Residential Services Available Services Professional Engineers inspection of home or building before buying or selling Foundation inspections Evaluation of basement water problems Second opinion inspections Expert witness testimony Structural and mechanical consultations for homeowners Pre-construction plan examination and in-process construction inspections New homes or Buildings under construction Relocation inspections Bank/Lender inspections Realtor pre-listing inspections efore buying stock in a company, you evaluate its track record of performance. Before purchasing a precious antique, you research its provenance. As with any worthwhile investment, buying a home should involve taking a careful look at what you're getting for your money. It simply doesn't make sense to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a new or existing home without an expert evaluation. Few buyers have the expertise to make an objective evaluation, particularly when the emotional experience of buying a home often blinds us to the realities beyond the facade. A quality inspection helps you make better decisions. It can also save money and expensive surprises. Being aware of potential problems and necessary repairs will enable you to plan and budget for the next five to ten years of ownership. And since "forewarned is forearmed," you will have the peace of mind that brings maximum enjoyment from your new home. What do we examine? Criterium-Van Marter Engineers covers the following "check-points" in its standard visual inspection. In addition, a more in-depth, evaluations by an appropriate specialist could be required for some items such as well, septic, pest control, radon or other areas of special concern that you may have or that may be discovered during our inspection. Roof surfacing Foundation Visible framing Basement water problems Settlement Overall structure Condensation Rot Heating unit Water pump Heat distribution Air conditioning Water heater Piping Electrical capacity Electrical distribution Plumbing fixtures Interior finishes Windows General energy efficiency Gutters and downspouts Storm windows Exterior finishes/paint Driveways/walkways Retaining walls Wood destroying insect inspections Chimneys and fireplaces Fire/safety hazards Septic system Swimming pools/tennis courts Hazardous materials (visual scan) Ventilation The Report Once all of the above elements have been evaluated, you will receive a written report consisting of: Summary of major systems Discussion of deficiencies Description of systems General repair suggestions Comparison to other properties Unless otherwise noted, our building evaluations are based on visual evidence reasonably available during our inspection. While not a specific guarantee, our report can be considerd a sound engineering opinion based on years of experience examining thousands of structures. Observations and conclusions may be limited since conditions could exist that that are not observed, discovered or would not be known during our inspection. Criterium Engineers Standard Home Inspection is a limited visual inspection consistent with the standards of practice of the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE), designed to identify significant deficiencies and/or repairs needed in the major systems of a home (structural, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, roof, exterior) and to provide a general understanding of the property's current condition.