Frequently Asked Questions
At J.W. McCool Home Inspection Services, we understand that buying or selling a home comes with a lot of questions. Our goal is to provide honest, thorough inspections that give you the clarity and confidence you need. Below, you'll find answers to the most common questions we receive about the inspection process, what’s included, and what to expect. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us — we’re happy to help.
Q1: What is a home inspection? A home inspection is a visual assessment of a property’s condition, covering major systems and components like roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, foundation, and structure. It helps buyers make informed decisions and sellers identify issues before listing.
Q2: How long does a home inspection take? Most inspections take between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size, age, and condition of the home. Larger or older homes may take longer to evaluate thoroughly. The creation of the report usually takes as long as the inspection. We strive to provide you with an electronic copy of the inspection on the same day of the inspection and delivered no later than within 24 hours of the inspection.
Q3: Do I need to be present for the inspection? While it’s not required, we strongly recommend that buyers attend the inspection — especially toward the end — so we can walk through the findings, explain potential issues, and answer your questions in person.
Q4: What does the inspection report include? You'll receive a detailed written report with: A summary of findings Notes on safety hazards or needed repairs Photos of relevant issues Maintenance suggestions Reports are typically delivered within 24 hours of the inspection.
Q5: What areas of the home are inspected? We inspect all major areas of a home, including: Roof, attic, and visible insulation Foundation and crawl spaces Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems Doors, windows, and exterior siding Interior walls, ceilings, floors, and stairways Garage and driveway
Q6: Can you fix the problems you find during the inspection? No. As a professional home inspection service, we do not offer repair services for any issues noted in our reports. Doing so would be a conflict of interest and could call our objectivity and integrity into question. Our role is to provide an unbiased assessment so you can make fully informed decisions about your next steps.
Q7: Can you recommend contractors or specialists to make repairs? While we may be familiar with professionals in the area, we do not formally endorse or recommend specific contractors. We encourage clients to seek out licensed, insured professionals and obtain multiple estimates before moving forward with any repairs. This helps ensure objectivity and avoids any appearance of bias or referral arrangements.
Q8: Do you inspect for mold, radon, or pests? We offer radon testing as an optional service. While we may note visible signs of mold or pests, in-depth testing or treatment should be done by a licensed specialist in those areas.
Q9: Can a home fail an inspection? No — a home inspection isn’t a pass/fail process. It simply provides a professional, unbiased evaluation of the home’s current condition to help you make informed decisions.
Q10: Do you offer inspections for sellers? Yes! Our pre-listing inspections help homeowners identify and resolve issues before putting their house on the market, reducing the chance of surprises during buyer negotiations.
Q11: Do you inspect detached garages, sheds, or other outbuildings? Yes, we can inspect detached structures such as garages, workshops, barns, or storage sheds upon request. These inspections are offered as an optional add-on service for an additional fee, and include the same attention to structural integrity, roofing, electrical systems, and safety concerns as the main home.
Q12: Can you open walls, locked doors, or move personal belongings during the inspection? No. Home inspections are non-invasive by definition — we only inspect what is visibly accessible at the time of the visit. We do not open up walls, break locks, move furniture or storage, or perform any action that could damage the property. That said, we do use tools such as thermal imaging and moisture meters to help identify potential hidden issues when appropriate, without causing harm to the home.
Q13: Do you inspect swimming pools? While we can provide a basic visual overview of a pool’s condition, we are not certified pool inspectors and do not perform detailed pool system evaluations. For a comprehensive assessment of pumps, filters, plumbing, and safety features, we recommend having the pool inspected by a licensed pool professional.
Q14: Do you inspect septic systems? We do not perform full septic system inspections. While we may note signs of potential issues (such as odors or drainage concerns), a comprehensive evaluation of your septic tank, drain field, or pumping needs should be performed by a licensed septic professional.
Q15: Do you inspect private wells or water systems? We are not licensed to inspect private well systems or perform water quality testing. However, we may note visible issues with wellheads or pressure tanks. For a complete assessment, we recommend contacting a certified well or water systems specialist.
Q16: Do you inspect chimneys or fireplaces? We provide a basic visual review of fireplaces and chimney exteriors, looking for obvious signs of wear or damage. However, a full internal inspection — especially for older homes or active fireplaces — should be conducted by a certified chimney sweep or fireplace technician.
Q17: Do you offer pressure washing services? Yes! We provide professional pressure washing for driveways, sidewalks, patios, siding, decks, and other exterior surfaces. It's a great way to improve your home's curb appeal — especially before listing it for sale or after completing repairs. We tailor the water pressure and techniques to your home’s surface materials to ensure safe and effective cleaning.