Syracuse Home Inspection Professionals

Explaining Inspection FindingsThere are 3 types of single-family home inspections:

  • Inspections for buyers – The most common
  • Pre-listing inspections for home sellers  – Before the house goes on the market
  • Home maintenance inspections – Performed roughly every 5 years to catch owners up on the state of their house and needed repairs

All houses are different, some age like a fine wine, others turn to vinegar. Your Brightside inspector will provide you with the information you need to understand your situation.

We work with buyers from all walks of life but specialize in helping first-time home buyers understand their first home.

How will an inspection help you?

We will provide you the facts of the home so that you:

  • Don’t run into any surprises or red flags with the home
  • Better understand the maintenance needs of the home
  • Have the tools to negotiate a better deal if necessary

What does that mean for you?

  • We work for you and only you. It’s in our best interest to make sure your potential home is safe
  • We give you the information that will help you to move forward, negotiate further, or walk away from the home
  • We will explain our findings in clear, easy to understand ways so that you are presented with actionable items. Our reports will include photos and illustrations to simplify complex topics.

We are insured, licensed by New York State and hold certifications from InterNACHI. We carefully abide by the home inspector code of ethics to provide you with a professional experience.

HVAC Inspection - Furnace - BHI

After your inspection is complete we will verbally point out areas of concern in advance of the written report. We promise you that we:

  • Provide quick turnaround – emailing you the finalized inspection report the same day
  • Are available to answer any follow-up questions that you have about the property
  • will provide additional tools to aid your home buying/ownership process.

What does a home inspection include?

Our inspection determines the safety, operation and condition of hundreds of components in a house. It is a visual, non-invasive assessment, including but not limited to the following:

  • Roof: Shingles, flashing, chimneys, vents, trim and gutters, drip edges, skylights, downspouts, and other visible roof-related items.
  • Electrical System: Service entry and clearances, service panel, switches and outlets including GFCI compliance, visible wiring and junction boxes, grounding system, and other related electrical components.
  • Basement, Crawl Space & Foundation: Insulation, ventilation, posts, vapor barriers, utility attachment, structural items, floors and walls, and columns.
  • Attic: Insulation, ventilation, rafters, joists and collar ties, trusses, wiring attachments, roof deck and other visible, related items.
  • Plumbing & Fixtures: Water pressure, water distribution system, sinks and faucets, bath/showers and toilets,, built-in kitchen appliances and other plumbing system components.
  • Heating, Ventilation & Cooling System (HVAC): Heating and cooling systems, whole house ventilation, ventilation fans, fireplaces and other visible related heating and cooling components.
  • Interior: Floors, walls, ceilings, stairs and banisters, cabinets, built-in appliances, windows, doors, smoke detectors and safety-related items, and other visible interior-related components.
  • Exterior: Siding, trim, soffit, fascia, windows, doors, entryways, porches, decks and other visible exterior related components.

Inspecting Water Heater - BHIItems that aren’t covered in a home inspection

  • Radon. Radon testing is a separate process from a home inspection, it is a service that we offer at Brightside.
  • Anything in-between the walls, pools or spas, septic tanks, well water systems, additional structures like a barn, shed or pool house.
  • Air conditioners when its below 65 degrees
  • Electric generators
  • Cosmetic damage like torn carpet, scratched hardwoods or peeling paint; unless it presents a safety issue. Home inspections are not intended to find every scratch or dent.
  • Modern day building codes.  A home inspection is not a code inspection.
  • Wood burning fireplaces are partially inspected but the only way to know if it’s safe to use is through a level 2 inspection by a CSIA certified chimney sweep

When will I receive my home inspection report?

Your inspection report will be emailed the same day as your inspection. Radon or water test reports may follow depending on the individual inspection.

How long does an inspection take?

Generally, a single-family home inspection will take 3 hours depending on factors like size, age, condition and add-on services like a radon test.

How much does an inspection cost?

Pricing information can be found here

We offer several additional Safe Home services that will give you peace of mind: