I AM BUYING A NEW HOUSE. SHOULD I HAVE IT INSPECTED?
Yes, definitely. New homes have different problems than older existing homes. Most problems relate to items missed, not properly installed, maladjusted or just overlooked. New homes come with a one year builder's warrantee, and the home buyer should have the house inspected prior to the lapse of this warrantee. It is recommended, however, that the new home be inspected before closing, since it may be easier to get the builder to make any necessary modifications before you have moved in.

HOW LONG DOES A HOME INSPECTION TAKE?
A home inspection by Harmony takes anywhere from 1 1/2 to 5 hours depending on the size, age, and condition of the home. A large older home or a "handyman's special" could possibly take even longer. Three to 4 1/2 hours is typical.

DO I NEED TO BE THERE?
It is highly recommended that you be present for the inspection. This way we can answer any questions you
may have.

I DON'T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING, SHOULD I ARRIVE EARLY?
Most home inspectors like to spend the first 1/2 hour or so alone, so they get a general feeling for the condition of the home without any distraction.  Some inspectors schedule clients at a specific time and then arrive early purposely. They do not do this to talk to the owner or Realtor but to be "alone" with the house for a while. Your home inspector will go over everything in detail with you and you will not miss anything by giving him a little head start.

I HAVE A RELATIVE IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS, WHY SHOULDN'T I JUST HAVE THE HOME LOOKED OVER BY HIM? Most contractors will know quite a bit about a home, but may be an expert in certain areas but not others. Home inspectors are trained in assessing all of the many areas of concern in a home. If your relative is a specialist in a certain area and after the inspection, that area comes up as a concern, by all means, have your relative offer his professional advice.

I WANT AN INSPECTION DONE ON A HOME WITH A PRIVATE WELL AND A SEPTIC SYSTEM, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BESIDES THE BASIC HOME INSPECTION?
In Massachusetts, a septic system inspection, known as a Title V inspection, is the responsibility of the Seller and should have already been performed.  Title V inspection is for protection of public health and the environment. A system will either pass or fail, or pass conditionally, regardless of its age. The average life of a septic system is about thirty years,
and may vary widely with type of soil, loading, and whether its been pumped regularly (tanks should be pumped every two years).
These systems can be expensive to replace if the system fails.
Rhode Island has different town and watershed regulations.
The cost for the inspection is on the buyer if not stated otherwise in the offer to purchase.

Private wells can also be a major expense to repair or replace. If the well flow and water quality has not been tested within the last year it is recommended that these tests be performed in addition to the home inspection. 
 
We also takes water samples for quality analysis and hand delivers the water sample to the testing laboratory. The water testing laboratory that is used has extremely timely response with complete results in just a few days.

SHOULD I GET A PUMP TEST?
If you are thinking of buying a house with a private well, your Lender may require a water quantity, or "pump" test. Also, if the well flow has not been checked within the last year or two, a pump test is recommended. The FHA performance standard is that the water supply provide a minimum of 5 gallons per minute of flow over a four hour period for a total of at least 1200 gallons pumped without any observable drop off of flow. The pump test is done during the inspection using a variety hoses, a calibrated water meter, and a water flow gauge.

IS A RADON TEST REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?
WHAT IS RADON? Radon is a radioactive gas that is a byproduct from the decay of naturally occurring uranium deposits in certain underlying rock formations. It has been designated a cancer producing agent by the EPA and corrective action is recommended when radon levels exceed 4 PiC/Liter in indoor air.  A 1998 Harvard University study still rated radon as the #1 health and safety risk in the home, causing a projected 15,000 deaths a year in the US due to lung cancer. We believes getting a radon test is important.

HOW ACCURATE IS THE RADON TEST?
Please note that any testing done before you actually move in will be preliminary in nature. Radon levels may vary according to season, barometric pressure and other factors. It is always recommended that further testing be conducted once you occupy the house. Highest levels in the house can be expected in the winter.

SHOULD I GET A LEAD TEST?
Many homes built before 1978 will contain lead based paint ( the manufacture of lead based paint was banned by the EPA in 1978). You should also realize that there was lead based paint on the shelf for a short time after 1978, so even some post 1978 homes could possibly have lead based paint. The older the home the greater chance that lead paint was used. If you have children under six years of age or are planning to have children you should be concerned about lead. There are several lead inspection companies I recommend.

WHAT ABOUT MOLD TESTING?
Toxic black mold and other molds can be a health hazard and could occur in your home. My experience tells me that most homes may have a very small amount of mold and are generally not a problem unless you have extreme allergies to these substances. There are a few homes I've come across that had a definite and potentially dangerous mold problem, and they are far and few between and usually obvious. We do not perform mold testing, but would refer you out to a specialist if a problem was suspected. If you are a mold sensitive individual, or prone to allergies generally, it may be a good idea to test your new house for the added peace of mind.

WHEN DO I GET THE REPORT?
You will be able to download your report directly from the internet by the next day.  When your report is completed, the report is e-mailed to you.
 
WHAT ABOUT A GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY?
We conducts a limited visual inspection of the premises in accordance with Standards of Practice.  During the course of the inspection it is nearly impossible and not the intent to detect every possible thing that could go wrong in the future, but we hope to provide you with as much information as possible in the short time we are there. Knowing the limitations of the inspection, If you move into your new house and find you are still not satisfied with the work done, we offer a refund of up to the amount of your inspection fee.