Pat Wathen spent hours completing an inspection of our home, putting our minds at ease about the condition of our new dwelling. Not everything was in great shape, but with Pat's help my wife and I felt better about what we needed to do to make our home safe. When I purchase a new house again, Pat will be the first person that I call. Thanks INDEPENDENT PROPERY INSPECTIONS for your quick response and concern for our needs.

-- Bill C., Dillon Homeowner

What IS a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is like a snapshot of your property.  We do our very best to give you a clear picture of the property you are purchasing on the day of the inspection.  By definition a professional property inspection is an impartial third-party visual evaluation of the physical structure, electrical, plumbing, heating, roofing, interior and exterior of the home.

The primary goal and obligation of our inspections is to obtain the best possible information about the existing condition of your property, and its major components and systems, so that you can make an informed assessment of the value of that property.

For a full definition of a home inspection please read the Standards of Practice from the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors at www.nachi.org 

What can I expect at the inspection?
We bring our office to the property – computer, printer, notebooks, folders.  If you can attend (we encourage you to join us on-site), we will provide you with a hard copy of the report at the end of the inspection.  Pat will walk you through the report and the home.  When we return to an internet connection, an electronic copy of the report is also sent to you and if you choose, to your realtor.   If you are unable to attend the inspection, we will email you the report.

I’ve heard about radon gas in the mountains.  Do I need to test for radon?  It is not uncommon to find elevated levels of radon in Colorado, as well as several other states.  Testing is easy, and can give you peace of mind.  Visit our Radon FAQ page for answers and links to state and EPA websites.

My property has a well and septic system.  Should I be concerned?  No.  Our own home, built 20 years ago is on a private well and septic system.  Call us.  We’d be happy to discuss the nature of well and septic systems in the mountains.  There are several tests that you’ll want to secure.

Do you inspect properties outside of Summit County?  Occasionally we visit Park, Clear, or Eagle Counties, but primarily we are so busy within Summit County that it is hard to find time to travel further.  It’s important to hire an inspector familiar with the properties and surroundings he or she is inspecting.  We’re happy to make referrals as best we can for locations on the Front Range.

How much do you charge?  This is often the first question people ask, and the toughest to answer because we warn against hiring an inspector on price alone.  Our industry is unregulated, and as such, inspectors come and go with prices that go up and down.  The answer is that we charge by the type of property, size, and age.  Call or email for a quote.

How long will my inspection take?
Inevitably we spend much longer at properties than what most people realize.  Hurrying is not advantageous in our business.  Our average inspection takes two to five hours depending on the size, age, and condition of the property. Obviously a 5000 square foot single family home takes longer than a 500 square foot condo.  For exclusive properties, we’ve been known to spend the entire day on-site.

Should I attend the inspection?
We strongly urge our clients to be present for an on-site walk-through at the end of the inspection. By attending, you will have a far greater understanding of your new home and the report.

About the inspection report…
Independent Property Inspections, Inc. is proud to provide one of the highest quality reporting systems available. You will find your inspection report easy to read and the explanations extremely helpful. We customize each report to fit your needs.  Full color digital photos are included in both our hard copy and PDF electronic report.

The report lists a problem. What should I do?
Relax, no home is perfect. Minor problems can be expected. A problem may be noted on even new construction. The report's purpose is to inform you of the condition of your home and evaluate the function of your home's systems. Think of it like a yearly physical. Using a systematic approach, we evaluate the systems in your home in much the same way as a doctor evaluates a body's systems.

Once you have the knowledge of the existence of a condition, you can now determine which options are best for you. A home inspector may suggest that you seek the advice of a specialist. No worries, this is like your family physician advising you to see the "knee doctor" about that old skiing injury. Knowledge is the key to solutions.


Schedule an inspection on YOUR mountain home!
970 468–9400
mtninspector@msn.com