Category: Home Inspection

Preparing Your HVAC System for Summer

Summer will be here before we know it. It won’t be long before you are relying on your home’s HVAC system and, more specifically, your home’s air conditioner to keep your house cool. But before you start using it on a regular basis, you should take the time to prepare it for the summer season…. Read more »

Beware of These Common Household Electrical Hazards

Many electrical devices and appliances are invaluable household tools, but they can also constitute dangerous safety hazards if you’re not careful. The first step toward preventing electrical hazards is educating yourself about them! Today we’ll address a few of the most common fire hazards to keep an eye out for in your home. Overloaded power… Read more »

The Importance of an Energy Audit on Your Home

First Choice Inspectors regularly perform energy audits in and around Chicago. An energy audit involves professionals doing a comprehensive examination of a home or building’s thermal performance. In other words, where are the leaks? Heating and cooling a building costs money, and when there are leaks, the heat or cool air you’re paying for might… Read more »

Should You Have an Inspection Done on a Brand New Home?

If you buy a brand new home, should you have an inspection done before you buy it and/or move in? The answer is yes. Even if the builder claims the inspection might void their insurance policy or says they’re afraid someone might get hurt during the inspection, you should still have an objective third party… Read more »

Health Risks Associated With Household Mold

If you have mold in your home, especially certain types of black mold, it’s important to have it removed as soon as possible to avoid potential adverse health effects. Mold can grow on walls, in carpeting, inside of insulation and on floors that have been exposed to moisture. A mold colony can start to grow… Read more »

Signs Your Home Has Structural Issues

Does your home have “issues?” There are some key things to look for regarding signs of structural problems. First, look at a home from far away. Go across the street, for instance, and take a look to see if you notice any walls leaning or tilting in ways that don’t look normal. How’s the ridge… Read more »

The Importance of Home Energy Audits Today

Home energy audits

A home energy audit is very important in today’s day and age. Energy audits allow a home inspector to give you all the data and information on how you’re using your home’s energy, if there are possible improvements you can make, and if you can replace any old equipment in the home. Today, your home’s… Read more »

Spring Maintenance Inspection Checklist for Your Home

Home inspection services during each season for seasonal maintenance

It’s the spring season as we know from the up and down weather stretching across the country. It comes every single year, and it brings us cold and warm weather every other day. The spring season is also the time for spring cleaning, checkups on your home, maintenance, and inspections. A home inspection will ensure… Read more »

Inspection Items That Can Make or Break Your Resale Value

Before you put your home on the market, it’s imperative that you have a clear understanding of the underlying issues that might be hiding beneath the surface. Your home might look fine at first glance, but the last thing you want is for a prospective buyer to discover structural issues that can seriously compromise the… Read more »

Mold Can Be More Prominent in the Winter Months

Mold Buildup

The winter months can bring up and down temperatures from freezing to mild. Most homeowners understand that when moisture gets into the home, it can cause mold and mildew to grow, especially in places of the home where it is constantly damp. Basements, attics, and some windowsills can obtain mold to the moisture that builds… Read more »