Frequently Asked Questions
Inspection
Home inspection reports are not public records. It is shared between the inspector and the one paying for the inspection (usually the buyer) to ensure privacy. However, the buyer can decide to share the inspection report with their realtor or other parties.
GreenWorks is open 365 days a year because we are inclusive of all cultures and religions. Therefore, team members are available to work outside of their respective holidays.
Ideally, you should schedule an inspection for a new construction during the construction phase. But if you don’t or can’t, you should get a home inspection before closing the deal on a new construction. This will let you know if the property meets all your requirements and does not lack anything.
Another inspection we recommend for a new construction is one before the builder’s warranty ends. That is usually a year. So, getting an 11-month warranty will tell you about all the issues, and you can discuss them with your builder and get those fixed before the warranty ends.
Home inspection contingency is a clause in the contract that gives you, a buyer, negotiation leverage. If you find significant issues during the inspection that you are not comfortable dealing with, you can renegotiate or even withdraw the offer without repercussions.
Usually, the one who pays for the home inspection is present during the inspection. For example, if it is a buyer inspection, they and their real estate agent will be present. As per the seller, they may be present, but it depends on what the dealing parties have agreed upon.
If the seller is paying for the home inspection, then they and their real estate agent will be present during the inspection. Usually, these inspections are conducted before the property is listed; thus, the name pre-listing inspection is used.
Ideally, the buyer gets a re-inspection from certified home inspectors, like those at GreenWorks, to verify all the repairs. The buyer should also actively take part and verify for themselves if all repairs are to their satisfaction – because they will be the one residing in the home.
It depends.
If you’re buying a relatively old home, the insurance company may require a home inspection. And although that may not be the case for newly built homes, you can never be sure. It’s always better to stay on the safe side and get a home inspection (even if it’s a 4-point inspection) before applying for insurance.
Although both are important during the buying process, they are not the same. A home inspection checks the physical condition of the property and identifies potential issues that may need repair.
An appraisal, on the other hand, determines the property’s value against the market backdrop.
Yes, in most of the cases, you can get a home warranty without a home inspection. But it’s better to know if the home you’re buying has any potential issues that you might want included in the warranty.
Yes, we recommend a sewer line inspection for your home, whether you have a public sewer or not. Because the part that goes from your home to the public connection is your responsibility and you need to make sure it is in good condition for years to come.
Absolutely! Radon is a colorless, odorless gas linked to lung cancer. Recent studies have found increasing levels of radon in Texas homes, making it a growing concern. The EPA estimates radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the U.S.
Get a radon inspection to know if its concentration is safe for your family because safety is always a priority!
Our radon inspections are thorough and reliable! Here’s what you get:
- Initial Consultation: We’ll discuss your concerns and explain the process.
- Professional Testing: Using state-of-the-art Radon Eye Pros devices, we conduct detailed radon level tests. These devices are known for their high accuracy and fast results.
- Comprehensive Report: You’ll receive an easy-to-understand report with detailed results and recommendations if action is needed.
Texas doesn’t require specific licensing for radon testing, but we go the extra mile! At GreenWorks Inspections, our team holds NRPP (National Radon Proficiency Program) certifications, ensuring we meet the highest standards of expertise and reliability. You can trust our certified professionals to provide the best radon inspection service possible.
Environmental
Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lead-based paint in 1978. Homes built after that are most likely free from this harmful paint. However, lead-based paint may still be present in older homes. If you are buying a home built before or around 1978, you should get a lead inspection to confirm you and your family are safe from major lead-related health issues.
There are a few signs that you should look out for if you live in a home built prior to the 1978 ban. First is alligatoring. If you notice scaly patterns on the wall paint, like an alligator, the paint likely contains lead. Another sign is dust-like residue. When lead-based paint rubs off, it produces a chalky texture.
However, as years pass, the home may be repainted, and the lead layer may be behind several layers of non-lead paint. If exposed due to flaking or any other reason, the lead paint can still harm your family. That’s why you need professional lead testing that can check several layers of paint for lead.
Yes, radon levels are usually higher in winter than in other seasons. One of the reasons for this increase is sealed homes during winter. Trapped air –with radon– cannot escape, which increases the radon concentration inside the house. Another reason is the stack effect. During winter, warmer air rises and cold air from the outside and ground rushes to fill that gap. The air that seeps in from the ground has a higher radon concentration, increasing indoor radon levels.
Yes, indoor plants (houseplants) do improve air quality. They release oxygen and keep the air pleasantly humid for healthier, breathable indoor air. Houseplants also absorb pollutants, keeping the air cleaner. Peace Lily, Bamboo Palm, and Gerbera Daisy are among the most recommended air-purifying houseplants.
Engineering
One of the most common questions we receive is how to identify whether a wall is load-bearing. You can check the building plan, if available, to see which wall(s) is load-bearing.
You can also verify by checking the orientation of the wall. If the ceiling joists are perpendicular to the ceiling joists, then the wall is most probably load-bearing. Also, the location of the wall can tell you if it is load-bearing. All outer walls and inner walls near the center of the home are usually load-bearing.
If you’re still unsure, contact us to discuss your property’s layout, and we can tell you which walls are load-bearing.
The upfront cost for steel framing is higher than for wood framing. However, steel framing has its benefits that justify this higher upfront cost. For example, steel framing is more durable and resistant to damage.
If you’re about to start framing, we suggest you contact our experts to discuss all the factors that go into choosing the right framing for your property.