Doherty Home Inspections provides the most detailed, modern home inspections and always delivered on time.
How to Get the Best Home Inspections from Home Inspectors Near Durham · Raleigh · Chapel Hill
Doherty Home Inspections features quality home inspections and timely deliveries. You can depend on your inspection being highly detailed with a modern report that includes high resolution photos and videos.
Home inspections
home inspections
Quality Inspections
Residential home inspections, home maintenance inspections, pre-listing residential inspections, and end-of-warranty inspections
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Radon Testing, WDI/Pest Inspections, Indoor Air Quality
Radon Tests WDI/Pest Inspection air quality testing
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Over 160+ 5-Star Reviews on google
5.0 Aggregate Rating
Rick and Lori are great to work with. They are both very friendly, thorough and they both took their time explaining the process and inspection results to ensure I understood everything. Rick went over his entire inspection report with me, thoroughly explaining his findings, especially areas of concern. The inspection was exactly what I needed to help me better understand the condition and maintenance history of the house we are in contract to purchase. The inspection took 4-5 hours to complete and the report was ready for me later the same day, much faster than I was expecting. The report was clear, easy to understand, and filled with very helpful pics and videos. I highly recommend Doherty Home Inspections.
Bryan Cole
Doherty Inspections was recommended to us by our buying agent after we had an offer accepted. We were able to confirm a date and pay very easily online. The day of the inspection, Rick was there on time and did a very thorough review of the house. He took a lot of time to review his finding with me afterward and answered any questions I had. Then we got the report online which was well written and includes photos of everything noted in the report. I would definitely recommend Doherty to anyone needing an inspection.
Chris Holm
Rick did an inspection for us at a home we are under contract for in Burlington, NC. I am in the trades, so I see a lot of inspection reports. Rick's was very detailed while at the same time organized well and easy to read. I highly recommend Rick for your home inspection needs!
Bull City Crawlspace Moisture Control
If you own a home doing a maintenance inspection every 2 - 3 years is an important investment, and we had Doherty Home Inspections do ours. They were VERY responsive and accommodating to the "special" needs of our house: there were certain things that didn't need inspecting because we knew they were troubled, other areas were going to be target rich. I warned them to bring the "thick pad" for taking notes.
Well, Rick Doherty, the Inspector, went several steps further than I was expecting. He was very generous with his time and generated a web-accessible, multimedia (well, no music ...) report that sets forth the details (urgency, severity, type of professional to fix, and links to such professionals) of every problem that was in his mandated scope.
I've had time to get some of this (lengthy) list fixed, and his assessments have been spot on. Aside from fast, accurate and reasonably priced, the only real room for improvement would be music (Def Leppard's 'When the Walls Come Tumbling Down'?). Hmm, maybe Fast, Accurate, and Reasonably Priced is where they should stop. No music.
Michael Schwartz
We Serve these surrounding areas:
Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, hillsborough, pittsboro, cary, wake forest & the entire Triangle Area
Your Local Home Inspectors
If you live in or are relocating to the Triangle region of North Carolina (including Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill), this article will explain all the things you need to know about home inspections in our area. It will also help you find your best local home inspectors. For a complete and successful home inspection illustration, we’ll use Doherty Home Inspections and our practices so you will know what to expect from a professional home inspector.
This home inspection information will be pertinent if you are:
- A buyer trying to protect your potential investment and learn as much as you can about your prospective home.
- Home inspections are crucial when the home is “For Sale By Owner”
- New construction inspection where seller is a builder
- A seller trying to assess the condition of your property.
- A realtor needing a trustworthy recommendation for your client.
Home Inspections
What is Included in a Home Inspection?
When the Inspector arrives, he will begin by testing the built-in appliances in the kitchen. These include the oven/range, built-in microwave, dishwasher, and garbage disposal.
Also tested are electrical outlets, water flow and temperature, and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. The home inspector will ensure that the heating and cooling systems (seasonally dependent) and all the plumbing fixtures function properly. He will inspect walls, ceilings, floors, and stairs for stability and safety.
He will also check for any signs of previous water damage.
This is a very abbreviated description of what your inspection will include and the types of information you will receive. During the entire inspection, the inspector will highlight important information about your home; during the walkthrough at the end of the inspection, the inspector will provide a complete, verbal overview that highlights his findings and mimic what will be found in the written report.
A thorough home inspection should last about 3-4 hours depending on the size and condition of the home. At Doherty Home Inspections, we provide detailed web-based interactive reports as well as traditional PDFs delivered typically in one day or less. Customer satisfaction is very important to us, so Outstanding Customer Service is our standard. One of the ways we maintain that standard is through excellent communication. If you call, we answer the phone.
What is Checked During a Home Inspection?
Here is a partial list of the items that are checked during a home inspection:
- The roof
- Roofing materials
- Gutter system
- Soffits
- Fascia
- Siding
- Foundation
- Grading
- Stairs and steps
- Decks
- Garages and garage doors
- Eaves
- Balconies
- Porches
- Driveways
- Walkways
- Retaining walls
- Vegetation near house
- Drainage
- Patio
Inside the home, items inspected include electrical outlets, water flow and temperature, built-in kitchen appliances, including dishwashers, ranges, cook tops, garbage disposals, above-range microwaves, and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
Heating and cooling systems (seasonally dependent) and all the plumbing fixtures are tested to see if they function properly. Also checked are the visible plumbing interior water supply lines and distribution, draining systems, hot water, doors, and windows.
Walls, ceilings, floors, and stairs are examined for stability and safety, as well as any signs of previous water damage.
Electrical, including the service line and meter box, amperage and voltage, electric panels, fuses, and breakers, grounding, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are carefully inspected as well.
Doherty Home Inspections inspects chimneys and flues and heat distribution systems.
A thorough home inspector checks the insulation and ventilation, including insulation and vapor retarders, ventilation of attics and foundation areas, and interior venting systems (kitchen, bath, laundry) of a home.
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See why we have more than 100 5-Star Reviews for home inspections from happy clients throughout the Triangle.
GET HELP NOW!919-914-0606House Inspection
How do I Prepare for a Home Inspection?
We are one of the only local companies that will call you before your home inspection to go over in detail exactly what to expect and what the house inspection report will look like. We describe the inspection process, what the inspector is looking for, and limitations inherent in every inspection. We strongly recommend that you plan to attend the after-inspection walkthrough with your agent and home inspector. The inspector will go over his findings and answer any questions you have.
If you are the homeowner getting a maintenance inspection or getting ready to list your home, you can prepare by making sure the inspector has access to all major components (electrical boxes, HVAC units, attic openings, crawl spaces, utility closets, etc.
What Questions Should I Ask During a Home Inspection Walk-Through?
During an inspection, our inspectors get a bit nerdy and go into the “zone” – they really do use all their senses during an inspection to test components, look and listen, investigate, and document. It’s best to let them live in the zone and discuss the inspection findings and questions during the walk-through. We always strongly encourage clients to attend the walk-through because you can see and discuss exactly what will be going into the report.
How Long Should a Good Inspection Take?
Most of our home inspections last between 3 – 4 hours (larger and/or older homes may take longer) with the walk-through at the end adding another 30-45 minutes. We never rush a home inspection because our clients deserve an incredibly detailed, methodical review of their home. We pride ourselves on quality over quantity and always will.
Radon Inspection
Your home is one of your most valuable investments. It is important that you keep a healthy home environment. While it is true that polluted outside air can be bad for your health and cause a lot of health problems, indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor air? Indoor air quality is often neglected; however, paying no attention to it can cause a lot of problems. This is why Air Quality Testing is extremely important in evaluating a home environment.
Did you know that according to the U.S Surgeon General radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer related deaths each year in the United States?
Doherty Home Inspections test your air continuously for 48-Hours with 6 built-in radon detectors taking air samples on the hour, every hour.
If you have questions about radon testing, call us at 919-914-0606.
Home Inspection Costs
How Much Should a Home Inspection Cost?
Important factors that determine inspection fees include the age and size of the home, the type of foundation (crawl, basement, slab), and if there are any detached structures.
Most home inspections cost between $425-$525. Additional services like radon testing ($150), air quality testing (starting at $250), and termite/WDI inspections ($90) add additional fees. These fees are minimal when compared to the damages that can occur when problems exist.
When buying a house, who pays for the inspection?
Typically, the home buyer pays for the home inspection at the time of service. However, a pre-listing inspection would be paid by the seller or owner.
Are home inspections worth the money?
Home inspections are perhaps the single most cost-effective way to get an unbiased professional opinion about the “health” of the home and its major components. Our inspectors spend hours inside and outside of the home, testing, checking, and documenting hundreds of items and additional time writing the report.
In comparison, appraisers often cost similar or more than a home inspector and are at the home typically less than an hour.
A good home inspection could save you thousands of dollars and give you lots of negotiating capital.
Important Things to Know About What a Home Inspection Is and Is Not
A home inspection is non-invasive, which means that home inspectors are not able to damage the home. For example, when a plumber looks for a leak, she may need to open walls or rip up flooring. Home inspectors do not do this. We use tools like thermal imaging and wood moisture meters which are excellent ways to discover leaks, but it is still limited compared to an invasive inspection.
Also, for HVAC inspections, we do not take off panels and remove compressors, as this would be considered invasive.
Inspections are inherently limited because they are a snapshot in time. An inspection on a rainy day after 3 days of rain will look quite different from an inspection done in the heat of summer after 10 dry days.
In addition, homes that are occupied with personal belongings can sometimes block issues from view. Our inspectors use their training, experience, and high-tech tools to discover issues and make predictions to provide the most comprehensive inspection possible.
We Are a family-owned/woman-owned and operated home inspection company
Let us help you get the most thorough home inspection in the business.
Home Inspection Results
What Are the Biggest Red Flags in a Home Inspection?
It is important to remember that anything found in a home inspection can be fixed or addressed. It all depends on what your vision and budget are. Three issues that present more serious challenges include:
- Significant water/moisture intrusion
- Outdated electrical wiring
- Significant structural damage or deterioration
What Constitutes a Bad Home Inspection?
Home inspections are not “good” or “bad” and a home does not pass or fail an inspection.
Home inspections are not “good” or “bad” and a home does not pass or fail an inspection. Home inspections are not building code inspections. Building codes change from town to town, county to county, and from year to year. Homes built 20 years ago are not required to be brought “up to code.” What inspectors DO look for are safety issues, structural damage, water intrusion and/or damage, etc. that can impact the health and safety of its occupants or the home itself.
Is Mold a Deal Breaker When buying a House?
Mold can be mitigated.
Every house and every buyer come with unique circumstances, so we never approach any issue as a “deal breaker.” Our job is to identify potential or existing concerns whenever possible and to provide you with the information you need to make sound decisions based on your unique situation.
So, is mold a deal breaker? The simple answer is “No.”
Home Inspector
Should You Use a Home Inspector?
We are in difficult economic times and folks are looking for ways to stretch their dollars and help make every dollar count. Home buyers, like everybody else, are looking for a deal.
In an effort to save a few dollars, many people are forgoing their home inspection and purchasing a home with no inspection at all.
Home inspection is certainly a vital process in confirming the specific condition of a particular house. Still, many hopeful home buyers are simply ignoring home inspections. They do not seem to realize the importance of home inspections and how using a home inspector can save you money. This is because they are only focused on the expense of hiring a professional inspector. They end up regretting not going through the home inspection process before they made the decision to purchase.
Yes, you should use a home inspector no matter the value of the home you are considering.
What Does a Home Inspector Do?
Home inspectors provide a non-biased, thorough evaluation of all the major components of a home. It is a non-invasive inspection and although it is a snapshot in time and is limited, it provides a significant amount of incredibly detailed information about the home.
Do You Need a License to be a Home Inspector?
In North Carolina, all home inspectors must be licensed by the state. The licensing body is called the North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector Association.
Do Home Inspectors Try to Find Something Wrong?
Not exactly. Our three main goals are as follows:
- Test and inspect all the major components to ensure they are operating as intended at the time of inspection (e.g., HVAC, plumbing, built-in appliances, electrical items).
- Look for any signs of water intrusion from the exterior as well as any signs of leaks from interior plumbing fixtures.
- Look for any safety issues like missing carbon monoxide or smoke detectors, faulty outlets, unstable stairs/decks.
Home Inspectors Near Chapel Hill, Durham, or Raleigh,
Use a Local Home Inspector
Doherty Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all the Triangle including Chapel Hill, Durham, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, and Fuquay Varina.
Our home inspectors having completed hundreds of home inspections in these areas, so we are familiar with common issues found within these communities.
Because we are near you, one of our local home inspectors can be on the job right away and you can have your detailed inspection in hand soon. Our home inspectors provide detailed, unbiased inspections and not only answer your questions during the walk-through but will sit down with you to go over your inspection report with you if you have questions.
If you are looking for home inspector and trying to choose from many home inspection companies, choose Doherty Home Inspections. We have helped hundreds of happy clients across the Triangle.
Why Choose Doherty Home Inspections?
The home inspectors at Doherty Home Inspections are:
- Highly professional, licensed, and insured.
- We provide comprehensive inspections after a visual examination of the house, inside and out. You’ll get an unbiased report that is thorough, easily understood, and includes images and videos.
- Well trained with the latest equipment and tools.
- We use all the latest equipment to ensure accuracy and premium detection.
- Customer friendly.
- Customer satisfaction is our goal and we take pride making sure you are happy.
More Frequently Asked Questions
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