Home Inspection Services
The Right Information
Your home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make. Make sure you get what you pay for. DASH offers the most professional home inspection in Frederick, MD, and the 4-State area. We are dedicated to providing the best quality home inspection services available at affordable prices.
We provide these state-of-the-art inspection services:
Pre Drywall Inspection
When a new home is being built, multiple contractors are in and out of the property working on the different aspects of the build. Plumbers, electricians, framers, and insulators are all working independently to get their portions of the job done.
This may lead to mistakes being overlooked and can also result in construction defects. However, many of these defects are covered up and not visible prior to your final pre-purchase inspection. This is the reason it’s very important to inspect a new construction home during the framing and rough-in phase. Our professional inspection will help to ensure that your home is constructed properly, which will result in fewer problems in the future.
New Construction Inspection
A brand-new home doesn’t always mean well built. When you buy a new construction home without an inspection, you’re placing yourself at the mercy of the people who built it. A new construction inspection allows you to catch construction issues early before they become major problems down the road.
3 Home Inspection Tips For Buyers
As the buyer, the home inspection is your last chance to get to know your property before closing. Use these tips to get the most out of the inspection.
- Have an inspection contingency
- Choose a trusted home inspector
- Attend your home inspection
A comprehensive inspection is crucial for both home sellers and buyers. A pre-listing inspection will give a home seller the confidence that a hidden problem won’t kill a sale. A buyer’s inspection will give you the peace of mind that you are getting what you pay for when purchasing your new home.
Our expertly trained home inspectors in Frederick, MD, and the 4-State area will thoroughly check these areas:
- Basic Structure: Make sure the home's foundation and support, walls, doors, and windows are solid
- Roof and Attic System: Look for missing shingles or sagging roof; check gutters and rain guard
- Basement | Crawl Spaces | Slab: Inspect structural integrity and look for water damage
- Plumbing System: Look for leaks and good water flow; make sure toilets and water heater are working
- Electrical System: Check grounding, circuit breaker, wiring, ceiling fans, and outlets
- Appliances: Make sure major appliances (oven, dishwasher) are working and safe
- Garage: Check garage door opener and components; look for damage to garage door, walls, ceiling, and floor
- HVAC Systems: Ensure heating and cooling system functions properly
Walk and Talk Consultation
This specialty service is designed to allow you to walk and talk with a professional home inspection consultant while viewing the property you’re hoping to purchase or sell. It’s a great choice for home buyers and sellers that want an overview of the properties general condition. This is a helpful service for buyers interested in a property that may have the potential for multiple offers. Oftentimes in a “sellers market” it’s important that the buyer be as prepared as possible to move forward in the home purchase process. You and your consultant will walk the property together, so you’ll be able to take notes and ask questions as you go. You’ll know quite a bit about the condition of the property before making your offer. With a Walk and Talk Consultation you won’t get a written report but you will get the expert knowledge that your consultant has to offer. This will help you count the costs in advance. The cost is much lower than a whole house inspection, about half the price actually. In any event, a Walk and Talk Consultation is not meant to replace a whole house inspection. During a whole house inspection, the inspector will inspect every aspect of the property and provide a thorough report that includes pictures of the findings.
Enjoy knowing that you’ve made a good decision when moving forward with an offer to purchase or when preparing your home to sell. Schedule your Walk and Talk Consultation today.
You and your consultant will walk the property together
Termite Inspection
As you begin the purchase process of your new home, you want to make sure you know what you’re getting. The structure of a home can be vulnerable to damage due to excess moisture and the bugs it attracts, such as termites. Along with other inspections, a termite inspection report can help you understand the exact condition of the home before you buy it.
A termite inspection report is a thorough inspection and an accompanying detailed report of findings done by a registered pest control company. Our accredited and professional termite inspection partners will perform a thorough inspection of your home, looking for fungi, excess moisture, or any insects such as termites, carpenter bees, or carpenter ants, among others that could be causing damage to the structure of the home. The termite inspection report we give you will be a detailed report of all of the findings, including active and inactive infestations, as well as any resulting damage.
Inspection and an accompanying detailed report of findings done by a registered pest control company.
Free Thermal Imaging Analysis
Thermal Imaging can detect:
- Water infiltration (roof leaks caused by recent rainfall, within 24 to 48 hours)
- Cold air infiltration
- Excessive moisture in building materials
- Stud/Joist /Beam/Rafter placement and structure
- Insulation gaps, insufficient and uneven areas
- Electrical drops, panels, breakers, switches, and wire connections
- Heating and cooling duct placement, insulation, air leaks
- Pipe location
We offer the most comprehensive independent laboratory testing available. Our tests can detect hundreds of contaminants. Water testing is essential to keep your family healthy, especially these days. You drink water, cook with it, and bathe in it. Keeping that water clean is becoming a real challenge. Old pipes can taint your home’s water. Industrial and agricultural runoff can pollute groundwater.
So many new chemicals are now going into our water supply authorities often don’t even know what they are. The EPA calls them “emerging contaminants,” and they are found in everything from pharmaceuticals to household cleaning supplies. The only way to be sure your water is clean is to get the most professional water testing in Frederick, MD, and the 4-State area.
The same holds true even if you are not connected to a public water supply. Well water is also susceptible to contamination by all the new products regularly getting washed into our groundwater. Get peace of mind with the most comprehensive well water testing in Frederick, MD, and the 4-State area. Be sure, get the best.
Water Tests We Offer
Parameters Analyzed (3):
Metals:
- Copper, Lead
Non-Metal Inorganics:
- pH
Parameters Analyzed (2):
Microbiology
- E. coli
- Total Coliform
Parameters Analyzed (6):
Metals:
- Arsenic, Lead
Microbiology:
- E. coli, Total Coliform
Non-Metal Inorganics:
- Nitrate (as N), Nitrite (as N)
Parameters Analyzed (50)
Metals:
- Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium (Total), Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lead, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Strontium, Thallium, Tin, Titanium, Uranium, Vanadium, Zinc
Microbiology:
- E. coli, Total Coliform
Non-Metal Inorganics:
- Alkalinity (as CaCO3), Chloride, Conductivity, Fluoride, Hardness, Nitrate (as N), Nitrite (as N), Phosphorous, Silica, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, Turbidity, pH
Calculated Parameters:
- Grains per gallon, Hardness (Total), Hardness (Ca, Mg), Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Langelier Saturation Index
Parameters Analyzed (113)
Metals:
- Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium (Total), Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lead, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Strontium, Thallium, Tin, Titanium, Uranium, Vanadium, Zinc
Microbiology:
- E. coli, Total Coliform
Non-Metal Inorganics:
- Alkalinity (as CaCO3), Chloride, Conductivity, Fluoride, Hardness, Nitrate (as N), Nitrite (as N), Phosphorous, Silica, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, Turbidity, pH
VOC:
- 1,1 Dichloroethane, 1,1 Dichloroethylene, 1,1 Dichloropropene, 1,1,1 Trichloroethane, 1,1,1,2 Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2 Trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2 Tetrachloroethane, 1,2 Dichlorobenzene, 1,2 Dichloroethane, 1,2 Dichloropropane, 1,2,3 Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3 Trichloropropane, 1,2,4 Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4 Trimethylbenzene, 1,3 Dichlorobenzene, 1,3 Dichloropropane, 1,3,5 Trimethylbenzene, 1,4 Dichlorobenzene, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene-d4, 2,2 Dichloropropane, Benzene, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Bromomethane, Carbon Tetrachloride, Chlorobenzene, Chlorobenzene-d5, Chloroethane, Chloroform, Chloromethane, Chlorotoluene 2, Chlorotoluene 4, Dibromochloromethane, Dibromochloropropane, Dibromomethane, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide, Hexachlorobutadiene, Isopropyl benzene, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether, Naphthalene, Pentafluorobenzene, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Vinyl Chloride, cis 1,2 Dichloroethylene, cis 1,3 Dichloropropene, m,p Xylene, n Butylbenzene, n Propylbenzene, o Xylene, p Isopropyltoluene, sec Butylbenzene, tert Butylbenzene, trans 1,3 Dichloropropene
Calculated Parameters:
- Grains per gallon, Hardness (Total), Hardness (Ca, Mg), Total THMs, Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Langelier Saturation Index
Parameters Analyzed (10)
Metals:
- Arsenic, Copper, Iron, Lead, Nickel, Uranium, Zinc
Non-Metal Inorganics:
- Fluoride, Total Dissolved Solids, pH
Parameters Analyzed (44)
Metals:
- Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium (Total), Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lead, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Strontium, Thallium, Tin, Titanium, Uranium, Vanadium, Zinc
Non-Metal Inorganics:
- Alkalinity (as CaCO3), Chloride, Fluoride, Hardness, Nitrate (as N), Phosphorous, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, pH
Calculated Parameters:
- Grains per gallon, Hardness (Total), Hardness (Ca, Mg), Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Langelier Saturation Index
Parameters Analyzed (110)
Metals:
- Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium (Total), Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lead, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Potassium, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Strontium, Thallium, Tin, Titanium, Uranium, Vanadium, Zinc
Non-Metal Inorganics:
- Alkalinity (as CaCO3), Chloride, Conductivity, Fluoride, Hardness, Nitrate (as N), Nitrite (as N), Phosphorous, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, pH
VOC:
- 1,1 Dichloroethane, 1,1 Dichloroethylene, 1,1 Dichloropropene, 1,1,1 Trichloroethane, 1,1,1,2 Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2 Trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2 Tetrachloroethane, 1,2 Dichlorobenzene, 1,2 Dichloroethane, 1,2 Dichloropropane, 1,2,3 Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3 Trichloropropane, 1,2,4 Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4 Trimethylbenzene, 1,3 Dichlorobenzene, 1,3 Dichloropropane, 1,3,5 Trimethylbenzene, 1,4 Dichlorobenzene, 1,4 Difluorobenzene, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene-d4, 2,2 Dichloropropane, Benzene, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Bromomethane, Carbon Tetrachloride, Chlorobenzene, Chlorobenzene-d5, Chloroethane, Chloroform, Chloromethane, Chlorotoluene 2, Chlorotoluene 4, Dibromochloromethane, Dibromochloropropane, Dibromomethane, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide, Hexachlorobutadiene, Isopropyl benzene, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether, Naphthalene, Pentafluorobenzene, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Vinyl Chloride, cis 1,2 Dichloroethylene, cis 1,3 Dichloropropene, m,p Xylene, n Butylbenzene, n Propylbenzene, o Xylene, p Isopropyltoluene, sec Butylbenzene, tert Butylbenzene, trans 1,3 Dichloropropene
Calculated Parameters:
- Grains per gallon, Hardness (Total), Hardness (Ca, Mg), Total THMs, Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Langelier Saturation Index
Radon is a silent killer that can be found in any home, anywhere. In fact, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. This invisible, odorless, radioactive gas can seep up from the ground and collect in any home. Radon comes from the natural decay of radioactive elements found in the soil. There is only one way to know if this radioactive gas is in your house. Get the most comprehensive and accurate radon testing in Frederick, MD, and the 4-State area from DASH.
We use the best state-of-the-art device available to test for radon. The Corentium Pro radon monitor takes hourly measurements over 48 hours. The device has four chambers that detect alpha particles emitted by radon decay. This certified test is the most surefire way to measure the radon level in your home.
You should test for radon before buying any home. Then you should retest your home every 2 to 5 years. Keep your records and keep track of any radon level changes. Even if a home is built to be radon-resistant, the EPA recommends regular testing. You should also test before and after making any major renovations or adding a new heating system or central air conditioning.
WE ARE CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL INSPECTORS
All Dash home inspectors have been professionally trained in a licensed home inspection training program for West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The training was provided by the American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT), the national leader in home inspection training. Before performing any inspections on their own, each of our experts completed an extensive apprenticeship program under a Certified Master Inspector, passed the National Home Inspectors Examination, and became full members of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).
Our inspectors are Infrared certified, Radon certified, and have completed additional training for water quality testing. They have also worked with local home remodeling companies to reinforce their expertise. Our inspectors are required to perform yearly continuing education, allowing them to keep pace with ever-evolving home construction methods and practices. DASH home inspectors use state-of-the-art tools and equipment with cutting-edge technology to ensure a complete and accurate home inspection.
Questions? We’ve got the answers. And we are always here to help, with promptness and professional courtesy.Contact us to schedule your inspection today.
