To start with I'm experienced and have lots of good references. You get your written report the same day as the inspection. I'm licensed and certified. Member in good standing of various home inspection organizations. My written report is both checklist and narrative, tailored to your home and includes digital pictures.

Usually three hours, sometimes longer. I stay until I'm satisfied that it is done - a professional job takes as long as it needs to take, no more, no less. If you are looking to get in and out quickly I'm probably not a good choice.

Cost varies. My prices are generally more expensive than other inspectors. How big is the house or condo? How old is it? Is there an attic? Basement? Garage? Fireplaces? Central air conditioning? A well? Septic tank? Call me or go to my "CONTACT" page and provide me with the address of the house - I can punch up the listing and give you a price quickly.

Yes. While I'm not the most expensive I am never the cheapest either. I firmly believe that I offer the best value, and my customers seem to agree. Very low home inspection fees can be regarded with suspicion, as they often identify those who are interns, new to the business, perform home inspections "on the side" while not working their full-time job, perform many inspections in a day and will not take sufficient time and care performing your inspection. A home is the most expensive commodity you are likely to purchase in a lifetime. One defect missed by your inspector could cost 100 times what you save with a bargain inspection. Your best bet is to shop for quality.

All inspection firms have different fees. Some will charge based on square footage, some by the price you are paying to buy the house or condo, some may quote a flat rate. Like everything else in life you get what you pay for. The biggest factors are how long the inspector will actually spend on the inspection and how detailed the written report is. Other variables: is the firm licensed? Certified? Experienced? The good news is that if the inspection turns up nothing wrong with the home you've bought some relatively inexpensive peace of mind. If problems are discovered then the inspection has paid for itself, you can try to renegotiate the buy price or have the seller fix the defects before you buy.

Same day, e-mailed to you with pictures.

Probably. And your bank may require it. A home is the largest purchase most people will ever make. It only makes sense to find out as much as you can about the house you are interested in before you buy. That way you can avoid costly surprise repairs and problems with your new home. Our report will also advise you of what maintenance is required to keep your home in top condition. A professional inspection will give you a clear picture of the many systems and structural elements that make up the property. If you are selling your home, a listing inspection will point out any potential problems that might be uncovered later by the buyers inspector. Finding them early will allow you to address them before listing your home, making for a faster and smoother sale.

Our detailed inspection report covers the major systems and structural elements of the house. This includes the condition of the homes heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing and electrical systems, roof, foundation, attic and visible insulation, walls, doors, windows and all visible structures. Our home inspections take longer than most of our competitors. Our written report is easy to read and provides a wealth of information to the home buyer.

Yes, I'll be happy to assist you any way I can in clarifying the information present in the report, even after you've moved in and settled down to enjoy your new home. I'm available to you, for as long as you own the home, to offer unbiased advice and recommendations.

If you have any concerns at all about a conflict of interest it would be best to hire an inspector with total objectivity and no hint of obligations to anyone but you - in other words, an independent home inspector who does not actively solicit or pay for referrals from Realtors. And yes, we're independent and work for you and only you (Allied Home Inspections LLC is a member of the Independent Home Inspectors of North America).

A good Home Inspector should be...

• Licensed

• Certified

• Experienced

• Highly rated (Google, etc.)

• Independent and unbiased

Depends on where you live. The State of Connecticut mandates one week of specialized schooling, at least one hundred inspections that are overseen by a licensed home inspector, and a written test before you can earn a license. Most people start by calling licensed inspectors and asking to apprentice. In Connecticut an apprentice pays their mentor, not the other way around. Cost varies but is usually around $10,000 for the year of supervision needed to get a license.

I do one. I think most inspectors do two on average. Some even do three.

The buyer.

A house or condo can't actually "fail" an inspection. The buyer is presented with a report listing the defects observed by the home inspector and then makes a decision to pass, buy, or negotiate. State guidelines prohibit home inspectors from recommending that a client buy or sell a home - we just present the facts.