If you're buying a home...

Choosing a new home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Long-term enjoyment of your home can be affected by system defects and unexpected maintenance needs.

ESI will help you choose wisely so you can purchase confidently, by providing a thorough, professional and unbiased inspection of your potential new home.

If you're selling your home...

An ESI home inspection will identify and prioritize areas that need attention in your home. We'll point out the most important and cost-effective repairs that can help your home sell faster.

Issues revealed by an inspection can also help prevent deal-breaking surprises after a purchase offer is accepted, when the buyer's home inspection is performed.

If you're happy in the home you now own...

ESI recommends a home maintenance checkup every 3 to 5 years. We'll help you focus your time, energy and finances on priority areas that can save money in the long run.

Improve your home environment by addressing safety issues, water and moisture intrusion, pests, heating and air cooling, or any other concerns you may have about your home, with an ESI home maintenance checkup.

Energy and Environment...

ESI is a green home inspection service. We perform every inspection with energy usage and environmental sustainability in mind.

As an added free service, buyers and homeowners will receive valuable ideas on how to lower their energy usage (and their energy bills), and sellers will learn of any "green selling points" that may help their homes sell faster.

Radon is…

a cancer-causing, naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in America

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Currently 37 counties in New York State, including Tompkins and Schuyler, have been designated high-radon-risk areas.

The U.S. Surgeon General, the American Society of Home Inspectors and the EPA all recommend that every home should be tested for radon.

When a home tests positive for high levels of radon (4 pCi/L or more) a second confirmation test is performed. If necessary, a referral to a radon-remediation specialist is made. Often very simple measures such as improving basement ventilation can reduce radon to a safe level.

When a septic system fails…

sewage can back up into your home or contaminate your yard and well water. Replacement of the septic drain field can cost thousands of dollars. The most important thing you can do to prevent septic system failure is to empty your holding tank every 2 to 4 years or yearly if you use a garbage disposal.

During septic dye testing, fluorescent dye is placed in an interior plumbing waste water receptacle, usually the toilet. Forty-eight hours later, the ground over the septic drain field is inspected for any indications of system failure.

Please note that for septic testing to be reliable, there must be a current occupant in the home, and the holding tank should not have been emptied in the last few days before the test is performed.

An abundant supply of water…

is such a basic, essential part of life that we often overlook the systems that supply and deliver water within our homes.

Low water pressure—less than 40 pounds per square inch (PSI)—and low water volume—less than 5 gallons per minute (GPM)—are concerns for many homeowners. On the other hand, municipal or well water can be over-pressurized—sometimes exceeding 80 PSI—which can result in repeated leaks in plumbing and appliances.

Our tests measure water pressure up to 160 PSI and water flow up to 13 GPM. Our analysis will help you find ways to address any problems we identify.

ESI Consults:

Consultations for homeowners are available on an hourly basis to address specific areas in-depth. Investigating sources of, and remedies for, moisture/water intrusion can be performed at this time. Comprehensive roof inspections and assistance in planning renovations or additions are also available. Our infrared thermal-imaging camera can be helpful in diagnosing the above issues, as well as problem areas in electrical, heating, air-conditioning and plumbing systems, energy usage and sustainability.

As a green home inspection company, we specialize in ideas for lowering your energy usage and energy bills, and improving the environmental sustainability of your home.

Obtaining copies of…

all previous building permits on your property helps you know the history of your home by learning when and how additions or major alterations to the house were done, and who performed the work.

If permits are not on file for a particular job, it could mean that the work was not done by professionals, or that the construction does not meet building codes. Such situations could lead to problems. For example, if a wood-stove installation was not in compliance with safety codes, it would not be covered by your insurance.

Call your town building department for information on how to get copies of past building permits. In most cases you can obtain copies by going to the town office and paying a small copying fee. If you bring copies of building permits to the home inspection, ESI will review them with you for no additional cost. For an additional fee, ESI can also assist you in obtaining copies of building permits.