Find a home inspector in Palo Alto, CA

Find home inspectors in Palo Alto, CA

Find home inspectors in Palo Alto, CA

Confirm your location to see the best home inspectors near you.
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Find home inspectors in Palo Alto, CA

Confirm your location to see the best home inspectors near you.
Zip code

Top 10 home inspectors in Palo Alto, CA

Homeowners agree: these Palo Alto home inspectors are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Amador Valley Home Inspections

Amador Valley Home Inspections

New on HomeGuide
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Amador Valley Home Inspections, based in Pleasanton, CA, is a trusted home inspection company owned by Greg Kinney. With over 30 years of construction experience and a decade in home inspections, Kinney offers expert, same-day assessments on the structural components of residential properties, including single-family homes and condominiums. The company is committed to providing honest, fair, and unbiased opinions on overall home conditions, ensuring high-level customer satisfaction.
Aria Home Inspection

Aria Home Inspection

New on HomeGuide
5+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Founded in 2021, Aria Home Inspection, located in San Mateo, CA, offers reliable home inspection and floor plan drawing services. With over two years of professional experience, their team has established a strong reputation for their services throughout the Bay Area. For those in need of a thorough home inspection, Aria Home Inspection is a trusted choice.
Professional Real Estate Inspections

Professional Real Estate Inspections

New on HomeGuide
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Professional Real Estate Inspections, founded in 1987 in Pleasanton, CA, provides comprehensive home inspection services. They specialize in evaluating major components and systems of properties, including structural and drainage inspections. They also offer improvement and repair services for foundation cracks and sloping floors. With a team of professional home inspectors led by Jim Mello, the company prides itself on delivering comprehensive reports to aid clients in making informed decisions.
United Chimney Inc

United Chimney Inc

New on HomeGuide
49+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
United Chimney Services, founded in 1977, is a family-owned business based in Atherton, California. This full-service masonry and general contractor specializes in chimney cleaning, building, and rebuilding, serving the San Francisco, Peninsula, and South Bay areas. The team, which comprises highly trained professionals, is committed to ensuring client safety through regular fireplace and chimney maintenance. United Chimney Services caters for both small and large projects, offering a range of services including custom-built bottom fireplace dampers, chimney caps, firebox repairs, and chimney relining. They also perform real estate inspection
ARSEN ELECTRIC, INC

ARSEN ELECTRIC, INC

New on HomeGuide
9+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
ARSEN Electric, Inc., founded in 2015, is a trusted electrical company servicing Sunnyvale, San Jose, and surrounding areas. They are experts in a variety of electrical projects, providing both materials and labor for jobs ranging from EV charging station installation to lighting retrofitting for commercial businesses. ARSEN Electric, Inc. is committed to delivering on time and on budget, ensuring customer satisfaction with their experience, skill, and quality customer service.
Adept Builders Inc.

Adept Builders Inc.

New on HomeGuide
14+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Adept Builders Inc., founded in 2012, is a top-tier construction company based in San Jose, CA, serving both residential and commercial clients. Known for their affordable dream homes and commercial buildings, Adept Builders prides itself on quality construction and customer satisfaction. Led by founder and CEO Tom Nguyen, the team believes in building more than just structures - they aim to build a family-like relationship with their clients, treating every project as a partnership.
Elite Home & Commercial Property Inspections, LLC

Elite Home & Commercial Property Inspections, LLC

New on HomeGuide
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Elite Home & Commercial Property Inspections, LLC, located in Pleasanton, CA, offers a range of inspection services for homes, roofs, pools, spas, and commercial properties. Their team of experienced inspectors aid both buyers and sellers in identifying potential issues such as leaks and structural damage, making informed decisions about their property investments. The company is known for providing comprehensive reports on the property's major components and systems within 24-48 hours of the inspection. They are OSHA certified and affiliated with the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, reflecting their commitment to quality service and community
Inspect.Net. Inc.

Inspect.Net. Inc.

New on HomeGuide
34+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Inspect.Net, Inc., founded in 1992 and based in Hayward, CA, is a leading home inspection agency with over 25 years of experience. It offers comprehensive home inspections, mold sampling, asbestos testing, and industrial/commercial inspections to clients in surrounding areas, including Fremont, Union City, and Newark. Owner Jeff Bond, a general contractor and industrial engineer, has completed over 14,000 inspections. The company prides itself on delivering peace of mind to its clients by providing detailed reports with high-resolution images, backed by extensive expertise and innovative technology like Google Glass.
Specialty Inspections

Specialty Inspections

New on HomeGuide
23+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Founded in 2003, Specialty Inspections, based in Pleasanton, CA, offers comprehensive property inspection packages including home, termite, roof, pool, chimney, and sewer inspections. As a full-service licensed general contractor with a qualified team, they not only conduct inspections but also handle repair projects. Formerly known as Specialty Termite, Inc., they've expanded their services beyond termite inspections to cover a wide range of potential property issues, offering a complete solution for realtors, homebuyers, and home sellers.
415 Design + Build

415 Design + Build

New on HomeGuide
15+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
415 Design + Build, founded in 2011, is a full-service design and build firm based in Brisbane, CA. Known for their remarkable attention to detail and non-compromising quality, they strive to deliver excellence in their projects, regardless of complexity. The team specializes in remodeling and custom home construction, handling everything from design preferences to permits and inspections with a solution-oriented approach. They are dedicated to making the design and build process as hassle-free as possible, respecting the busy lives of their clients. Their well-coordinated team, led by Ken and Cole, is committed to creating innovative, eclect

Your Home Inspection questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.

How much does a home inspection cost in my area?

A home inspection costs $300 to $500 on average, depending on the property's size and age, location, services rendered, and if there are freestanding structures. Specialty inspections cost $100 to $300 more for testing things such as mold, asbestos, radon, lead, or termites.

A pre-drywall inspection costs $100 to $400 on average. This inspection is optional but can help catch issues before the walls are up, when it's easier to identify problems.

Who pays for a residential home inspection?

The home buyer typically pays for the cost of a private home inspection. The buyer should hire a real estate inspector as soon as the seller accepts the offer. After the inspection, buyers may accept the house "as is," ask the seller to pay for repairs, renegotiate, or back out of the sale and forfeit the earnest money.

What do licensed home inspectors look for?

Certified home inspectors check the roof, foundation, ceilings, windows, attic, crawl space, fireplace, doors, decks and porches. House inspectors also cover the plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning systems. Building inspectors only look at what is visible and accessible.

Some home inspectors offer specialty testing for mold and asbestos for an extra $100 to $300 on average.

What are home inspectors not allowed to do?

Home inspectors are not allowed to check for code violations, permits, determine the house's insurability or value, move furniture or appliances, condemn the property, issue a certificate of occupancy, or survey the properties boundary lines. Inspections also do not include fire and smoke detectors, hot tubs and swimming pools, alarm systems, and sprinkler systems.

How long does a home inspection take?

A home inspection takes 2 to 3 hours on average, depending on the house's size and age and if there are freestanding structures included. Property inspectors provide their final inspection report within 24 hours after inspecting.

Should you get a home inspection on new construction?

Yes, buyers should always get a home inspection on a new construction home. New homes are not always built to code and can have problems. Some buyers also get an early pre-drywall inspection to ensure the beams, posts, studs, insulation, and home systems are installed correctly.

Should I use a home inspector recommended by my realtor?

Hiring a home inspector recommended by your realtor may pose a conflict of interest. The inspector(s) may have a vested interest in helping the realtor close the sale, so they remain on the agent’s list of recommended inspectors.

How to find and hire a good home inspector?

To find the best home inspectors in your area:

  • Get at least three estimates from building inspectors to compare.
  • Ask for references from their past customers.
  • Verify their license and insurance.
  • Look for residential home inspectors certified with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), or the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).
  • Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
  • Ask about their warranties and guarantees.
  • Ask for a contract in writing upfront.
  • Avoid making large payments upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for work completed.

What questions to ask a home inspector before hiring?

Once you have a shortlist of top-rated home inspectors, ask the following questions before hiring:

  • How long have you been in the property inspection business?
  • What types of homes do you inspect?
  • How many homes have you inspected?
  • What do you check? What don't you check?
  • How much do you charge?
  • Can I see a sample inspection report?
  • Can you provide me with a list of references?
  • Can I be present during the inspection?
  • Are you licensed and insured?
  • How long will the inspection take?
  • Can you provide me a written estimate?
  • Do I pay after the inspection? What payment methods do you accept?
  • What do I need to provide to get started?

What questions to ask a home inspector during the inspection?

Once you've read home inspector reviews and hired a professional, ask the following questions during the inspection:

  • Do any areas need a follow-up inspection?
  • What are your biggest concerns about this house? How much would it cost to fix?
  • Is there anything critical I need to fix before moving in?
  • What would you fix if you were buying this house?
  • Are these issues normal wear and tear?
  • What else could go wrong?
  • Is the roof in good condition?
  • Do any fire, water, health, or safety hazards exist?
  • Are the trees on the property a potential hazard?

Reviews for Palo Alto home inspectors

Recent success stories from people in the Palo Alto area.
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