FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Whether you are a prospective home buyer, long-term homeowner, seller, investor, or builder in the Metro Atlanta area, the right home inspection will help you make a more informed decision. However, while researching the various services offered by a home inspector, you may have a ton of questions but find answers difficult to come by. To ensure all your doubts are cleared and you are armed with the most accurate information, VisionQuest Home Inspections, LLC has answered some of the most frequently asked questions about home inspections, radon testing, and specialty inspections.

No, but it is strongly recommended. Buying a home is likely one of the largest investments you will make. We eliminate any emotional attachment that the home buyer may have by providing a clear understanding of the function, safety, and overall condition of the home.

No, but we highly recommend that you be present at least toward the end of the inspection so that the inspector can educate you about the property and discuss the findings or concerns about the property. A detailed report with all recommendations and pictures is provided on all inspections.

Our General inspections are based on the square footage of the home and start at $370.00. Discounts are applied to military, first responders, seniors, agent referrals, and multiple inspections for a single purchase.

A typical inspection can last anywhere from one-and-a-half to four hours, based on the square footage and the complexity of the home.'

No, Obviously, it is very important to have an inspection when you are purchasing a home, but we also offer several other types of inspections, which are listed below.

Builders' warranty inspections are performed at the eleventh month of occupancy on new homes. This provides the homeowner with a detailed report outlining needed repairs or deficiencies covered under your One-Year Warranty program.

A Home Health Checkup inspection is performed for homeowners who have resided in their home for an extended period of time. This helps the homeowner identify issues of concern and reduce potential escalated costs and/or further deterioration of the house.

A pre-listing inspection is when a client who is considering selling their home may want to eliminate the surprises of any major repairs that may "kill the deal."

A Condition Check Inspection offers an overview of the general condition of the property and addresses any issues with the major components of the home. So, if you are an investor or property manager, you could benefit from it!

Radon gas is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas caused by the natural decaying of uranium below the ground. These gases seep up through the ground through cracks in the earth and through the foundation of homes. Radon is considered to be the number two cause of lung cancer, next to smoking.

1 in 15 homes in Zone 1 have elevated radon levels, requiring mitigation to get levels to a safe level. If your home is located in Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, or Gwinnett County, you are in Zone 1, and it has been determined by the EPA that homes in this area are at the highest risk of elevated levels of 4 or greater picocuries. All other metro Atlanta counties are at a moderate level between 2-4 picocuries, which may require mitigation.

Your technician will provide you with information on mitigation companies that you can interview and select the best system for your situation. A Radon Mitigation Company can install a variety of mitigation systems that can reduce the Radon to safer levels. Understand, all homes have some level of Radon. But not all homes have dangerous levels. A Radon specialist will design a system just for your situation. Systems are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Systems typically start at approximately $1000.

Our fee is $185. It requires a technician to come out to install the monitoring equipment on the lowest level of the home. When this level is 2000 square feet or greater, additional radon testing devices are to be placed. There is an additional $75 fee for the additional device. The monitor must run for 48 hours. The homeowner can remain in the home while the test is being conducted, but strict guidelines must be followed in order to get accurate results. Most devices have safeguards on them to indicate if protocol or tampering was involved while testing was in progress. Once the monitoring is completed, in 48 hours, the technician will retrieve the device and analyze the data. A written report will be formulated, and recommendations will be made. Your report should be ready within 24 hours.

Yes, Radon can enter a home through cracks and other holes in the foundation, so if your home is on a basement, crawl space, or slab, it can still creep up through the foundation of your home.

1. I live in a town home, and the HOA is responsible for the exterior maintenance. Do I still need an 11-month Builder's Warranty Inspection?

2. What if I have an uncle who is in construction? Can't he just inspect my house?

Most inspectors are certified through various programs, and a good inspector will go through continuing education classes to keep themselves abreast of changes in building codes and requirements. Your family member may not be aware of the current requirements for foundations, framing, electrical, etc.

Yes, a trained inspector looks for potential issues in the entire home that could result in serious issues. By having a home inspection, the homeowner is being proactive in trying to prevent an issue from arising, whereas the HOA would be reactive to an issue that comes up. At that point, serious damage could have already occurred.