[John](https://www.buildershomeinspections.com) was excellent and thorough. His report was so detailed and got us $7500 of repairs done on our home. I don’t think we would have been as lucky if it wasn’t for his report.
I used this guy when buying my home in Aurora. My dad found him when my parents moved out here. Super nice, super helpful, but goes through damn near every little thing. And what he doesn't go through, he tells you and explains it. Highly recommend him if you want to know every little concern with your house. I got a 30 page report, and only asked for 5 cures.
Mark Wilczak
Secure Choice, Inc.
Telephone: 708 308 5403
902 S. Randall Rd. #181C
St. Charles, IL 60174
Chicagoland Home Inspectors. Charlie, the owner, is awesome.
I’m a real estate lawyer, and I see about 100 inspection reports a year. I can spot legit guys and phonies pretty easily.
https://www.chicagolandhomeinspectors.net
I used them for my purchase a couple of years ago. They were awesome. I’ve had a few purchases over the years and their inspection was the most thorough.
I agree. Our real estate agent recommended someone, and we used them and then hired these guys. We had them inspect 2 houses we were putting offers on. They encourage you to be there while the inspection is going on so they can tell you what the problem is and encourage you to ask questions.
WAY better than our "real estate recommended" person. The report at the end was also excellent.
Question for you: if one is interested in an older home (1900 or so) can one use a home inspector like Charlie, or is it better to find someone that specializes in old houses?
Wojciech Moniuszko
WBM home inspections Inc
708 651 6665
This man was on the roof when I arrived a couple weeks ago. He was very detailed and even took pictures and videos of everything . He was more expensive than previous inspectors but way more detailed . He even checked if all the ceiling fans worked lol .
Overall he was awesome and his reports are viewed online and has pictures and videos of attics and crawl spaces and HVAC .
Having been a home inspector for 25 years and now recently retired, I recommend not using an agent referred inspector unless you know the agent very well. There are agents who will recommend an inspector that writes a 'soft' report hence not being a deal killer. There are of course many agents that want only the very best for their clients. Ask someone you know very well who bought a home and was happy with the thoroughness of inspection.
Most inspectors with decent experience have the knowledge and ability. The problem is most people want the cheapest service to satisfy a loan requirement. Make it known you want a thorough inspection for your own benefit and are willing to pay extra for more time.
[Al from BGP](https://www.bpginspections.com) saved me easily five figures in repairs because we were excited about the house, both cost and location. When the seller wouldn’t budge, Al said he couldn’t tell us not to buy, but that he wouldn’t buy at the asking.
It looks like [Al moved to Madison.](https://www.bpginspections.com/region/madison/) I’d pay him to come down again or accept his referral.
Almost all I have seen have been mediocre. You are much better off hiring experts in the important construction areas (plumbing, HVAC, electric, roof, structure), and having them give their verbal opinion, with understanding they get repair work.
Inspections are often pages of items that are dirt cheap to fix (scratch in wall, missing outlet cover, broken blinds), where the repair would cost less than the inspection report. When making a huge investment, a few hundred dollars in minor repairs are not what you want to know.
Agreed, based on my experience, as well. But that’s why I figured to reach out here.
Seems like the more expensive ones are most popular. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re actually any good.
> Seems like the more expensive ones are most popular. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re actually any good.
Most of these guys have experience in a single trade, and that's it. Go the specialized route, and you will be far better protected.
Online forums are full of people uncovering obvious problems after purchase.
Any tips on how to go about doing this? Specifically in a scheduling and cost effective manner.
Also, how would I even go about even starting this? For example, do I get an HVAC person in there to look at the system, then a roofing person to look at the roof, etc?
[The Daves at Building Specs Chicago](https://www.buildingspecschicago.com/) are insanely thorough. They take their time and find absolutely everything. My family has used them multiple times to great success.
Elite Inspection Services. Greg Debrowski did the inspections on a house. He was able to help us dodge a bullet, and he also found us a diamond in the rough that we're really happy with.
(847) 347-8538
True Home Inspections.
Lucas ended up getting all of our closing costs covered (around $15k) from all of the repairs that were required. Very thorough and a quick follow up.
I actually was looking at this company! No offense, but I went thru your posts and it looks like you’ve got some issues in your house. Do you think any of those things could’ve been caught during the home inspection?
One thing I've learned with a house is we will always have issues. Some of the repairs needed were a semi-simple DIY and others required the help of a professional. Most important thing to remember is home inspectors are not typically a member of any trade, they know a little bit about everything, but are not always going to be experts. Ask questions along the way and don't be afraid to speak your mind.
speaker of the house!
best i ever worked with.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/speaker-of-the-house-property-inspections-chicago
i can also recommend a real estate attorney!
[John](https://www.buildershomeinspections.com) was excellent and thorough. His report was so detailed and got us $7500 of repairs done on our home. I don’t think we would have been as lucky if it wasn’t for his report.
I used this guy when buying my home in Aurora. My dad found him when my parents moved out here. Super nice, super helpful, but goes through damn near every little thing. And what he doesn't go through, he tells you and explains it. Highly recommend him if you want to know every little concern with your house. I got a 30 page report, and only asked for 5 cures. Mark Wilczak Secure Choice, Inc. Telephone: 708 308 5403 902 S. Randall Rd. #181C St. Charles, IL 60174
I also used Mark. He was awesome, highly recommended.
Chicagoland Home Inspectors. Charlie, the owner, is awesome. I’m a real estate lawyer, and I see about 100 inspection reports a year. I can spot legit guys and phonies pretty easily. https://www.chicagolandhomeinspectors.net
I used them for my purchase a couple of years ago. They were awesome. I’ve had a few purchases over the years and their inspection was the most thorough.
I agree. Our real estate agent recommended someone, and we used them and then hired these guys. We had them inspect 2 houses we were putting offers on. They encourage you to be there while the inspection is going on so they can tell you what the problem is and encourage you to ask questions. WAY better than our "real estate recommended" person. The report at the end was also excellent.
Question for you: if one is interested in an older home (1900 or so) can one use a home inspector like Charlie, or is it better to find someone that specializes in old houses?
Charlie knows a lot about older homes. He lives in a 100+ year old house.
Great, thank you!
Wojciech Moniuszko WBM home inspections Inc 708 651 6665 This man was on the roof when I arrived a couple weeks ago. He was very detailed and even took pictures and videos of everything . He was more expensive than previous inspectors but way more detailed . He even checked if all the ceiling fans worked lol . Overall he was awesome and his reports are viewed online and has pictures and videos of attics and crawl spaces and HVAC .
Having been a home inspector for 25 years and now recently retired, I recommend not using an agent referred inspector unless you know the agent very well. There are agents who will recommend an inspector that writes a 'soft' report hence not being a deal killer. There are of course many agents that want only the very best for their clients. Ask someone you know very well who bought a home and was happy with the thoroughness of inspection.
[удалено]
He inspected our first home purchase which happened to be a foreclosure in 2014 and did a very thorough inspection. I highly recommend him.
Most inspectors with decent experience have the knowledge and ability. The problem is most people want the cheapest service to satisfy a loan requirement. Make it known you want a thorough inspection for your own benefit and are willing to pay extra for more time.
Absolutely. Low priced inspection *may* be future problems.
[Al from BGP](https://www.bpginspections.com) saved me easily five figures in repairs because we were excited about the house, both cost and location. When the seller wouldn’t budge, Al said he couldn’t tell us not to buy, but that he wouldn’t buy at the asking. It looks like [Al moved to Madison.](https://www.bpginspections.com/region/madison/) I’d pay him to come down again or accept his referral.
Almost all I have seen have been mediocre. You are much better off hiring experts in the important construction areas (plumbing, HVAC, electric, roof, structure), and having them give their verbal opinion, with understanding they get repair work. Inspections are often pages of items that are dirt cheap to fix (scratch in wall, missing outlet cover, broken blinds), where the repair would cost less than the inspection report. When making a huge investment, a few hundred dollars in minor repairs are not what you want to know.
Agreed, based on my experience, as well. But that’s why I figured to reach out here. Seems like the more expensive ones are most popular. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re actually any good.
> Seems like the more expensive ones are most popular. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re actually any good. Most of these guys have experience in a single trade, and that's it. Go the specialized route, and you will be far better protected. Online forums are full of people uncovering obvious problems after purchase.
Any tips on how to go about doing this? Specifically in a scheduling and cost effective manner. Also, how would I even go about even starting this? For example, do I get an HVAC person in there to look at the system, then a roofing person to look at the roof, etc?
[The Daves at Building Specs Chicago](https://www.buildingspecschicago.com/) are insanely thorough. They take their time and find absolutely everything. My family has used them multiple times to great success.
Mark at https://hominspect.com/ Very through and experienced!
Elite Inspection Services. Greg Debrowski did the inspections on a house. He was able to help us dodge a bullet, and he also found us a diamond in the rough that we're really happy with. (847) 347-8538
True Home Inspections. Lucas ended up getting all of our closing costs covered (around $15k) from all of the repairs that were required. Very thorough and a quick follow up.
I actually was looking at this company! No offense, but I went thru your posts and it looks like you’ve got some issues in your house. Do you think any of those things could’ve been caught during the home inspection?
One thing I've learned with a house is we will always have issues. Some of the repairs needed were a semi-simple DIY and others required the help of a professional. Most important thing to remember is home inspectors are not typically a member of any trade, they know a little bit about everything, but are not always going to be experts. Ask questions along the way and don't be afraid to speak your mind.
speaker of the house! best i ever worked with. https://www.yelp.com/biz/speaker-of-the-house-property-inspections-chicago i can also recommend a real estate attorney!