FAQ's - Another Look Inspections, LLC

Before you become a client you may have questions about the process of home inspection. If you need an answer right away or can't find the answer here, pick up the phone and we'll
be happy to talk with you and answer your questions! 636-327-6950.

What areas do you serve?

How do I set up a home inspection?

How much notice do you require?

How long will the inspection take?

What's involved... what's covered?

Why should I have a home inspection? I've already had a good look around the house.

Do you inspect private waste/septic systems?

Does Another Look Inspections, LLC. do environmental testing?

Do I need to have a new or newer home inspected?

What can I expect to pay for a home inspection?

What payment methods do you accept?

When do I pay for the inspection?

Who is Another Look Inspections, LLC.?

Do you have insurance?

Is Another Look Inspections, LLC. registered or licensed?

Must all home inspectors register?

Are Another Look inspectors registered?

What areas do you serve? (back to top)

We are a company based in greater St. Louis serving a large area of St. Louis, St. Charles, northwestern Jefferson, eastern Warren, southeastern Lincoln and northeast Franklin counties of Missouri.

Click here to view maps of our service area.

How do I set up a home inspection? (back to top)

Click here and request an appointment over the internet. we will contact you within 24 hours to confirm our schedule. You are also able to call toll free from anywhere in the continental USA (1-877-LOOK4U2 or 1-877-566-5482). Our friendly staff will be happy to confirm an inspection appointment for you. Please ensure that the date and time are acceptable to the other parties involved in the purchase & sale.

How much notice do you require? (back to top)

In emergency situations or those slower times of the year or we're fully booked, there's always an inspector to go within 24 hours if absolutely necessary. But, it's best to call at least 2-4 days ahead if possible, so you can be better assured of the appointment time you prefer.

How long will the inspection take? (back to top)

That depends on the size, age and general condition of the home. It is not uncommon for a single family home inspection to be 3 - 5 hours (again depending on the age, size and condition of the home) and condominiums are between 1 to 3 hours. Naturally you can expect longer inspections if we have to write about more defects. Condominium inspections are generally dedicated only to the interior of the condominium. Common areas may be inspected for an additional fee for units that contain only 15 units or less (call our office for pricing). Common areas include: Basements, roof, stairwells, decks, exterior, sidewalks, driveways, heating equipment and plumbing equipment Components and areas that are not accessible or deemed unsafe by the inspector will not be inspected during the scope of the inspection.

What's involved... what's covered? (back to top)

Your inspector will perform a thorough visual inspection of the major systems and components of the home including the structure, roof, interior/exterior surfaces, and the plumbing, heating, cooling & electrical systems. He or she will also examine the lot grading, and any evidence or likelihood of basement dampness. Insulation and ventilation will also be evaluated if accessible. We use some of the latest and sophisticated instruments to assess the working condition of your home.

Your inspector will show you, and explain to you, the various parts of the home and answer any questions you may have. He or she will point out areas of concern, and offer suggestions for improvement. Included in your report, your inspector will create a written report on site, and present it to you at the completion of the inspection in most situations. Another Look Inspections uses proprietary software to create your new home's inspection report on-site.

Why should I have a home inspection? I've already had a good look around the house.

(back to top)

For same reasons that you allow your family doctor to perform an annual physical. A trained professional can identify problems that you may not be able to detect.

Our inspections are like individual home seminars so we recommend that you (the client) is present for the inspection. We spend appropriate time with you in an interactive process during which you learn the status of the mechanical, structural and finish components of your new home - from an experienced person.

Another Look inspectors examine hundreds and hundreds of houses every year. This gives them the acquired ability to diagnose signs and symptoms which you may have overlooked.

Our comprehensive report will distinguish between items that should have further evaluation by an expert in a specific field, recommendations for repair or recommendations for replacement. Also, areas that may need routine maintenance and components that may be suspect at the time of the inspection are also noted. Our software allows us to create your report right at the house. You'll have it at the end of the inspection in 98%+ of all situations.

So, your job is to find out what's wrong with houses? (back to top)

Well, yes in a fashion... but we also believe that our job is to help purchasers make informed decisions. A home inspection can save money by showing people how to make only the necessary repairs, and in the most cost-effective manner. This is done in a professional manner that allows you to be informed about the property you are considering for purchase.

Do you inspect private wells? (back to top)

We perform a visual inspection of accessible equipment which may include the pump and pressure systems in use with private wells, in conjunction with the inspection of the plumbing supply and fixtures within the home - but we do not perform water potability (quality, or "drinkability') or flow-rate (recovery). This type of work is performed by licensed and qualified well technicians.

Do you inspect private waste/septic systems? (back to top)

We perform a visual inspection of readily accessible drainage components, and plumbing fixtures within the home. We do not perform physical inspections of installed private septic systems.

There are no conclusive methods for septic performance testing without excavating and/or obtaining core (drill) samples for laboratory testing by qualified technicians. Some home inspection companies offer septic testing, using the "dye & flood" method. Results are not readily discernable and certainly not accurate.

Any form of septic testing should be conducted by a licensed and qualified technician. This may include hydro-geological engineers or engineering technicians who specialize in septic systems. We recommend that you contact the municipality for your new property for a list qualified companies to perform this type of analysis.

Does Another Look Inspections, LLC. do environmental testing? (back to top)

No. Environmental studies are provided by licensed environmental firms, and are most often performed by environmental engineers or engineering technicians who specialize in environmental issues.

Do I need to have a new or newer home inspected? (back to top)

"Need" is a relative term. And everyone's needs are different. The important thing to note however, is that even if the likelihood of discovering a major flaw in a newer home is greatly reduced, the inspection can still serve you well. The opportunity exists to learn as much as you can about the house and how to look after it, before you buy it. The inspector can point out known problem areas and suggest maintenance practices which will reduce or eliminate most problems before they can start.

View a home inspection as a "seminar" on home ownership. It can be a value-added, informative experience - giving you a better understanding of your new home - and more security!

What can I expect to pay for a home inspection? (back to top)

Our rates are competitive with other top quality inspection firms in our coverage area. We base our fees on the MLS listing price, age of home and other factors. We'll ask you several questions regarding your new home to gain as much information about your new home so that there are no surprises at the time of inspection regarding the inspection fee. Questions we might ask include the address of the inspection site property, number of heaters and air conditioners, size of garage, number and description of structures on the property, and the listing price of the home.

Dwellings over 5000 sq .ft. and multiple family dwellings including apartment buildings and duplexes, are priced incrementally.

Please call our office for a quote. 636-327-6950

What payment methods do you accept? (back to top)

At the time of scheduling your appointment we will ask you for your credit card number to secure your appointment. We accept convenient payment methods including Visa, Master Card, American Express, checks and cash. You may change the method payment at the time of your inspection or you may leave it on the credit card that you used to secured the appointment. We understand what it takes to buy a new home and try to make the process as convenient as possible to our clients.

When do I pay, and how do you accept payment? (back to top)

At the time of confirming your appointment we will ask you for your credit card information. We may submit a request for authorization for your inspection fee. The credit card company will hold that amount of credit for a short time. Once your inspection is complete we will then charge your credit card the fee for the inspection. Of course you may pay with cash or check at time of service and the buying power witheld from your credit on your charge card will return shortly after your inspection is complete.

Our policy is that our inspectors will not release the inspection report without payment.

Cancellations. If a cancellation is made within a 12 hour period prior to your inspection we will charge you a $75.00 cancellation fee. We will explain this over the phone when you make your appointment.

(We understand that schedules and priorities can change. We would rather do an inspection and earn our fee instead of charge for a cancellation. Everybody's time is valuable and we ask that you respect ours. A phone call as early as possible to reschedule is appreciated and may, in most cases, avoiding this fee.)

We accept payment by check, cash, VISA, Master Card or American Express at time of service.

See "What payment methods do you accept?"

Who is Another Look Inspections, LLC.? (back to top)

Another Look Inspections, LLC. is an independent inspection services company, providing pre-purchase property inspections in the greater St. Louis area with affiliations throughout the mid-west.

Our staff is highly trained, experienced technicians and tradesmen with solid backgrounds in the home inspection industry, construction and renovation. With constant changes in residential construction practices, everyone is also committed to on-going upgrading and education.

Our inspectors have successfully completed hundreds if not thousands of successful pre-purchase and pre-listing home inspections; and in doing so, has become a leader in it's field and a prime source of information for home buyers, sellers and real estate professionals.

Do you have insurance? (back to top)

Yes. Another Look Inspections, LLC. carries professional liability insurance, including errors & omissions (E&O) coverage.

Do you guarantee your inspections? (back to top)

An inspection report is an opinion of the present condition of the property, based on a visual inspection of the readily accessible features of the building. An inspection is not a guarantee, warranty or insurance policy.

Without dismantling a house or its systems, there are limitations. We can substantially reduce one's risk, but we cannot eliminate it, nor do we assume it.

Is Another Look Inspections, LLC. registered? (back to top)

Companies do not join professional associations - individuals do. In the same sense that an individual lawyer, not the firm, joins the local Bar Association - a home inspector may join ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), or any number of other professional organizations specifically for home inspectors.

Must all home inspectors register or be licensed? (back to top)

No. There are different associations which individual inspectors may join, and membership is not mandatory at this time. There are also no licenses or licensing requirements presently for professional home inspectors in Missouri.

Are Another Look inspector's registered? (back to top)

We have several affiliations with local and national business organizations. We conduct our inspections to meet or exceed ASHI standards and practices. In addition, when local, state or federal law prescribes, Another Look Inspections will conform to such regulations.