Your Local Home Inspector

How long has the Home Inspector been in business and how many inspections has he done in that amount of time?

In April of 2002 Marvin Lewis and Steve Nunley retired from one of the highly noted technology based companies in Austin and purchased the Pillar To Post Austin franchise area. Since then we have applied our previous construction knowledge from earlier construction related businesses with our customer relations experience gained from working in the high end computer industry and built a team of knowledgeable, courteous, fulltime and detail oriented inspectors that are proud to serve you with your home purchase, home sale, investment purchase or warranty inspection needs. From the beginning, we have required our inspectors to carry E & O Insurance, now the Texas Real Estate Commission requires mandatory coverage as of 9/1/07, nice to know we are 5 years ahead of our time in this area of the business and others. 

Numerous years in business may make you feel good that the inspector will be with you in the future when you need another inspection but if he's only done 12 inspections during his several years in business that's not a good thing! Your home buying decision is much too important to be a learning experience for a part-time inspector. Pillar To Post is the ^#1 Home Inspection Company in North America five years running, a claim that no other inspection company/franchise can make. 

 Will your inspector walk on the roof, crawl in the crawlspace, and climb into the attic?

Your inspector should be able and willing to go into the areas that have to be seen to protect the client. There are times when those locations cannot be inspected in their entirety due to the risk to the inspector, risk to the components, or seasonal limitations. In Texas the licensed inspector is not allowed to disassemble components or otherwise be intrusive to the home, but for the inspector not to inspect those areas because he doesn't want to, is scared of the dark, or is too large to fit into those areas is unacceptable. For our customers, Pillar To Post inspectors go places where others fear to step.

How many inspections a day can you do?

Some local inspectors try to squeeze in as many inspections as possible (sometimes up to 4 a day), our staff and inspectors do NOT adhere to this policy. Each of our inspectors agrees to do a maximum of (2) inspections a day, standard inspection scheduling start times are 8:30am or 2:00pm, average inspection time is approximately 2-1/2 to 3 hours, (we don’t do 45 minute inspections). Inspection times will vary on size, age and occupied or vacant status of the property.

Does the report include photographs, moisture checks?

Many times the report will have descriptions of damage or defects in locations of the home that only the inspector was able to get to, like the peak of the roof or the far corner of a crawl space. When you have pictures of these areas in your report, you can understand the extent and location of the damage. Pictures also help make repairs and getting estimates much easier when there is a photograph. Our standard Pillar To Post inspection includes photographs, and though not required by the Texas Standards of Practice for inspectors, our Austin area inspectors will also perform moisture meter checks in areas of high risk or that look suspect as an integral part of each home inspection, we always strive to give you as much value as possible.

When will the completed report be done and can it be emailed?

Often decision time is critical. You want to be sure you will receive the entire report in time to read it, understand it, and respond in time. Some inspection companies in our area make you wait for days for your report. Our Pillar To Post inspector can hand you the neatly printed report on-site, as the inspection is completed, so he can sit down and review it with you while still on site, where it is easiest to answer any questions you may have or may want the inspector to show you the issue. For our out of town investors and home purchasers, we will be able to send you the report in a standard PDF format file in the evening by email to reduce time to view. Each on-site reviewed home inspection comes in a handsome presentation binder and includes a home improvement CD, a cost guide for upgrades/repairs and other items, all of which becomes a valuable owner’s manual for your home to help track changes, repairs, and maintenance needs.

Will the inspector allow you to attend the inspection?

There is no substitute for being at the inspection. The report we provide is only a part of the inspection. We strongly encourage our customers to attend the inspection out briefing, if they can, to ask questions, and become more familiar with your home, you'll gain greater comfort and confidence in your buying decision. We'll go through the home with you, answering your questions, and making sure you understand and are comfortable with explanations.

Does your inspector have experience in homes similar to the one you are having inspected?

All homes have things in common, but a brand new house in Austin has issues that are different from a Bastrop home with “character” from the early 1900’s. Only someone who has walked the walk and crawled the crawl numerous times in homes similar to yours can find those items that are important and specific to your age, size, and style of home. The training and experience our Pillar To Post inspectors have gives them insight into houses similar to yours, so they know what to look for and can easily compare your house and its components with other houses of similar age and construction!

What services do you offer?