F.A.Q.’s

WHAT DOES A CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE?

  • Roof, vents, flashing and trim
  • Gutters and downspouts
  • Skylight, chimney, and other roof penetrations
  • Decks, stoops, porches, walkways and railings
  • Eaves, soffits, and fascia
  • Grading and drainage
  • Basement, foundation, and crawlspace
  • Water penetration and foundation movement
  • Heating system
  • Cooling system
  • Main water shut-off valves
  • Water heating system
  • Interior plumbing fixtures and faucets
  • Drainage sump pump with accessible float
  • Electrical service line and meter box
  • Main disconnect and service amperage
  • Electrical panels, breakers, and fuses
  • Grounds and bonding
  • GFCIs and AFCIs
  • Fireplace damper door and hearth
  • Insulation and ventilation
  • Garage doors, safety sensors, and openers
  • And much more!

WHAT IS A RADON GAS TEST?

We offer Radon inspections for your new home or your current residence. Read on to learn more about the potential dangers of Radon.

Radon is a radioactive gas that arises from the natural radioactive decay of radium, which is a natural decay product of uranium. Scientifically, “radon” is known to be radon-222, the most abundant isotope of the element radon. The terms radon and radon-222 are often used interchangeably when referring to the indoor radon issue.

As a noble gas, radon is colorless, odorless and chemically inert and cannot be detected by human senses. Also, since radon is not chemically reactive with most materials, it will move freely as a gas. Radon has a radiological half-life of 3.8 days, and can move substantial distances from its point of origin.

The first four radioactive isotopes formed as radon decays are polonium-218, lead-214, bismuth-214 and polonium-214. They are commonly referred to as “radon daughters” or “radon progeny.” These short-lived isotopes are not gases but are chemically active solids. They are present in any environment where radon is found and, like radon, cannot be detected by human senses.

The earth is the source of all radon gas in our atmosphere. Uranium is a natural part of the earth’s crust. Therefore, radium and radon are also naturally present (as noted above). Since uranium and radium concentrations vary throughout the earth’s crust, radon concentrations will also vary. The amount of radon gas that escapes into the atmosphere is dependent on the depth at which it is formed and the permeability of the surrounding earth. Radon formed in the top 10 meters of soil and rock provides the largest component of radon entering the atmosphere. Because they are metallic particulates, radon daughters formed in the soil will not escape.

The second most important contributor to atmospheric radon is emanation from groundwater. Underground radon is readily carried in groundwater and when this groundwater surfaces, most of the radon is released to the atmosphere.

Other sources of atmospheric radon are very small contributors and are largely due to human activities. For example, there are radium-rich industrial by-products spread upon the earth, and sometimes construction materials are produced from raw materials that contain uranium or radium.

Worldwide, over 2.5 billion curies of radon are emitted annually into the atmosphere. Atmospheric dilution results in a typical outdoor level of between 0.2 and 0.7 picocuries per liter (pCi/l). However, wide variations do exist.

(The above information was taken from the Introduction to INDOOR RADON IN MICHIGAN: Residential Survey Summary Report, EQC 1625 (8/97). To request a copy of this report, call the DEQ Indoor Radon Program at 1-800-RADON GAS/1-800-723-6642, or 517-335-8037.)

Have Your Home Tested. It’s the only way to know if you have elevated Radon. It’s worth it to you and your family! If you would like us to do a Radon Test, call 616-820-9852.

WHAT IS THE 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE?

Let me start off by making you a BIG Promise. When I inspect your home and you are not 100% satisfied with my inspection – you pay absolutely nothing for the inspection.

I am so confident in my inspections that I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is.

You see, I understand this is an important step in your life. This guarantee is just one more way to demonstrate my desire and commitment to meet and exceed your expectations. Also, I want to ensure you have an enjoyable real estate experience.

So at Shoemaker Inspections, I offer a simple, no weasel words guarantee. Attend your West Michigan home inspection and if for any reason you’re not satisfied with the “Quality” of the home inspection service, tell me before receiving your report and we’ll either make it right, or you don’t pay the home inspection fee!

How can I offer a 100% Satisfaction Gaurantee?

First, I do each inspection myself that means you have the owner of the business doing your inspection.

Second, I don’t rush! I do 3 home inspections every day, however, I work late hours as I offer a 5 p.m. appointment time. This allows me the time to do a thorough inspection of your new home.

WHAT IS A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION?

  • Move In Certified is an inspection report initiated by and paid for by the seller.
  • The report is no different than a buyer’s inspection report
  • The report is uploaded online to Fetch Report where it can be viewed by prospective buyers and their agents.
  • We help Market your Home!
  • We provide each listing with a Yard sign attracting potential buyers and directing them to look up the report online.
  • We provide each Agent or Seller with a Move In Certified Logo to add to online or other marketing material.
  • We provide online look up for the inspection report, so the agents and buyers can view the report online.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO THE HOME BUYER WITH A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION?

  • The inspection is done already.
  • The inspection is paid for by the seller.
  • The report provides a more accurate third-party view of the condition of the home prior to making an offer.
  • A seller inspection eliminates surprise defects.
  • Problems are corrected, or at least acknowledged, prior to making an offer on the home.
  • A seller inspection reduces the need for negotiations and 11th-hour re-negotiations.
  • The report might assist in acquiring financing.
  • A seller inspection allows the buyer to sweeten the offer without increasing the offering price by waiving inspections.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO THE REAL ESTATE AGENT WITH A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION?

  • Agents can recommend Shoemaker Inspections LLC, as opposed to being at the mercy of buyer’s choices in inspectors.
  • Sellers can schedule the inspections at seller’s convenience, with little effort on the part of agents.
  • Sellers can assist inspectors during the inspections, something normally not done during buyers’ inspections.
  • Sellers can have inspectors correct any misstatements in the reports before they are generated.
  • The reports help sellers see their homes through the eyes of a critical third-party, thus making sellers more realistic about asking price.
  • Agents are alerted to any immediate safety issues found, before other agents and potential buyers tour the home.
  • Repairs made ahead of time might make homes show better.
  • Reports hosted online entice potential buyers to tour the homes.
  • The reports provide third-party, unbiased opinions to offer to potential buyers.
  • Clean reports can be used as marketing tools to help sell the homes.
  • The reports might relieve prospective buyers’ unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.
  • Seller inspections eliminate “buyer’s remorse” that sometimes occurs just after an inspection.
  • Seller inspections reduce the need for negotiations and 11th-hour re-negotiations.
  • Seller inspections relieve the agent of having to hurriedly procure repair estimates or schedule repairs.
  • The reports might encourage buyers to waive their inspection contingencies.
  • Deals are less likely to fall apart, the way they often do, when buyer’s inspections unexpectedly reveal last-minute problems.
  • Reports provide full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO THE SELLER WITH A PRE-LISTING INSPECTION?

The seller can choose Shoemaker Inspections LLC rather than be at the mercy of the buyer’s choice of inspector.The seller can schedule the inspections at the seller’s convenience.It might alert the seller to any items of immediate concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.The seller can assist the inspector during the inspection, something normally not done during a buyer’s inspection.The seller can have the inspector correct any misstatements in the inspection report before it is generated.The report can help the seller realistically price the home if problems exist.The report can help the seller substantiate a higher asking price if problems don’t exist or have been corrected.A seller inspection reveals problems ahead of time, which might make the home show better. It gives the seller time to make repairs and shop for competitive contractors.permits the seller to attach repair estimates or paid invoices to the inspection report.removes over-inflated buyer-procured estimates from the negotiation table.The report might alert the seller to any immediate safety issues found, before agents and visitors tour the home. The report provides a third-party, unbiased opinion to offer to potential buyers.A seller inspection permits a clean home inspection report to be used as a marketing tool.A seller inspection is the ultimate gesture in forthrightness on the part of the seller.The report might relieve a prospective buyer’s unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.A seller inspection lightens negotiations and 11th-hour re-negotiations.The report might encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.The deal is less likely to fall apart, the way they often do, when a buyer’s inspection unexpectedly reveals a last-minute problem.The report provides full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.