Frequently Asked Questions
How Home Inspections Work
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual examination of a home’s condition. It covers the structure, systems, and major components of the home. A licensed inspector evaluates every accessible area and then documents any issues in a detailed report.
Why should I get a home inspection before buying a house?
A home inspection protects you from buying a house with hidden problems, such as foundation movement, faulty wiring, and hail damage. It gives you a clear, professional assessment of the home’s condition before you close, so you can negotiate repairs, adjust your offer, or walk away if needed.
Is a home inspection required to buy a house in Colorado?
No, a home inspection is not legally required to buy a house in Colorado. It’s optional, but strongly recommended. Most Colorado buyers include an inspection contingency in their offer to protect themselves before closing.
What's the difference between a home inspection and an appraisal?
A home inspection evaluates a home’s condition. An appraisal evaluates its market value. Inspections are for buyers assessing what they’re purchasing, while appraisals are typically required by lenders to confirm the home is worth the loan amount.
When should I schedule a home inspection during the home-buying process?
Schedule your home inspection as soon as your offer is accepted, typically within 5 to 10 days of your contract’s inspection contingency period.
How long does a home inspection take?
A standard home inspection typically takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the home’s size and condition. Top Choice uses state-of-the-art reporting technology to complete inspections faster without cutting corners.
Do I need to be present for my home inspection?
No, you don’t need to be present, but it’s strongly recommended. Attending lets you see issues firsthand and ask questions in real time to better understand the home.
What should I do to prepare my home for an inspection?
Sellers should make all areas of the home accessible. That includes unlocking doors, clearing attic and crawl space access, and turning utilities on. This lets the inspector complete a full, unobstructed evaluation.
What's not included in a standard home inspection?
A standard home inspection does not include specialized testing like radon, mold, sewer scope, or wood-destroying organism (WDO) inspections. These are available as add-on services and maybe are recommended based on the home’s age, location, and systems.
Are Top Choice's home inspectors licensed and certified in Colorado?
Yes, all Top Choice inspectors are licensed and meet Colorado’s requirements for home inspection professionals.
Pricing and Scheduling
How much does a home inspection cost in Colorado Springs?
Home inspection costs in Colorado Springs range based on the size, age, and location of the home. Contact Top Choice for a personalized quote for your property.
How much do add-on services like radon or sewer scope cost?
Add-on services like radon, mold, sewer scope, and WDO testing are priced separately from a standard inspection. Ask about bundling to save on add-ons when you book.
Does Top Choice offer weekend or holiday inspections?
Yes. Top Choice is open seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.
Can I reschedule or cancel my inspection if my closing date changes?
Yes. We understand that closing timelines can change. Contact us as soon as possible to reschedule your inspection, and we’ll work to accommodate your new date.
Add-On Services
What add-on inspections are available besides a standard home inspection?
Top Choice offers several add-on inspections including:
- Radon testing
- Sewer scope inspections
- Mold testing
- Water testing
- WDO (wood-destroying organism) inspections
Each addresses a specific risk that a standard inspection doesn’t cover.
Are add-on inspections necessary, or is a standard inspection recommended?
A standard inspection covers the home’s structure and major systems. It doesn’t test for radon, mold, sewer line condition, or wood-destroying organisms. Given Colorado Springs’ radon risk and old sewer infrastructure, many buyers add one of these services.
How long do add-on inspections add to the overall inspection time?
Most add-on inspections take 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. Some services run alongside your standard inspection rather than extending it. For instance, radon monitors can be placed at the start and collected later.
What is a radon test and why do I need one in Colorado?
A radon test measures the level of radon gas in a home. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that’s invisible and odorless. It can’t be detected without testing. Colorado Springs sits in a high-risk radon zone, so testing is strongly recommended for homebuyers.
What happens if my radon test comes back high?
If your radon test comes back above the EPA’s action level of 4 pCi/L, a licensed radon mitigation specialist can install a system to reduce radon levels to a safe range.
What does a mold inspection involve?
A mold inspection checks areas prone to moisture. Think crawl spaces, basements, attics, and plumbing. Our mold experts look for visible growth and conditions that could lead to mold.
What happens if mold is found during my inspection?
If mold is found, your inspector documents its location and extent in your report. You can use these results to negotiate remediation with the seller or bring in a specialist before closing.
What is a sewer scope inspection?
A sewer scope inspection uses a small camera to examine the home’s sewer line for cracks, blockages, or root intrusion. Often, these problems are invisible during a standard inspection and can be expensive to repair.
Why is a sewer scope inspection important for older homes in Colorado Springs?
Older homes often have clay or cast iron sewer lines that are decades past their intended lifespan. A sewer scope catches potential issues before they become a costly surprise after you’ve moved in.
What is a WDO inspection?
A WDO (wood-destroying organism) inspection, also known as a termite inspection, checks a home for termites, wood-boring beetles, and other pests that damage wooden structures.
Do I need a WDO inspection if I don't see signs of termites?
Yes. Wood-destroying organisms often cause damage before it’s visible. A WDO inspection catches early damage that a visual walkthrough may miss.
Is a WDO inspection required by lenders in Colorado?
It depends on your loan type. VA loans typically require a WDO inspection, while conventional loans usually don’t.
Inspection Report
What does a Top Choice home inspection report include?
Every report includes a full breakdown of the home’s condition, room by room and system by system. Findings are written in plain language and the report includes 500+ photos documenting what inspectors found.
How long does it take to receive my inspection report?
You’ll receive your full report within 24 hours, often the same day as your inspection.
Is the inspection report digital or paper?
Top Choice reports are digital, so you can access it from your phone, tablet, or computer.
How do I know which issues in my report are serious?
Your inspector will call out significant issues and explain what they mean. You’ll never have to guess whether something is minor or a real concern.
Can I use my inspection report to negotiate repairs with the seller?
Yes. Your Top Choice report is visual and expert-backed proof for negotiations. That makes your report useful for repair requests or price negotiations with the seller.
Can I share my report directly with my real estate agent?
Yes, your report can be shared directly with your agent, so everyone’s working from the same document.
Does Top Choice's report help me create a repair request or addendum?
You can build a repair list or addendum directly inside the inspection report. Just click the relevant defects and add them to the repair list or addendum.
How long do I have access to my inspection report?
Your digital report is yours forever. You can refer back to it whenever you need whether that’s during negotiations, renovations, or down the road.
Service Area
What areas does Top Choice Inspectors serve?
Top Choice Inspectors proudly serves Colorado Springs and the surrounding area. That includes Monument, Woodland Park, Fountain, Falcon, Black Forest, and Peyton. Wherever you’re buying in the area, odds are we’re already there.
How quickly can Top Choice schedule an inspection in my area?
Top Choice has same-day and next-day availability. Inspections are available seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.
How far will Top Choice travel for an inspection?
Top Choice inspects homes within a 45–60 minute drive of Colorado Springs. If you’re not sure whether your property falls within that range, just call us at (719) 581-7080 and we’ll confirm availability.
Does Top Choice serve properties outside of Colorado Springs?
Yes. Top Choice inspects rural and acreage properties within our standard service area, including homes on well and septic systems. Note that we don’t perform the specialized septic load or well water tests themselves, so we’ll point you to a trusted specialist for those.
For Real Estate Agents
How fast can Top Choice turn around an inspection report?
Every inspection report is delivered within 24 hours, guaranteed. Often, our inspectors can even turn around reports on the same day.
Can agents get direct contact with the assigned inspector?
Yes. Agents get the direct contact info of the inspector on the job, not just a call center. That means real answers, fast, without waiting on hold.
Does Top Choice provide re-inspections or follow-ups after repairs?
Yes, Top Choice can return to verify completed repairs before closing, giving both sides confidence that agreed-upon fixes were done properly.
How does Top Choice handle inspections for new construction or builder walkthroughs?
Top Choice inspects new construction at multiple key phases, including pre-drywall and final walkthrough. Our goal is to catch issues before they’re sealed behind a wall, so buyers have time to address them.
Can agents or their clients attend the inspection?
Absolutely. Agents and buyers are welcome to walk through the inspection with us. It’s
a great opportunity to see findings firsthand and ask questions on the spot.