More than just a Home Inspection
We inspect 7 days a week, including nights and weekends! Just as important as the home inspection is peace of mind, knowing your home is protected. We are now offering a 100-day Inspection Guarantee, 5-year Roof Leak Protection, 90-day Sewer Guard Warranty and 90-day Mold Safe Warranty with your inspections.
Back your inspections with a 100-day limited Structural & Mechanical Warranty. Click here learn more.
New leaks to your home’s roof are covered for 5 years following the date of inspection. Click here to learn more.
Covers your water and sewer lines against failure due to normal wear and tear for 90-days following the date of your inspection. Click here to learn more.
If you move into your new home and mold is present was not found when inspected, you’re covered for remediation up to $2000 for 90-days following the date of your inspection. Click here to learn more.
Included with all inspections PORCH, a Home Moving Assistant. This is a is a free concierge service ($350 value for free), providing change of address, lock swaps, set up of cable/internet/utilities, mounting TVs, moving appliances, handyman services, and more... Includes four(4)-$25 coupons.
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Home Inspection Service
(414) 349-6896
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Are you buying? Selling? Planning to stay in your current home? Amelia’s home inspection is dedicated to finding issues that need to be address. I am a certified home inspector and will find any potential issues with your current or future home. Your Peace of Mind is Our Passion! Our Home Inspections go above and beyond the State of Wisconsin requirements, increasing your confidence about your home purchase, saving you money and making your house a safer place to live. Experience matters, so don’t trust your home to just any Home Inspector.
It important to have a thorough, independent home inspection to analyze any risks, fire hazards, safety issues or any significant issues causing risks or an unexpected expense to you and your family. A home inspection is a visual inspection of the roofing, foundation, and structure. We check the operational components of a home (furnace, air conditioner), checking performance and safety features. The inspection will provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge about your new home, including home maintenance tips. If a deficiency, or a symptom of a problem, is found I will include a description with a photo in a written report, which you can access anytime. If the deficiency is significant I will recommend further evaluation by an expert. |
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All home inspections are performed according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and the State of Wisconsin Standards of Practice. Each inspection includes the Site/Grounds (grading, driveways, walkways, vegetation), Exterior (siding, windows), Foundation (basement, crawlspace), Roof (gutter, downspouts), Structure (basement walls, attic/roof construction) Plumbing (supply, drains, sump pump, palmer valve), Heating and Cooling (forced air, boiler, piping, storage), Electric (fixtures, GFCIs, main panel, sub panel, junctions boxes, ceiling fans), Interior (floors, walls, ceilings), Kitchen(appliances, plumbing, electrical, ventilation) and Bathrooms (tub, shower, whirlpool, electrical, ventilation). I will provide you with a customized comprehensive computer-generated report, the same day, that is well-organized and easy-to-read. Reports are interactive PDFs and allow you to create a Repair/Request List, watch the video below.
Experience Matters
Following is a list of 10 areas that warrant extra attention during your home inspection. The items that are most import to most people concern the roof, foundation/basement, heating/cooling & electrical system.
Roofing System
Roof problems are responsible for 39 percent of homeowner’s insurance claims. Find out how old the roof is and if there are any issues, if there are any problems. Sometimes owners will put a new roof on the home, before selling, ask the seller for any paperwork. It is also important to talk with your insurance company if there are more than 2 layers. During my home inspections in Kenosha, whether it is snowing or raining, I will always try to walk on a roof or put the ladder on an eave. There is no substitute, except safety, during a home inspection process to using a ladder.
Water drainage and disbursement
The biggest issue of any home is always going to be water disbursement. There’s the potential for damage to the foundation. If water is found to be in the vicinity of the house, you want the water to flow away from the house, not towards it.
While external water damage is easy to spot with a visual home inspection, potential damage hidden inside a home’s walls can bet harder to detect.
General maintenance items including checking/cleaning your gutters and downspouts, because if they aren’t functioning properly, water can seep into foundation. Water is the biggest enemy of your home.
While having a professional home inspector is great, it is highly recommended that you also do your own home inspection. Just see if things are working the way you think they should and do basic things like going outside and checking the gutters when it’s raining.
Electrical System
There are a couple of specific techniques and systems to look out for. First is called knob and tube wiring, also known as K&T, usually found in homes from about 1880s to the 1930s. This electrical system is usually underground and exposed in attics in basements which leads to potential for electric shock and fire hazards. Many insurance companies will not insure a home with knob & tube and you may have difficulties getting a loan.
Many homes also have also had old/obsolete/defective electrical panels. For example, when a circuit breaker is tripped in a Federal Pacific Electric panel, it can lead to overheating and fire. An experience home inspector makes a big difference.
Foundation
You want to make sure the house’s foundation is stable. I measure basement and crawlspace walls, look for cracks, fractures and movement. I look for water staining and test the sump pump and Palmer valve. Another important aspect of the foundation is the drainage system.
Plumbing Systems
The plumbing system not only consist of verify water flow/pressure and verifying water is flowing down the drains but includes foundation drainage. Foundation drainage is not visible and often neglected. Many homes over 100 years old were built without drainage systems. When the first drain tiles were installed, a Catch Basin was used to drain the water to the sewer. Many of these systems are still in use today. Following the Catch Basin was the Palmer Valves. This is a one-way flapper valve that is in the floor drain. It requires ongoing maintenance and most of the time during a home inspection it is stuck closed, requiring a Plumber to repair it. Finally, we have a Sump Pump, most people are familiar with these devices.
Attic and insulation
The attic and insulation is another area of a home many people do not consider when initially looking at a home. For a home inspector, there is a wealth of information, such as: structural issues (rafter spread), evidence of moisture, evidence of roof damage, electrical wiring methods and more. Over the past 100 years insulation has gone from people using old newspaper to advanced fire retardant material. Knowing what your looking at is extremely important, when it comes to the health and safety of your family.
Heating & Cooling System
A standard home inspector will confirm that a home’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system (HVAC) is functional at the time of inspection. I check the filter, the flame and if the unit was regularly maintained.
I tell you how old your home air conditioning condenser (the unit outside) and furnance is, simply by checking the serial number. Most condensers will last 12 to 15 years before you start budgeting for replacement.
In many case homes had been heated with oil and there may be evidence of an oil tank on the property. It was common practice to bury tanks under ground before they were stored in basements. With underground tanks, it was common practice to fill the tanks with sand. Starting in 1989, abandoning tanks underground was no longer acceptable. If I find evidence of an underground oil tanks on the property, I will recommend verifying history and permits for the removal/abandonment.
Exhaust fans
Bathroom and kitchen fans must vent to the exterior. Part of the attic inspection is verifying exhaust ducting and connections. Keeping moisture out of the attic is extremely important to reduce water damage and mold. Kitchen fans that are not recirculating become a fire hazard if vented into the attic. Make sure your home inspector provides recommendation accordingly.
Structural integrity of the chimney
Chimneys can be a very costly, if there’s damage to the chimney lining or soot on the inside, if the masonry around the chimney is deteriorated. Having a home inspector being able to correctly analyses and diagnose a chimney system for proper function and safety, adds value to your home buying process.
Radon Gas
Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, but it is radioactive and carcinogenic. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends all homes be tested for the presence of radon. People are becoming more and more concerned about Radon and many homes have a system in place. These systems should be tested every 2 years and it is important to ask if the system was installed to EPA standard, by certified migration company, I recommend getting a test.
If testing is written into your contract or if you just want a Radon Test, I offer a reasonably priced test. Test takes 48 hour and results are immediate. I use a computerized radon gas testing machine. The test is 48 hours all windows and doors must be closed for accurate testing.
Roofing System
Roof problems are responsible for 39 percent of homeowner’s insurance claims. Find out how old the roof is and if there are any issues, if there are any problems. Sometimes owners will put a new roof on the home, before selling, ask the seller for any paperwork. It is also important to talk with your insurance company if there are more than 2 layers. During my home inspections in Kenosha, whether it is snowing or raining, I will always try to walk on a roof or put the ladder on an eave. There is no substitute, except safety, during a home inspection process to using a ladder.
Water drainage and disbursement
The biggest issue of any home is always going to be water disbursement. There’s the potential for damage to the foundation. If water is found to be in the vicinity of the house, you want the water to flow away from the house, not towards it.
While external water damage is easy to spot with a visual home inspection, potential damage hidden inside a home’s walls can bet harder to detect.
General maintenance items including checking/cleaning your gutters and downspouts, because if they aren’t functioning properly, water can seep into foundation. Water is the biggest enemy of your home.
While having a professional home inspector is great, it is highly recommended that you also do your own home inspection. Just see if things are working the way you think they should and do basic things like going outside and checking the gutters when it’s raining.
Electrical System
There are a couple of specific techniques and systems to look out for. First is called knob and tube wiring, also known as K&T, usually found in homes from about 1880s to the 1930s. This electrical system is usually underground and exposed in attics in basements which leads to potential for electric shock and fire hazards. Many insurance companies will not insure a home with knob & tube and you may have difficulties getting a loan.
Many homes also have also had old/obsolete/defective electrical panels. For example, when a circuit breaker is tripped in a Federal Pacific Electric panel, it can lead to overheating and fire. An experience home inspector makes a big difference.
Foundation
You want to make sure the house’s foundation is stable. I measure basement and crawlspace walls, look for cracks, fractures and movement. I look for water staining and test the sump pump and Palmer valve. Another important aspect of the foundation is the drainage system.
Plumbing Systems
The plumbing system not only consist of verify water flow/pressure and verifying water is flowing down the drains but includes foundation drainage. Foundation drainage is not visible and often neglected. Many homes over 100 years old were built without drainage systems. When the first drain tiles were installed, a Catch Basin was used to drain the water to the sewer. Many of these systems are still in use today. Following the Catch Basin was the Palmer Valves. This is a one-way flapper valve that is in the floor drain. It requires ongoing maintenance and most of the time during a home inspection it is stuck closed, requiring a Plumber to repair it. Finally, we have a Sump Pump, most people are familiar with these devices.
Attic and insulation
The attic and insulation is another area of a home many people do not consider when initially looking at a home. For a home inspector, there is a wealth of information, such as: structural issues (rafter spread), evidence of moisture, evidence of roof damage, electrical wiring methods and more. Over the past 100 years insulation has gone from people using old newspaper to advanced fire retardant material. Knowing what your looking at is extremely important, when it comes to the health and safety of your family.
Heating & Cooling System
A standard home inspector will confirm that a home’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system (HVAC) is functional at the time of inspection. I check the filter, the flame and if the unit was regularly maintained.
I tell you how old your home air conditioning condenser (the unit outside) and furnance is, simply by checking the serial number. Most condensers will last 12 to 15 years before you start budgeting for replacement.
In many case homes had been heated with oil and there may be evidence of an oil tank on the property. It was common practice to bury tanks under ground before they were stored in basements. With underground tanks, it was common practice to fill the tanks with sand. Starting in 1989, abandoning tanks underground was no longer acceptable. If I find evidence of an underground oil tanks on the property, I will recommend verifying history and permits for the removal/abandonment.
Exhaust fans
Bathroom and kitchen fans must vent to the exterior. Part of the attic inspection is verifying exhaust ducting and connections. Keeping moisture out of the attic is extremely important to reduce water damage and mold. Kitchen fans that are not recirculating become a fire hazard if vented into the attic. Make sure your home inspector provides recommendation accordingly.
Structural integrity of the chimney
Chimneys can be a very costly, if there’s damage to the chimney lining or soot on the inside, if the masonry around the chimney is deteriorated. Having a home inspector being able to correctly analyses and diagnose a chimney system for proper function and safety, adds value to your home buying process.
Radon Gas
Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, but it is radioactive and carcinogenic. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends all homes be tested for the presence of radon. People are becoming more and more concerned about Radon and many homes have a system in place. These systems should be tested every 2 years and it is important to ask if the system was installed to EPA standard, by certified migration company, I recommend getting a test.
If testing is written into your contract or if you just want a Radon Test, I offer a reasonably priced test. Test takes 48 hour and results are immediate. I use a computerized radon gas testing machine. The test is 48 hours all windows and doors must be closed for accurate testing.
Here's what People are Saying About US
John did my inspection, and he was fantastic. He found what was wrong, wrote a easy to read report, with 360 photos and had it a few hours later. I was able to negotiate a reduction in purchase price on the electrical issues. I would highly, highly recommend him.
- N.J., October 2019
- N.J., October 2019
I had a great experience with John Balian. He immediately put my wife and I at ease with his and eagle eyes calm demeanor! He was so thorough yet patient with our 20 questions and finger pointing at everything. We are clueless first-time home buyers with a lot of anxiety. John’s professionalism and expertise were exactly what we needed. Turns out the property had far more issues than we expected, so I thank John for saving us from a costly and unimaginably stressful purchase. We learned a lot from the inspection and we will definitely use what I learned on the next houses we look at. And I will make sure to used John on our next inspection. Thanks again! Really want to buy our first home with confidence.
- H.B., October 2019
- H.B., October 2019
I would recommend Amelia’s Home Inspection without reservation. While researching different home inspectors, a family friend recommended John Balian. After speaking with him, the company owner, we decided to go with him. He is as knowledgeable a professional as they come. He works for you, truly independent and gives you an honest and thorough assessment, and works to make sure you understand his findings. We loved the easy to navigate report, with the 360 photos, and yes, we received the report the same day. Excellent service and experience!
- D.W., October 2019
- D.W., October 2019
Amelia’s Home Inspection has been great to deal with. I have used them 2 times on my investment properties and the both times he found some major issues and saved me money. My go to guy for home inspections! Thank you so much!
- S.P., October 2019
- S.P., October 2019
The inspector explained everything he found, and what needed to be done to correct the issues. Had great recommendations! Was impressed by his professional attitude. Very happy with the fast service!
- R.C., September 2019
- R.C., September 2019
John was super flexible with his scheduling. I work 3rd shift and he was able to meet me early morning to look at my new home. The house was vacant, wo we were able to do the inside first and then the outside last. The report I received back was very thorough.
- T.J., September 2019
- T.J., September 2019
Very thorough and took time to explain everything and answer all my questions. Thanks John, I will recommend you!
- V.D., September 2019
- V.D., September 2019
Very thorough and professional. We were pleased with the service provided.
- J.B., September 2019
- J.B., September 2019
Just wonderful and helpful experience. I felt like he was truly concerned about my Home. I have recommended him to 2 people since he did mine.
- V.R., September 2019
- V.R., September 2019
John was fantastic from start to finish. Easy to schedule, very thorough, professional, friendly, and explained everything along the way. During his inspection, he walked me through everything he noticed and even gave me a few tips. He was very friendly and passionate, which I think is a plus in his industry. I will be recommending him to all my friends and family in the future. Top notch. Awesome experience. Thanks again!
- S.S., August 2019
- S.S., August 2019
We worked with John when inspecting our new home and he was very easy to work with. He was very thorough and patiently explained issues in simple terms during the inspection. He was easily available after the inspection for quick answers/ clarifications and even updated the report after a few needed repairs. I would work with him in the future!
- A.A., August 2019
- A.A., August 2019
John Balian did a great job on my inspection. This guy is a first-rate professional. This was an inner city investment, he looked at a house and went through the place like a detective. There was so much junk in the basement, he was still able to find a foundation issues. I later wondered how many inspectors would have even tried move things to measure the walls. This guy not only does a thorough inspection but he has a wealth of knowledge about houses and how things work. You realize your talking to a guy who knows his stuff. I'll be using Amelia’s Home Inspection again.
- M.G., August 2019
- M.G., August 2019
John is a wonderful human being, and he is very customer focused – always available to answer any question on the phone. He is very easy to talk to and breaks down answers to non-technical explanations. He always delivers high-quality work through his hard work. He is very thorough and his knowledge in the field is second to none. John is very prompt with his reports and 360 photos. He is an expert in investment properties. He is your best value for your investment properties – I highly recommend him! Good luck!
- A.S., July 2019
- A.S., July 2019
Very impressed with John and his level of expertise, got the report fast, he really knows his stuff. John let us follow him during the inspection and was wonderful at answering my questions immediately. He inspected our soon to be home as if it was his own. He went in the crawl space and on the roof, he even removed a gable vent, so he could look in the attic. Had an extensive knowledge on lake house construction. Thanks again! I would highly recommend him.
- A.R., July 2019
- A.R., July 2019
First time using John, he very professional, communicated clearly and very passionate, always stopped to answer any questions I had. John was great and very friendly, he went on the roof and looked the down the chimney (joked with my son that Santa was not inside). Had the report 2 hours later. It was very clear, extremely detailed, easy to read, with pictures, I was impressed with the 360 photography. My friends and family thought it was cool too. Thanks John. I will definitely recommend you!
- D.W., July 2019
- D.W., July 2019
I highly recommend John Balian. He thoroughly inspected a 127 year old house I was buying and provided a detailed report that evening. His recommendations saved me a lot of money and helped me prioritize renovation. Even after our inspection, John was more than happy to follow up on issues he had discovered during the inspection. Thanks John!
- C.H., July 2019
- C.H., July 2019
John did an incredible job with our inspection. This is my first time buying a home and I was nervous about getting this part right, but John made it easy. Afterward I really felt like I understood my new house and I was able to easily prioritize.
- A.P., June 2019
- A.P., June 2019
I wanted radon testing done and John was extremely timely and very informative! He provided helpful tips which were much appreciated.
- V.T., June 2019
- V.T., June 2019
John did a great job with our inspection. He was very professional, thorough and reasonably priced! I would highly recommend John.
- M.S., June 2019
- M.S., June 2019
John was great! Very impressed, he explained everything very thoroughly. His technology and reports are really one of a kind.
- D.G., June 2019
- D.G., June 2019
John was friendly and thorough, willing to answer all questions. As first time home buyers, he explained every area as we went through the inspection. I received the report later that evening His report is a great reference for small issues that aren't fixed by the seller. Great experience and would recommend him.
- F.A., May 2019
- F.A., May 2019
John did a very thorough job and was easy to work with. The advice he gave me on my pre-inspection net me an extra $10,000 and a quick sale! Definitely recommend him to anyone. I will use him again!!
- H.S., May 2019
- H.S., May 2019
Friendly, professional and very thorough! Reasonably priced!
- L.B., May 2019
- L.B., May 2019
Thanks John! The home inspection and report was very thorough. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
- J.T., May 2019
- J.T., May 2019
Accurate.Precise information..John Balin did the inspection the same week we called.. That provided the time to get further information on the house..No detail withheld. Would use again and recommend.
- R.G., April 2019
- R.G., April 2019
John was very detailed and helpful, he met with me on a short notice and gave me very good advice, showed me things I would have never thought of. I highly recommend him for any inspection. Thanks John
- L.W., April 2019
- L.W., April 2019
John was great! Went looking for an investment property and actually rejected the first house after he found numerous concerns. A week later I found another prospect and called John after I had an accepted offer. He did another amazing job. Would highly recommend. Detail oriented, thorough, and professional.
- M.L., April 2019
- M.L., April 2019
John’s report are detailed and easy to navigate. I use it like a check list every time I’m looking for a to-do. Scheduling and payment was quick and easy. He was also accommodating, especially with the Radon test, when the sellers air conditioner went out. We had plenty of time with our contingency and he came back after the AC was fixed. A radon test requires closing all windows for 2 days, which wasn’t practical on a hot summer day. Within a few hours after the inspection, I had the completed report with pictures of the areas of concern. Overall a great experience. Thanks again.
- S.N., April 2019
- S.N., April 2019
I really enjoyed experience with John, I learned so much from the process. He had incredible attention to detail, and explained not only what he found, but how to fix it, and how serious of a problem it could be. He worked around my schedule and did a thorough job on the inspection. We got our inspection report the same evening and it was complete and easy to understand. I feel so much more confident buying the home after having worked with John. Additionally, he was pleasant to work with I would recommended him for your home inspection!
- T.M., April 2019
- T.M., April 2019
John was very thorough and made the experience of buying our first home easier and more informed. Recommend.
- W.K., April 2019
- W.K., April 2019
Best in Technology
At Amelia’s Home Inspection we have invested in the latest technology including report writing software, cloud services, state of the art radon gas testing. We are the leaders in innovation, helping realtors and homebuyers. Currently, we are the only home inspection company that allows on-line scheduling, e-signing of on-line agreement, on-line payments, on-line report retrieval and more. We focus on the delivering exceptional value for your money without compromising on quality at any stage. Our emphasis is on quality and longstanding reputations that sets us apart from the other inspectors. Below is a sample of 360 photography in all home inspections for all general photos.
Interactive Home Inspection Report Software
The home inspection report is delivered the same day and is an important document for the real estate transaction. It is your opportunity to prioritize, negotiate with the seller, budget for future. It is valuable information you need to make an informed home buying decision and protect your investment.
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My interactive report software allows you to select items that are important to you and create a separate document that you can present to the seller. Watch the video. Also allowing for 360 photos. All general photos are taken with a 360 spherical camera. No more hand-written inspection reports. No more old PDF reports you can’t cut/paste from. No more sorting through 100’s of photos. No more radon canters or waiting for labs. Amelia's Home Inspection has the experience and value that new home owners are looking for. We offer the same dedication to customer service, value, and transparency on every job. Our commitment has helped us develop relationships throughout South Eastern Wisconsin.
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Amelia's Home Inspection • 10413 S George Drive, Oak Creek, WI 53154 • 414-349-6896