Common NH & MA Home Inspection FAQ's

A New Hampshire or Massachusetts Home inspection from Maida Services includes a visual examination of the house from top to bottom. The inspector examines the heating system, the central air conditioning system*, the interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and visible structure, siding, grading, drainage, walkways, stairways and attic spaces; he enters most crawl spaces and performs a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection which is sufficient for VA lending.

* when temperature permits

Maida MA & NH Home Inspection reports are computer generated. They include the inspectors findings in detailed narrative comment, as well as digital photographs, the inspectors recommendations and repair needs. Reports also include helpful information for proper installation and explanations of components you may not be as familiar with.

On the Reports Page of this site, there are three complete examples: a Home Inspection Report, Commercial Inspection Report and a Multi-Family Inspection Report; these are typical examples of what your finished product would look like. Further, a sample report is included in every emailed quotation.

For Maida Services, the cost of a New Hampshire or Massachusetts Home Inspection is subject to the location and description of the property. We base our quotes on the style of house, year of construction, gross living area, additional structures and general accessibility of systems/components.

In the inspection field there is a wide range of difference in years of experience, education, credentials, quality of report, and time spent with you; before, during and after the inspection. Remember to compare these when you are comparing price.

A Wood Destroying Insect Inspection (also called a "Termite Inspection" or a "Pest Inspection") is a critical part of having a home inspected thoroughly. Maida Services NH & MA Home Inspectors perform a visual, sounding, and probing inspection as this procedure may help determine the structural integrity of the building. This inspection is always quoted as part of our Home Inspection procedure; we do not perform a full Home Inspection without one.

First, price shopping isn't usually the best practice. Considering calling 3 NH or MA home inspectors doesn't guarantee you're calling 3 inspectors with the same education, experience and credentials, it can be very frustrating "calling around" for a home inspection - especially when your trying to find a quality inspector.

Second, we stand behind our prices. Our detailed NH & MA Home Inspection and Wood Destroying Insect Inspection cost reflects the quality of our report, the credentials of our inspector, and, is far less than the value of his findings. We are well aware we are not the "cheapest" home inspection company.

Finally, instead of price shopping, find 5 MA or NH Home Inspectors with similar credentials, education and experience - specifically - in the home inspection field. Then check to see where, when and how they've attained their credentials. At that point, if their inspection procedure and reports seem to be similar, call those inspectors and choose the price that fits your budget.

Maida Services can usually schedule a MA or NH Home Inspection within 3-5 days. It is best to schedule the inspection after you have an accepted offer in writing, and, when all systems and components can be operational (i.e. all utilities are on).

Check your contract to be sure your purchase is contingent upon a professional home inspection. If not, you could ask your lawyer to include such an inspection clause. Otherwise, the best time to call in the home inspector is after you've made an offer on the house, and before you sign the contract.

Radon Air Testing, Water Testing and a Mold/Testing Screening are "Optional Fee Based Services" with the purchase of a NH or MA home inspection. As long as we are performing these services at the time of the inspection - and NOT in advance - there is no obligation to these additional testing services; just let the inspector know before the samples are drawn.

Unless you have been otherwise informed, you can usually expect your NH or MA Home Inspection Report to be sent to you via email within 24-48 hours of the inspection.

Laboratory results are usually available within 5-7 days of the inspection, depending on parameters tested and the type of analysis. Our Radon Air Testing and Water Testing pages include instructions to access your test results.

Our consultation is dedicated solely to the buyer; our client. We do not discuss the MA or NH Home Inspection report or Laboratory Results with anyone else without your permission. We do not sell or share the report with anyone else. 

Keeping in mind that the inspector will need someone to give him access to the property, and, the presence of the owner, seller, or real estate agent can be helpful in some cases (especially Buyers Brokers who usually take a more active role in the home inspection process); Our inspection presentation is always focused on you, the buyer. Their presence will not detract from your inspection or distract our inspector.

We strongly discourage videotaping:

• When the buyer is videotaping, they are distracted and do not pay adequate attention to the inspector.
• Sellers are generally very uncomfortable having their personal belongings videotaped.  You would have to obtain written permission from the seller(s) / owner(s) for you to videotape their home during the inspection.
• Our report is well detailed - with captioned photos - and extremely thorough.

You will gain a better understanding of the quality of materials used and the workmanship in the building's systems. Just a few examples are:

• Is the exterior detailing complete in siding and trim work?
• Does the exterior appear water tight; sealed with caulking?
• Are roof components properly flashed?
• Are all attic areas thoroughly insulated and ventilated?
• Are the heating system(s) distributing heat evenly throughout the house?

If the home is complete, we could perform the inspection in one visit. 

However, if the home is still under construction with many systems incomplete, you may want our inspector to review the property more than once before your closing. Generally, in a home that is incomplete, we inspect in two phases.

Phase One:  At the first visit, we would review all details of the structure, looking for things like quality of materials, proper installation of roofing and siding materials, priming of painted surfaces, proper grading, proper installation of flashing materials, thorough installation of insulation and ventilation, etc., etc., etc. 

Phase Two: After completion, and before closing we schedule another appointment to inspect systems and components that were not installed or functioning previously. Heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as any items of concern from the first inspection are checked to make sure they have been fixed or finished properly.

Additionally, a home inspector can make helpful suggestions that may improve the property, without impacting overall costs. And, very occasionally, we do see builders that may not be utilizing current technology in their construction practices.   

At Maida Services, Inc. we are fully trained and experienced to evaluate the conditions of the entire spectrum of construction practices - from pre-railroad post and beam to New England farmhouses, through the various methods used in the last 100 years.

Many antiques employ technologies of several eras of structural, electrical and mechanical systems (as the various prior owners invested in upgrading systems and additions to the home). Only a truly competent inspector can confidently and correctly evaluate such issues as:

• the many types of framing techniques and their characteristics (both good and bad)
• heating systems from coal converted hydraulics to the "octopus" (an old hot air duct work design)
• electrical systems in various stages of upgrade

When you hire a Maida Services inspector we will inspect and report on both the interior AND the exterior of the property.

Even though the condo association may (or may not) be responsible for the exterior of the building, you still need to be concerned with it's condition.  Your condo fees are directly related to the condition of the building.  If the condo association has not been doing a good job taking care of the building, there may be major repairs which will eventually have to be addressed.  At that time, your condo fees could go up considerably.

We always encourage buyers to contact the condo association and ask as many questions as possible, such as:

• How much money does the association have in reserve?
• Are any major (or minor) repairs scheduled?
• Does the association expect an increase in condo fees?
• Are there any defects that are currently known in the complex?
• Has there been any radon testing performed and what were the results?
• That is the ratio of owner occupied / rental units?
• Have any potential buyers experienced problems obtaining a mortgage on any of the units because of defects or undisclosed problem

We would help you analyze the information you receive, and also perform a very thorough inspection of the building where your unit is located. We would need access to all common areas. If the heating system and/or electrical panel are in an area that is kept locked, either you, or your Realtor would have to arrange for access, IN ADVANCE, so that we can inspect those components.

Since 1983, our inspector has inspected hundreds of mobile homes and is very knowledgeable and qualified.

Our inspector checks the whole exterior of the structure.  We generally, remove the skirt, get underneath the mobile home and inspect the systems and components in the crawl space, if it is accessible.  All interior and exterior components are thoroughly inspected.

Some towns are more thorough than others when they inspect new construction.  Basically though, a code inspector (or town inspector) would only inspect the property to be sure that local building codes are followed.

The inspector at Maida Services, Inc. would perform a complete inspection, looking at quality of materials, and many, many other small details, such as:

• proper installation of roofing and siding materials,
• priming of painted surfaces,
• caulking to prevent water penetration,
• proper grading to prevent water problems,
• flashing materials around stairs and decks (which helps to prevent water penetration) ...just to mention a few.