Environmental Testing

Focus Home Inspection - Same peace of mind, one inspection at a time

There are significant benefits to having environmental testing done on a home purchase, as it can uncover hidden hazards that are not visible during a standard inspection. Tests for substances like radon, mold, asbestos, and lead paint provide crucial information about a home's air quality and overall safety. For example, a home with a high radon level or a hidden mold issue can pose serious health risks to a family, and these problems often come with costly remediation expenses. By having these tests performed, a buyer can gain peace of mind and the necessary information to negotiate repairs or a price reduction, ensuring they are not inheriting a dangerous and expensive problem.

While a home inspector's report is an essential part of the due diligence process, it is critical to understand their limitations when it comes to environmental testing. In California, home inspectors are not legally allowed to perform environmental testing for hazardous substances unless they hold a separate, specific license for that type of work. A standard home inspection is a visual and functional assessment, not a laboratory analysis. The inspector's role is limited to observing conditions that may indicate a potential problem, such as visible mold growth or materials that are known to contain asbestos, and then recommending that a qualified specialist be hired for further testing.

Following your home inspector's recommendations is of the utmost importance, especially when they suggest having a suspicious substance evaluated by an EPA-licensed professional. The inspector's recommendation is a direct result of their training and experience, and it is a red flag that warrants a deeper look. Ignoring this advice before the removal of contingencies means you are willingly accepting the risk and potential cost of a major issue. For example, if an inspector notes what appears to be mold, but you choose not to have a professional test performed, you could be on the hook for a costly mold remediation that is not covered by insurance. The inspection contingency period is your last and best opportunity to gather this information and make an informed decision.

Home inspectors often come up against limitations that may prevent them from seeing or observing certain environmental hazards. These hazards are often hidden from view within the home's structure. For instance, radon is an invisible, odorless gas that requires a specialized electronic monitor to detect. Mold can grow behind walls or under flooring, hidden from the inspector's sight. Asbestos may be present in old insulation or drywall that is concealed within walls or ceilings. An inspector can only report on what is visually accessible at the time of the inspection, and therefore cannot guarantee a home is free from all environmental hazards without specific testing that is beyond the scope of a standard home inspection.

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Modern, Mobile Friendly Reporting

Immediate report publication gets you off to the races faster

We commit to immediate reporting. All observations are documented in real time ensuring that your report is complete and ready for review at the end of the inspection.

Web based HTML reports with the option to download to PDF

You and your client have the option to view the report online in full resolution and detail, or to download the report to PDF for an old fashioned kinetic approach to study and ease of sharing.

High resolution images and video reporting

Photos and video ensure all parties involved have a firm grasp on the reality of the situation. Be sure to tell us if your client is out of town so that your inspector can make video observation on important and often confusing items.

Informative observations illustrate and educate

Our formula for reporting is simple: the observation, the implication, and our recommendation. While other companies look for shortcuts in their reporting by employing "such as but not limited to" comments, we use specific comments for each defect observed. This means that you and your client learn about the reality of the defect observed and what your next steps are.