector provide warranty on new visible mold? – Another warranty we place on the property is called MoldSafe.  Should new visible mold appear, your covered! Be aware that this is a limited warranty and it does have a deductible.  For more information, please click on MoldSafe.
  • Does inspector provide warranty on broken water or sewer lines? – We do!  We want our clients protected.  And let’s face it, you just can’t see what is going on inside the pipes.  We run the water, but unless we use a sewer scope, we just don’t know.  We do offer Sewer scopes for an extra fee.  The SewerGard Warranty does have limitations and there is a deductible.  But it sure does take the sting out of having to repair a broken sewer line in a home you just bought.  Please click on SewerGard to see the actual policy.
  • Does inspector provide warranty for roof leaks? – As long as the roof is not leaking at the time of the inspection, we can purchase a Platinum Roof Protection Plan for your home.  This plan covers the roof for FIVE years.  It does not replace the roof, it only pays for the repair.  It also comes with a hefty deductible of $500.00.  But at least you will know what the maximum cost will be should that unexpected and unpleasant surprise happen.  Please click on Platinum Roof Protection Plan to view all the details.
  • Does inspector provide monthly tracking of recalls? – Sometimes it might be two or more years down the road when an appliance manufacturer has to issue a recall on their product.  These products are deemed unsafe.  With our recall tracking service we provide on all homes, you will be notified via email.  This notification comes with the problem associated with the appliance, what happened to the other people who had issues, what the fix is, and contact information to get the appliance fixed by the manufacturer for free.
  • Does the inspector guarantee his/her work?  If at the end of your inspection, you feel that one of our inspectors did not meet, or exceed your expectations, then you can simply say I don’t want to pay for this.  We will apologize for what ever caused the issue and simply part ways.  You won’t owe us a penny.  We will not deliver a report.  Once the report is delivered, this guarantee is null and void.

• Experience

  • Our two principles each have over 25 years inspecting homes.  Please visit the inspector’s bios on the right side of the website to find out more about them.  Another noteworthy item is about our other inspectors.  We have the luxury of training over 200 inspectors each year.  When we find the brightest, most passionate, and kindest people in the group; we do what we can to recruit them.  Our goal, as stated above, is to give home owners the peace of mind that comes from knowing their home has been inspected using the best equipment, by skilled professionals who are committed and passionate about their work. And those passionate, committed, and skilled professionals are on our team.