Inspections
Buying or Selling a Home
Start safe. Start with Swift.
If you are buying or selling a house, it is a smart idea to call Swift to perform a Level II Inspection.
Buyers:
You've heard the expression, "buyer beware!", Chimneys are not to be over looked. Chimneys vent the heater or heaters in most homes, as well as the fireplace in many other. It is so important to have a certified inspection prior to settlement because chimneys must be in good condition to use safely. Safety is the number one issue! Structural defects are secondary, but important as well.
Sellers:
Sellers are well advised to have a Level II inspection done for the chimney when preparing to put the house on the market. The seller will probably need to repair the chimney after the buyer has it inspected, or may be required to escrow money that the buyer will use for this purpose. Unless the house sells as is, it is dollar-wise to have your own certified inspection done prior to putting the house on the market. If you know the flaws in advance, you can be prepared for either the cost of repairs or to have the repairs done in advance.
FAQs
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Swift Services Inc. inspectors can perform a video scan of the fireplace and heater flue to check for tile condition and look for cracks or joint failure.
We will go up on the roof to inspect the exterior of the chimney, as well as the cap and upper section of the flues. If the roof is too tall, too fragile, or the chimney is over 36 feet tall, we may require special equipment to perform the inspection. This is the exception. While up top, we will thoroughly inspect the masonry or metal chimney, the cap, the flashing, and surrounding roof, vent stacks, or structures such as walls or siding. Finally, we will check out the heater flue if the heating appliances are connected to one. Heater flues, if not properly maintained, can make you sick or cause fatalities. Chimneys are not minor items that can be glossed over; they are major utilities that require a certified professional to inspect and service, or repair if needed.
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Level II Inspections with video cost $300 plus $100 per flue. We will inspect the flue with our high-tech camera before sweeping. Sweeping the flue is often needed to better see the condition of the flue. If it is needed, sweeping is included during the inspection process. This is essential for the certified chimney professional from Swift to make an accurate reading of the scan. The benefits outweigh the cost $500.00 or more if you're lucky, $1,500.00 - $10,000.00 if not, because if the flue needs repair or replacement, the cost could be thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. This is something a buyer needs to know before settlement, and not a few months after purchase of the home.
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True; However, there have been decisions where judges have held sellers and their agents responsible for having a Level II inspection done. Not to mention, when the buyer pays for their Level II inspection, it will need to be dealt with in a rushed manner and at a higher cost, in all probability. You are doing yourself a big favor by getting a certified inspection done in advance. Surprises are not your friends. They can cause delays, or worse, can derail a settlement. Not least of all, there is the safety issue involving you or your family while you are still living in the house.