A Home Inspection is an analysis of the condition and operation of various systems and elements which are reasonably accessible at the time of our scheduled visit.

An Engineering Assessment or Structural Investigation is an analysis performed by a Registered Professional Engineer, who specializes in home inspection services, to investigate specific problems and target solutions to problems. Many times these problems are discovered during a normal home inspection or a concerned homeowner.

Our firm is also qualified to report on construction defects and conduct forensic engineering investigations to determine the root cause of problems.

A standard non-intrusive visual inspection should cover everything from the roof to the foundation. The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.

It is important for our clients to understand that a home inspection is not a full-proof guarantee or warranty and the home inspectors report may point out the need to further investigate one or more areas of the home. For more detailed information, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has Standards of Practice that outlines what should be covered in your home inspection report.

Buying a home could be the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, you should want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing home before you buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. The report could also identify any immediate unnecessary additional cost that may go unnoticed without the help of a home inspection. After the inspection, you will know more about the home, which will allow you to make major decisions with confidence. Your home inspection report is also a key negotiation tool before you go to closing.

Our company firmly believes it is very important to know what you, as the primary investor, are getting for your money. If you already are a homeowner, a home inspection can identify problems in the making and suggest preventive measures that might help you avoid costly future repairs. If you are planning to sell your home, a home inspection can give you the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.

Sellers can benefit by having their property inspected by a certified home inspector or Registered Professional Engineer prior to placing their real estate on the market. A pre-listing inspection by a competent professional provides the seller with useful information and objective, non-biased opinions regarding the condition of their property allowing the seller an opportunity to make repairs and improvements that will help the sale go as smooth as possible while maximizing their selling price. Home inspections are often one of the contingencies placed in a sales contract that must be satisfied before a sale is final. The pre-listing inspection will allow you to put your best “foot forward” and avoid surprises that could potentially end the transaction.

All consumers are interested in obtaining competitive rates for services rendered. AHIEA offers a wide variety of services and has established a fee structure that has been commended by past clients as they feel they received “their monies worth”. For specifics, the Fee Structure portion of our web site.

This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction, proper installation, maintenance and home safety and they are intimately familiar with how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as why they fail.

Professional home inspection is a unique skill like no other and our professional engineers and certified home inspectors develop instinctual abilities to recognize problems. This professional instinct develops after extensive training and lots of experience doing inspections. Our firm routinely performs home inspections and engineering assessments for contractors, professional tradespersons, realtors and engineers who, although they are familiar with the industry, want to hire a professional home inspector to inspect their future investment before they make a purchase.

Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may have an effect on their judgment. For accurate information, it is best to obtain an unbiased, third-party opinion by a professional in the field of home inspection. Again, AHIEA prides themselves in providing that desired, unbiased assessment for all of their clients.

Many people rely on referrals from friends, business acquaintances, their realtor, or national organizations such as ASHI to recommend a home inspector. You can also find home inspectors in WV by visiting www.wvahi.com and using their “Search by County” tool.

If you would like to have a Civil/Structural Engineer perform your home inspection then look no further. Our company is one of the elite few in the state that offers this service. As a home buyer or investor, you have goals, you want to be well informed, and you want to make a wise investment. Choose a home inspection company that understands your needs and will work with you to help you meet your goals. Choosing a home inspection company that is licensed to also practice engineering is a wise choice. If you want your home inspection conducted by a licensed Registered Professional Engineer (PE), be sure that your home inspection report will be stamped with the home inspector’s licensed PE seal.

Typically, a home inspector is contacted immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Before you sign, be sure there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.

This is highly recommended, although it’s not required. If you elect to attend, you will be able to observe the inspector and ask questions as you learn about the condition of the home and how to maintain it.

It is important for you to understand how the home works from a technical standpoint as well as allowing you to see first-hand the conditions that will be described in the detailed home inspection report. If you have any particular concerns about the property, this is the time to get answers. A quality home inspector will encourage questions and take the time to explain things off the checklist so that you can be more comfortable with your decision to purchase the home. For that reason alone, it's important that you intend the inspection and make sure the inspector is available for a reasonable amount of follow-up consultation.

We do understand that sometimes you cannot not be there and our firm specializes in servicing out-of-area clients and can make the process seamless from e-mailing your report the day of the inspection to accepting credit card payments. The entire process can be handled via electronic communications and you will have the opportunity to discuss your report with the inspector.

Most inspections take about three hours. These times may vary depending on the size, age & condition of the home.

An engineering assessment typically takes less than an hour, however due to the complex nature of the reports and the references necessary, these reports are often sent to the client via mail or e-mail within a few days of the inspection.

Your personalized inspection report will be presented to our client in a nice 3-ring binder which is typically given to you on-site, immediately following the inspection if you attend. AHIEA reports are highly detailed in documentation, while still being easy to read and understand. When selecting a firm to perform your inspection, be sure that your home inspection report will be a detailed written report, not simply a hand written checklist. A checklist-type report may be void of details and will likely not provide all of the information and engineering advice first time home buyers need.

No house is perfect. If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. If your budget is tight, or if you don’t want to become involved in future repair work, this information will be important to you. If major problems are found, a seller may agree to make repairs.

Definitely. Obtaining a full home inspection will complete the process with your new home purchase, greatly increasing your knowledge of the property, allowing you to negotiate and sign the dotted line with confidence. WVAHI is confident that you will discover many items about your new home from the inspector’s written report and verbal consultation, and will have that information for your future reference.