Times change and with time all things change. With the market the way it is I change the type and names of inspections that I do. Five years ago I could limit my inspections to just real estate transactions and I would have been satisfied with the number of inspections I was doing. A one man shop has a limited amount of time and therefore can do a limited amount of inspections.
Unfortunately, the market changed and with it the number of real estate transaction inspections that were available. Since the dogs like to eat on a regular basis with the occasional biscuit I have had to change also. Oh, I still have my share of the real estate transaction market, but dog food and biscuit prices haven't really gone down. So my focus has to change to supplement the amount of work in this somewhat slow market.
I don't mind so much because I enjoy doing what I do whether it is commercial, residential, investor, or standard home buyer.
There are basically five different types of inspections (some HI's might say 1 or 2 more or less).
A standard home inspection is the one that most people are familiar with. It includes most aspects of the property, the function and present condition of most everything pertaining to that property. There are also variations of this inspection that are a sub category or a category all their own.
A sellers inspection is designed to inform the seller what if anything will be called out on a standard inspection. This inspection is done with or without a formal report.
A construction inspection is a standard home inspection that has a twist. The HI gets to see inside the walls, under the floors and etc. prior to the buyer taking possession of the home. In a real sense this is the ultimate home inspection since we don't have x-ray vision. This inspection also applies to remodeling and rehab work.
A commercial inspection, be it for lease or purchase, is usually also based on a transaction. Although it is possible to have this type of inspection coincide with maintenance that the property may need.
An insurance inspection can be ordered for a number of reasons and may include the entire property or any portion there of. The biggest reason is renewal of a policy already in force.
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection Services, Clayton
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