American Home Inspectors Ltd.
Serving the Metropolitan Chicago Area
Including Cook and Surrounding Counties

Inspection FAQ's

1. What does the inspection involve?
2. Do I have to be there for the inspection?
3. How soon can I have it done?
4. Do you do offer Radon testing?
5. How long have you been in business?
6. What if I have questions after the inspection?
7. How soon after the inspection do I get the report?
8. About what percentage of your business comes from past customers or referrals?
9. What do I need to do or think about before the inspection takes place?
10. Where around Chicagoland do you do inspections?
11. Why should I make sure I have an ASHI-certified home inspector?
12. Does your company do repairs or recommend others who do?
13. Since Illinois has a Disclosure Law that requires sellers to divulge what's wrong with the home they are selling, why do I need a home inspection?
14. Do you inspect commercial property as well as homes?
15. Is there any way I can protect myself from unexpected repair expenses soon after I move into the home?
16. If and when I decide to move again and sell my home, what good would a home inspection do me as a seller?
17. How do you charge?

What does the inspection involve?
Our thorough inspections involve a comprehensive evaluation of all the major components of the property, including roofing, exterior, grounds and drainage, garage, foundation, electrical system, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, bathrooms, kitchen, general interior and attic. Our inspections meet or exceed all of the standards of practice prescribed by the American Society of Home Inspectors. (In fact, we include a copy of the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics with each inspection.) Back to Top

Do I have to be there for the inspection?
We highly recommend that you be present during all of the inspection so that we can point out any problems which we discover and explain to you what we think could be necessary to solve them. In addition, we give you all kinds of valuable maintenance tips which will help you save money in the long run and gain maximum value and enjoyment from your home. Back to Top

How soon can I have it done?
Normally, we can arrange to do an inspection for you in as little as 24 to 48 hours. We do our utmost to accommodate our valued customers at times which are convenient for them during mornings and afternoons of weekdays and on weekends. Because we need good natural light to effectively inspect the exteriors of houses, we do not offer or conduct inspections during evening hours. Back to Top

Do you do offer Radon testing?
Yes, we offer Radon testing as an ancillary service. Our state-licensed radon technicians will set up continuous electronic Radon monitors according to the protocols of the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety. These stringent 48-hour tests can be conducted prior to or in conjunction with our home inspection. Results of these tests are available immediately after the test is completed. Back to Top

How long have you been in business?
American Home Inspectors, Ltd. started business in 1988. We have served over 10,000 customers and have inspected over $2 billion in properties. Back to Top

What if I have questions after the inspection?
Our inspectors are always available for telephone consulations after the inspection at no additional charge. We can answer questions about the report or assist you with advice after you have moved into the home. Back to Top

How soon after the inspection do I get the report?
You get the report immediately! One of the biggest benefits to you of our unique system is being able to provide you with a highly detailed, perfectly legible, printed report immediately at the conclusion of the inspection. Back to Top

About what percentage of your business comes from past customers or referrals?
We are proud that more than half of our business comes directly from repeat business and referrals from our past customers. Back to Top

What do I need to do or think about before the inspection takes place?
Because our inspections take at least 2 to 3 hours, the agent and seller need to be aware that this is how long the inspection will take. Back to Top

Where around Chicagoland do you do inspections?
Within Illinois and Indiana, within a 50-mile radius of Chicago. Back to Top

Why should I make sure I have an ASHI-certified home inspector?
ASHI standards are the highest in the industry. To qualify for ASHI certification, inspectors must complete 250 inspections,and pass the rigorous National Home Inspection exam. Following certification ASHI certified-inspectors must undergo a minimum of 20 hours of home-inspection-related education per year. Back to Top

Does your company do repairs or recommend others who do?
No. Due to the potential confilict of interest, the ASHI Code of Ethics prohibits ASHI-certified inspectors from personally doing or recommending contractors to make any kind of home repairs. Back to Top

Since Illinois has a Disclosure Law that requires sellers to divulge what's wrong with the home they are selling, why do I need a home inspection?
According to this law, sellers are only required to disclose those deficiencies that they are aware of. They are not required to disclose the existence of any problem they do not know about or have, in their judgement, satisfactorily fixed. Back to Top

Do you inspect commercial property as well as homes?
Yes, American Home Inspectors, Ltd. inspects all kinds of residential and commercial properties. Back to Top

Is there any way I can protect myself from unexpected repair expenses soon after I move into the home?
Yes, American Home Inspectors offers its clients an optional comprehensive 1-Year Home Warranty issued through Home Warranty of America. Back to Top

If and when I decide to move again and sell my home, what good would a home inspection do me as a seller?
For a seller, a home inspection can reveal aspects of the home, which when properly addressed, can improve the saleability of the home. Back to Top

How do you charge?
Essentially, our pricing system offers you the best value in the industry. It involves a set fee for the first hour plus a lower hourly rate for each hour thereafter. So the total cost of the inspection is directly related to how long it takes. We keep that time, and thus your cost, to a minimum by using a unique time-saving handheld computer system. It enables us to devote almost all of our time to conducting the inspection and the absolute minimum time to recording our detailed comments and observations for the home inspection report. Our thorough and comprehesive inspection of a single family home will typically take at least two to three hours. Condos and townhomes generally take less time while larger and older homes may take more time To the extent a home is in fine condition, the inspection will go faster because there is less to document in the report and to explain to you as we progress through the inspection.

To the degree that problems are encountered, more documentation and explanation are required. However, this modest extra time and expense is insignificant compared to what it buys you. That's because the resulting documentation becomes the basis for you to either have the seller fix the problems at no cost to you or for you to have your purchase price lowered at the closing in order to compensate you for the repairs which will be required. Thus, we are able to provide you the most comprehensive inspection available for a price that is entirely competitive with what other home inspection companies are charging for their inspections which are significantly less thorough and comprehensive and not as well documented. This is what makes our inspection service the best value for your money. Back to Top

For a thorough unbiased home inspection in the Chicagoland area,
call American Home Inspectors at:

1-708-579-0300

Fax 1-877-360-5404
Email info@ahinspectors.com

American Society of Home Inspectors
Certified Member #001882

Illinois Home Inspector Entity License #051.000175

© 2003 American Home Inspectors Ltd.