MKC Resources & FAQs

No. Reports cannot be transferred. You’ll need to have a separate buyer’s inspection done.

No. The report is only considered valid for use by the client for the specific property inspected, at the time and date inspected. We will accept no liability or responsibility for use of the report by anyone else and for any other purpose.

Generally, a buyer’s inspection takes between 2 to 4 hours. The time it takes to conduct a home inspection depends on the size, type, and age of the property. We take as much time necessary to fully and completely inspect the property.

Our 44-page sample inspection report will show you everything we cover in our inspections.

No. Massachusetts Regulations for Home Inspectors (MA CMR 266) prohibit home inspectors from reporting on costs to repair conditions observed at the home inspection. We recommend that you obtain quotes for any item that requires repair or replacement.

No. It’s recommended that you receive your own report in order to verify the true status of the property before purchasing. Secondly, the prior owner’s report is only considered valid for use by them for the specific property inspected during the specific time and date at which it was inspected. We will accept no liability or responsibility for use of the report by anyone else and for any other purpose.

Of course! You can see a sample report here.

A commercial building inspection usually lasts 3 to 4 hours, but can take much longer for large commercial properties. The time it takes to conduct the inspection depends on the size, type, and age of the property. It also depends on the intended commercial uses of the property.

No. We recommend that you obtain quotes for any item that requires repair or replacement from the relevant professionals.

Any inspector hired by the builder is their inspector. You want a home inspector that will look out for your interests, not those of the builder or contractor. An objective eye and unbiased opinion from MKC Associates can make the difference between getting a fair deal or not.

A new construction inspection typically lasts for 2 to 4 hours. The size, type, and age of the property can all affect the amount of time required for a new home inspection. We take as much time as necessary to fully inspect the property and answer your questions.

Our interactive sample report will show you everything we cover in our inspections.

Although they might have a great reputation, builders can make errors by missing something during the build or overlooking issues that an objective inspector could easily spot. Although the home might technically be up to code, it can be full of unwelcome and costly surprises during the first few years of ownership.

On average, our home warranty inspections take anywhere from 2-4 hours. The length of time varies depending on your home’s condition, age, and size. We partner closely with each client and will be available to answer questions during and after your home warranty inspection.

You can see a sample copy of our comprehensive inspection reports here.

Builder’s warranties can vary substantially in their coverage details and specific policy conditions. Plan to review your specific warranty as provided by your builder to fully understand what specifically can be repaired under your warranty.

No. Sellers are not required by law to fix anything observed in the Home Inspection report except issues that are in violation of law or other MA regulations. Consult with your real estate sales agent you are working with to come up with a strategy with regard to areas of the home that may need repairs.

Pre-listing inspections take approximately 2-4 hours to complete. However, the size, age, and condition of the home can all affect the duration of the inspection.

This comment was made in the report because the extent of the damage is not known or could not be determined, the area was not accessible, or specialized expertise is required because this item is beyond the scope of the home inspection. Additional investigations should be done by an experienced and licensed tradesman. Our final report will indicate which type of specialist is required, or which systems need to be activated or completed so that they may be inspected or tested.

You can see a sample copy of our comprehensive inspection reports here.

No. Sellers are not required by law to fix anything observed in the home Inspection report, except anything that is in violation of law or other MA regulations.

The length of our pre-offer home inspections varies based on several factors and can range from one to several hours. Our goal is always to be thorough and detailed throughout the process while leaving as much time as needed to answer questions or examine issues further.

We cannot advise you on how you should negotiate or move forward with your transaction, offer, or contract. You should seek the professional advice of a real estate attorney. Our job and goal is only to inform you of the condition of the property.

Our interactive sample report will help you understand the details covered in our inspections.

Walk-through inspections are brief inspections with no report and are often done during open houses and other short visits to the property. This is not a proper setting for the thorough and expert inspection required to reveal issues that could be present. While we occasionally allow clients to waive certain parts of the inspection, MKC Associates highly recommends a full inspection. Finding defects in a home often requires analysis of many details, including plumbing, thermostats, electrical panels, appliances, crawlspaces and attics, and other detailed observations and documentation.

Yes. There are mitigation systems for radon in well water. If your well is found to have an elevated level of radon, you need to consult with a water conditioning specialist to find out your next steps.

Yes to both. If your home is on a private well, you may have radon seeping into the water coming into your home. Radon in water is often an issue in the bathroom, shower, and/or other areas where water is aerated.

Not if it is hot outside and there is no air conditioning. Because radon inspection and testing requires you to keep the windows and doors closed for a period of 12 hours or more, this can create uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures inside the home. Speak with one of our associates to learn more about your specific situation. If the home has air conditioning, then we can test with no issues.

Maybe. If the condo is a townhouse-style property, and there is no shared open space in the basement or attic, then we can test for radon. However, if the condo is an apartment-style unit, we cannot test for radon. This is because the conditions for radon testing require windows and doors to be closed in the entire building before and during the radon test. We can’t control what other units do with their windows, so we can’t promise a successful test in this specific case. Contact us for more information on testing your condo for radon.

In order to perform a radon test accurately, the windows and doors in the home must be completely closed for 12 hours before and during the test. If this is not followed, you can get inaccurate results and the test will need to be repeated.

Testing can take anywhere between 48-96 hours. We will deliver the report to you within 24 hours from when we pick up our equipment from the property.

Frustratingly, you often can’t tell the presence of WDI. It’s hard for any non-professional to spot the signs of wood-destroying insects, especially if the damage is not visible on the surface of exposed wood. Trained pest inspectors know what to look for and how to find it. That is why it’s critical to hire a professional for your home inspection.

No matter the species of wood-destroying insects, they all damage structural components of a home by either eating or nesting in wood. When wood suffers insect damage, it becomes compromised and may even be dangerous. Repairs to significantly damaged areas can be costly and substantial.

Loans from the Department of Veteran Affairs require a WDI Inspection and a report on the industry-standard NPMA-33 form. Some state and federal loan programs may also require a WDI Inspection as well. It’s best to check with your local municipality for more information.