Frequently Asked Questions
Need to prepare for a Home Inspection?
Use this checklist to ensure your home is completely ready and accessible for your home inspection.
Who needs a home inspection?
Many people are recommended to have home inspections:
- If you’re buying a home
- If you’re selling a home
- If you’re buying a brand new home
- If you have a builder’s warranty on a new home
What is inspected during a home inspection?
Axium’s inspectors follow the NACHI Standards of Practice, which can be found here. The following are some of the many items we will be inspecting:
- Foundation and support structure
- Fireplaces
- Roof systems
- Basement seepage
- Safety controls
- Water heater
- Ventilation
- Electrical capacity and components
- Electrical panel and sub-panels
- Walks and driveways
- Built-in appliances
- Structural integrity
- Steps and stairs
- Heating system
- Central Air Conditioning system
- Plumbing System and Fixtures
- Garages, Carports, Workshops, or other external buildings
- Surface drainage
- Windows and doors
- Insulation
- Gutters and downspouts
- Decks
- Sump pumps
What are some of the desirable qualifications of a home inspector?
- Belongs to associations
- Is certified with a reputable company
- Has experience
- Has a strong referral base
- Is insured
- Provides a guarantee
- Covers a broad range of items within inspection
- Has a thorough, detailed report
- Is competitively priced without cutting corners
What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash/Credit
Check/Money Order
Pay at Close (special agreement to have the payment submitted upon the transaction closing date)
Why do I need an inspection if I'm selling?
It is recommended you get your home inspected. This prevents you from having to make repairs or pay for repairs when you go under contract.
Moreover, you receive an unbiased report you can trust and are able to even increase the value of your property before you sell it by making the necessary repairs.
Why do I need an inspection if I'm buying a home?
It is generally well-known that get a home inspection before buying a resale home is a good idea. But this is in order to avoid costly repairs in the future as much as possible. This also presents you with the items to request are repaired or replaced in your Inspection Objection. Basically, it is a great way to save you money in the future!
What IS a home inspection?
Process: An inspector collects data on a property; this is done through visual observation, inspector measurements via equipment, and general survey of said property. This is a non-invasive process.
Product: A meaningful, thorough, and extensive report about the condition, attributes, and defects of the property should be the end result.
Purpose: To identify visible defects and/or conditions of a property, as well as the function and/or integrity of items, components, and systems of said property.
What questions should you ask an inspector before hiring?
What are their qualifications?
Are they certified? By whom?
How many inspections have they done?
Do they have reliable referrals and testimonials?
Do they carry professional E&O insurance?
What are the specifications of the guarantee, if there is one?
What exactly is covered; what is not covered?
Do they have an example report?
How long does the inspection last?
How much will the inspection cost?
What is a Home Inspection NOT?
- Able to identify concealed or latent defects.
- Concerned with aesthetics or what could be deemed matters of taste or cosmetic defects.
- Able to determine the market value of the property.
- Advisement of the purchase of the inspected property.
- Capable of relaying the life expectancy of the property or components.
- A county code inspection.
- A certification of property or its components.
- Technically exhaustive.
Why do I need a home inspection if I'm buying a brand new home?
No one is perfect, and even brand new home builders make mistakes.
It is beneficial to have numerous inspections throughout the build process to prevent unsafe foundations, incorrect rough framing, faulty electrical, HVAC, and plumbing, and improper dry wall and insulation installation.
It is also important to have a final inspection to ensure your home is safe and up to standards.
What is an Inspection Report?
- Provides a summary of the property’s attributes—both negative and positive.
- Includes photos of the property taken during the inspection.
- Your report should be received within 24 to 48 hours after the inspection.
- Should give you the information needed to make an informed decision regarding your perspective property.
Why do I need an inspection for an expiring One Year Warranty on my newly built home?
It is important to be able to present your builder with a detailed report before your One Year warranty runs out. This will give you evidence of any issues you need repaired before the warranty expires and you become liable for all issues with your home.
Do I really need radon testing?
Colorado is has the 7th highest radon levels out of all states in the U.S.
The Surgeon General warns that radon levels above 3.9pCi/L have a high risk of causing lung cancer. How do you know if you and your family are in danger if you do not test?
What are Axium's certifications?
Axium Inspections’ inspectors are all NACHI or ASHI certified.
NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors) is an accredited, trusted inspector certification that is world renowned.
ASHI is the American Society of Home Inspectors and is also known for its expertise in home inspections.
All mold and wood-destroying organism inspections are done by NACHI certified inspectors in the prospective field.
Axium has two Board Certified Master Inspectors on staff. These are the best of the best in the home inspection business.
Our radon technicians and installers are NRPP (National Radon Proficiency Program) certified.
Who are the best inspectors?
- Certified Master Inspectors are the best inspectors in the world.
- CMI is a professional designation available to inspectors who:
- Have completed 1,000 fee-paid inspections and/or hours of education (combined)
- Have been in the inspection business for at least three years
- Agree to abide by the inspection industry’s toughest Code of Ethics
- Agree to periodic criminal background check
- All CMIs are experienced, dedicated to education, and have a proven record in the inspection industry.
- Axium has six CMIs on staff.
Is it necessary to get high radon mitigated?
Just like smoking cigarettes, it is not certain you will obtain lung cancer from high radon levels.
However, a radon level above 4.0pCi/L is proven to result in lung cancer; in fact, it is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. By not mitigating high levels, you are only exponentially increasing your chances.
What is Radon?
Radon is an odorless, tasteless gas which cannot be seen. But why do you care? Uranium in soils decays creating a radioactive gas – Radon – that is attributed to causing over 20,000 deaths per year (according to the EPA). Radon gas is noxious throughout the U.S.A.
Your home is a trap for radon gas, allowing it to build up and preventing it from dissipating into the air naturally. Radon can enter through unsealed crawl spaces, cracks in floors and foundation, and the water supply.
“This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements [are at risk for elevated radon levels].” – EPA – “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon”
What do lead-based paint inspections consist of?
Axium’s team of lead inspectors is certified through the State of Colorado and have the knowledge and experience needed to provide accurate results and help keep your family safe from lead exposure. They use a top-of-the-line Nitron XLP lead analyzing gun to test every wall, ceiling, window, door trim and baseboard of a property for traces of lead and produce immediate and accurate results. In a typical 1.5 hour lead-testing inspection, our inspectors will test approximately 300 items for traces of lead.
Results are then compiled into a thorough, easy to read digitized report highlighting any major areas of concern with recommended courses of action and sent to the client within twenty-four hours of the inspection. If your clients are purchasing an older home or property, hire Axium Inspections and ensure that it remains a safe space to occupy for years to come.
What do Well-water inspections consist of?
We will test that the pump operates at an acceptable capacity for an extended period of time, i.e. 2 hours. We do this by measuring the time in which it takes the well to fill a 5-gallon bucket for two hours. This gives us an estimate wherein we can then provide you with information on your well-pump’s functionality. It also lets us know whether they may be a crack in your pump or any other issues.
What do the well-water lab reports consist of and mean?
Axium Inspections water testing will be able to produce accurate results to determine if you have any contaminants lurking in your water supply. The follow is good information to know when reviewing your well-water lab reports:
For Domestic Water Sample Reports: this report will provide sample reporting for the Total Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCo3), Bicarbonate (mg/L), Carbonate (mg/L), Chloride (mg/L), Iron (mg/L), Fluoride (mg/L), Potassium (mg/L), Nitrate Nitrogen (mg/L), pH (units), Calcium (mg/L), Magnesium (mg/L), Sodium (mg/L), Sodium Adsorption Ration (units), Total Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3), Sulfate (mg/L), and Total Dissolved Solids(mg/L).
This report will provide your well’s results and the suggested maximum along with it. High Sodium may be of concern for health reasons. High Sodium Adsorption Ration indicate this water will likely inhibit plant growth (not suitable for irrigation).
Suggested maximum levels for Nitrate Nitrogen and Fluoride are mandatory maximums set by The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter or PPM
mpn/100 mls = Most Probable Number Index/ 100 mls
What do mold inspections consist of?
Axium Inspections is nationally certified for mold inspections and mold testing.
We use top of the line Zefron International Bio-Pump Plus equipment to perform air tests to identify concentration levels and species of mold spores present within your property.
We send all of our mold test lab samples to a nationally accredited lab for analysis with a fast 48 hour turnaround on lab results.
Our certified mold inspectors will perform a visual mold inspection, utilizing sophisticated moisture detection equipment to determine areas in your home that may be conducive to mold growth. This allows our inspectors to take the proper types of samples in the proper locations within the home to provide the most accurate results. Moreover, we are not a mold mitigation company; what this means for our clients is that you can rest assure that we will not tell you you have mold just to get your business.
How long does a typical inspection last?
The typical home inspection lasts between two and three hours.
Commercial inspections generally last significantly longer based on size.
Mold inspections last around two hours or less.
Well-water inspections last two hours.
Wood-destroying organism inspections last around two hours depending on the size of the property.
What is the standard price for a home inspection?
Each inspection company comes with various qualifications, insurances, and credentials. Axium is one of the highest qualified inspection companies in the state.
Our home inspections range from $250 up to $700 and above; as our inspections are based off square footage, the bigger the property the more expensive the inspection. Our inspectors look at the property from top to bottom, inside and out. This is why we base pricing off square footage.
However, Axium does offer a 110% Best Price Guarantee. If you find a company with similar credentials, insurance, and certifications, we will match their price and then beat it by 10%.
Does Axium have referrals and testimonials?
Axium comes with one of the highest referral rates – we have over 4,ooo 5-Star reviews.
To view some testimonials, we recommend visiting Team Dave Logan, the Denver Better Business Bureau, HomeAdvisor Pro, YELP or Google Reviews.
We are rated with A+ for the Denver BBB.
We are Elite Members of HomeAdvisor Pro due to our high rating.
Do you work weekends, holidays, or evenings?
Axium Inspections schedules 7 days a week at 8AM, 12PM, and 4PM.
Our customer service and sales team are available Monday through Friday from 7AM to 7PM and Saturday and Sunday from 8AM to 5PM.
What is Liberty Home Guard Warranty?
When you opt for a pre-purchase or 1-year warranty inspection, you’re eligible for the 90-Day Liberty Home Guard home warranty. This free coverage extends to vital systems and appliances in your home, safeguarding against unexpected breakdowns and repairs. It’s an added layer of financial protection during the initial phase of home ownership or after significant home inspections.
What is Axium's Price Match Guarantee?
If a competitor offers a lower price than our quote, we guarantee to match it as long as it’s a qualifying home inspection quote.
What is Axium's 200% Satisfaction Guarantee?
If you are not completely satisfied with your inspection, Axium will refund the home inspection fee and pay for another certified home inspector to inspect the same property.
How long do inspection and/or test results take?
Home Inspection: same day or within 24-hours
Mold Testing: 2 business days (samples are sent via FedEx overnight to our lab)
Water Testing: the coloform/ecoli test (bacterial) takes 2 days to process. Lead in water, Domestic Water Quality (DWQ), and Radon in water all take 7-10 business days. Water samples can not be rush processed and require the full processing time.
Asbestos Testing: 3-5 business days
Lead Based Paint Testing: these are instant results with no lab processing required.
Radon Testing: 2 days
Sewer Scope: same day or within 24-hours
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