RESIDENTIAL HOME INSPECTION SERVICES
Serving the Portland, Oregon metro area, Active Home Inspection Services provides high quality home inspections, delivered with superior customer service. Active is passionate about the work that we do. That means we inspect each and every home as if it is our own. We will happily venture into/onto/over/under those unsavory areas and check things out so you are not left guessing about the condition of your investment. Call Active today and schedule an inspection, or request an inspection online.
Phone: (971) 356-4886
Email: Office@ActiveInspecting.com
Types of Home Inspection
Pre-Purchase Home Inspection for Buyers:Before you purchase a home, get a professional home inspection. This will give you valuable information on the condition of the home and put you in the strongest position when negotiating with the sellers.Pre-Listing Home Inspection for Sellers:Before listing your home for sale, use a home inspection to identify and be informed of any problems that could disrupt the selling process.Home Checkup Inspection:Provided to a homeowner who is not involved in a real estate transaction but has an interest in preserving their home in good condition and need of professional help doing it. Inspections of single components or home systems are available upon request.Investor Properties:Before purchasing rental property, get a professional inspection to identify defects before tenants move in. Finding problems early reduces risk and increases the potential for profitable ownership.
Radon Testing
What is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert. Unless you test for it, there is no way of telling how much is present. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.To ensure that the home you are planning to buy does not have elevated levels of radon, you should have the home tested. Active Home Inspection Services can test your home for elevated radon levels with 48 hour continuous electronic radon monitoring systems.Remember, elevated radon levels can be fixed and can almost always be reduced to below 4 pCi/L. If testing confirms radon levels in the home to be at or above 4 pCi/L, consider having the radon level reduced before you move in.Read more about radon inspections
Sewer Scope
Why is it recommended to have a sewer inspection (sewer scope) performed? A general home inspection only tests drain pipes for functional drainage at fixtures. This will rarely identify a sewer problem downstream but rather just find some hair clog at the trap. Breaks, cracks, root penetration, major clogs, or separated joints can only be seen by running a specialized sewer camera from the sewer clean-out to the city connection or septic tank.Repairing or replacing a sewer line can be very expensive (up to $30,000 for a full sewer line replacement). Identifying a sewer line problem during the buying process makes it a negotiable item now vs. dealing with an expensive item down the road.Read more about sewer scopes
THERMAL IMAGING
Thermal imaging, or infrared scanning, is a technology used to scan and pick up thermal energy from objects to create an image. It allows us to see more in a home inspection than conventional methods. Thermal imaging is used for checking for moisture intrusion, energy loss, and hot spots in areas of your home that cannot be seen by the naked eye.Active Home Inspection Services offers thermal image scanning as a standard part of every home inspection at no additional cost.Read more about thermal imaging
The Process
Active Home Inspection Services uses top of the line inspection equipment and reporting software to deliver detailed, accurate, and easy to read inspection reports. Active home inspections and reporting follows the State of Oregon Standards of Practice but we believe that these are only minimum standards. We strive to go above and beyond these standards whenever possible to ensure you are accurately informed about the true condition of your prospective investment.
Schedule an Inspection:
Either you or your agent can contact Active Home Inspection Services and request an inspection.
Be prepared to answer a few basic questions about the property including:
• The address.
• The type of property - single family, condo, duplex, etc.
• Square footage of the property including basement.
• If it is a basement, crawlspace, or both.
• Any special considerations e.g. detached buildings, ADU, recent damage etc.
• Your preferred inspection time slot - morning or afternoon.
Preview the Following Documents:
• The Contract - our legal agreement.
• Home Inspection Consumer Protection Notice - a required distribution from the Oregon CCB.
• Home Inspection Customer Checklist - a handy checklist of inspected items for taking notes during the inspection.
Other Helpful Steps to Consider:
• Prepare people and property
• Make sure your agent knows when to be there to let the inspector in. He starts on the outside and agents do not need to let him in until 45 minutes after the scheduled start time.
• Make sure any occupants know to be out of the building for the inspection period.
• Ask seller to move any items that block access to crawlspaces, attics, electric panels, furnaces and water heaters, or other important areas and appliances.
• Make sure the utilities are on and the systems are fully operating. That means gas, electricity and water. If it's an oil furnace then there needs to be oil in the tank. The inspector doesn't turn on gas or water valves, light gas appliances without built in switches, or switch on circuit breakers. All this should be done by authorized people before the inspection. Inspections can and do take place without all utilities or systems operating, but the results are not as conclusive. Follow up by other contractors will be needed for verification which involves extra time and can mean added expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Have a Home Inspection?
Home sellers are supposed to disclose any problems with their home. Unfortunately most home owners aren't aware of many deficiencies that may exist. Areas like the crawlspace, attic and roof are inspected during a home inspection and the home inspector helps identify any issues associated with areas that the home owner might not regularly go.
How Long Does the Inspection Take?
Usually 2-4 hours depending on age, condition, and complexity of the house.
How Much Does an Inspection Cost?
The cost of an inspection depends on a number of factors including the square footage, additional systems such as multiple kitchens, water heaters, furnaces, etc., detached garages, outbuildings or workshops, and more. View the basic price list here.
Do I Need to Attend the Inspection?
Clients are always encouraged to attend the inspection for as much time as their schedule allows and experience the property again in greater detail. However, it is best to allow the inspector to give full attention to the inspecting process. This will ensure a complete and accurate report. The summary at the end of the inspection is the best time for the client to be on site. The inspector will review with you any deficiencies found at that time and discuss recommendations.
When Will I Get My Full Report?
At the end of the inspection the inspector will summarize the results of the report, review pictures on a tablet, and answer any questions you have. The full detailed electronic report will be emailed to you later that evening or within 24 hours.
What If I Have Questions About the Home Inspection Report?
You can always call or email us your questions at anytime.
Are Radon Levels Typically High or Low in My Neighborhood?
Radon levels can fluctuate from house to house and even from day to day as they are influenced by weather, season, geology, type of construction and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Because of this, radon levels may not be consistent among a group of homes, even those next door to each other. The Oregon Health Authority recommends that ALL residences be tested for radon regardless of the risk level assigned to the home's geographic location.