Bickham Consulting FAQ
- Why do I need a home inspection?
- Real estate is like any other material object. It degrades with time, wear and tear, lack of maintenance, etc. Prior to making a major real estate investment, it is prudent to have a thorough evaluation of the property you are considering for purchase. By inspecting a property, you will have analyzed and quantified the risks associated with purchasing the property, and subsequently be able to quantify the cost of repairs or items that require replacement.
It is extremely prudent to invest in an inspection, as it can save the owner thousands -- even tens of thousands -- of dollars by making an inspection investment of just a few hundred dollars.
- If my home is brand new, do I still need a home inspection?
- Yes, new construction should be inspected for any mistakes or errors made by the builder. Using an automobile analogy, the home has never been "road tested." It is important to check all the systems, ensure they are operational, detect any deficiencies prior to the expiration of the builder's warranty, and request any needed repairs.
- Do you provide pictures?
- Yes, we provide photos to clarify and better communicate the report.
- What is included in the inspection?
- Click here to see what an inspection covers.
Click here to see a sample report. (Please note that actual reports include property photos.)
- Do you provide estimates for repairs?
- Inspectors are excluded from the repair process by law, but we do help to provide context for the repairs.
- When will I receive the report?
- Reports will be emailed between 10 a.m. and noon the day following the inspection, with few exceptions, once the client has paid for the report. We provide a verbal review of the property with pictures at the end of the inspection.
- What payment methods do you accept?
- We accept either cash or checks at the time of the appointment. We also provide clients with a Zelle link for bank-to-bank payments through the Zelle system.
- Do you test for mold?
- We do not test for mold. However, we partner with a third party environmental specialty service provider who we will refer as part of our service.
- Do you test for lead paint?
- No, we do not test for lead paint.
- Do you inspect pools?
- We do not inspect pools, however we do partner with a pool service company to join us at inspections upon request. (They charge a small service fee.)
- Do you inspect sprinkler systems?
- Yes, we do.
- Do you have a cancellation charge?
- No, we do not. However, we do request that we be notified as soon as possible if an inspection must be rescheduled or canceled.
- Do you provide foundation measurement reports?
- Yes, we do. North Texas foundations can be tricky and difficult to diagnose and homeowners need to pay close attention to them. Whether you have owned your home for a while, or you just recently purchased, having your foundation inspected is a very wise decision.
Utilizing the Seven Witnesses® approach to foundation inspection, Mr. Bickham will measure your foundation as well as check each of the Seven Witnesses® to give his opinion as to whether your home has more than normal foundation issues, or is simply experiencing normal movement for a North Texas home.
Oftentimes foundation companies try to sell homeowners major foundation work when it is not necessarily needed. By having an objective consultation performed, you will have the peace of mind you need to determine what to do next.
Click Here to watch our Introduction to the Seven Witnesses® video to learn more.
- How long has Mr. Bickham been inspecting properties?
- Mr. Bickham has been in the inspection field for 30+ years. He has personally inspected over 18,000 properties, and he has overseen inspections of an additional 2,000 properties. He is one of the five most experienced inspectors in the business today.
- What affiliations / designations does Mr. Bickham have?
- Mr. Bickham is a licensed Texas Real Estate Commission inspector. This is the key license held by all inspectors in Texas. His license number is 813, indicating that he entered the business in its nascent years, when the industry was first formalized and license designations were first granted by the state in 1986. He is the Founding President of TPREIA North Texas.
- Should I attend the inspection?
- Yes, we encourage clients to come to the property as a learning opportunity to hear what was found during the inspection. However, it is not necessary to be in the home for the entire inspection. If it is not possible to be present during the inspection, we encourage clients to at least be present at the end so they can hear the summary of the findings.
- What DOESN'T a home inspection include?
- Inspectors are generalists, not specialists. They are licensed for the purpose of finding and reporting safety issues, items considered deficient, items noted as defective by TREC standards of practice and items currently working but near the end of life.
Having said the above, inspectors are not code inspectors, nor are they required to determine how long items will last into the future.
- What do you charge?
- Our pricing varies according to the square footage of the property to be inspected. Commercial property inspections are bid on a case by case basis.
- Do you inspect security systems?
- We partner with a security firm that inspects security systems.
- Do you perform re-inspections after repairs have been made? If so, what do you charge?
- Yes, we do perform re-inspections to ensure that repairs have been made. The price varies according to the nature of the re-inspection and size of the property.
- Do you go up on the roof to inspect it?
- In most cases, yes. However, if a roof is wet from rain or too steep to walk on, this will be noted in the report. Most of the time, we are able to walk on the roof to check its condition.
- Do you go into the crawl space to inspect it?
- Yes, we enter the crawl space to inspect it.
- How long does the inspection take?
- An inspection usually takes at least two hours to complete, but again, this varies with the size of the home. Needless to say, the larger the home, the more time it takes to complete the inspection.
- Do you inspect for wood destroying insects?
- Yes, we do inspect for wood destroying insects.
- What if I have follow up questions?
- We are always available for your follow up questions via phone or email and look forward to answering them.
