Quick AnswerA pre-purchase inspection is a full Level 2 inspection built specifically for the timeline and documentation needs of a real estate transaction. Buyers use it to know what they're actually purchasing, sellers use it to head off surprises during negotiations, and realtors use it to keep a deal moving without disputes over chimney condition. It includes the video camera scan of the flue plus attic, basement, and crawlspace access points, all documented in a written report you can share with anyone involved in the transaction. We have no stake in the sale either way, so the findings are reported straight, whatever they turn out to be.
What’s Included
A pre-purchase inspection is a Level 2 inspection with the reporting built around what a real estate transaction actually needs: clear documentation, a defensible timeline, and findings that hold up whether you're the buyer, the seller, or the agent trying to keep both sides informed. We don't work for one side of the deal. Our job is to tell you what condition the chimney is actually in, not to make the sale easier or harder.
- A full Level 1 visual inspection of the firebox, damper, and exterior masonry, establishing the baseline condition before the camera work begins.
- A complete video camera scan of the flue interior, documenting cracks, creosote glazing, shifted liner sections, or blockages that a walk-through alone would miss.
- Access-point checks in the attic, basement, and crawlspace wherever the chimney structure passes through, looking for water staining, gaps, or clearance issues that matter to a home inspector or insurer.
- A written, dated report formatted for real estate use, with findings organized clearly enough for a buyer, seller, or agent to read without a chimney background.
- Photo and video documentation included with the report, giving all parties the same evidence rather than a summary they have to take on faith.
- A flat-fee, written estimate for any recommended repairs, so a buyer or seller has real numbers to negotiate with instead of a vague warning.
Signs You Need This
- You're a buyer under contract on a home with a fireplace or chimney.
- You're a seller who wants to get ahead of a buyer's inspection findings.
- Your realtor is asking for chimney documentation before closing.
- The home has an older chimney with no recent inspection history.
- A general home inspection flagged the chimney for a closer look.
Our Process
Schedule Around Your Timeline
Real estate transactions move fast, so tell us your closing date and we'll fit the inspection into it.
Full Level 2 Inspection
The technician completes the visual check, camera scan, and attic, basement, or crawlspace access review in one visit.
Documented Report Prepared
We compile the findings, photos, and video into a written report formatted for buyers, sellers, and agents to read easily.
Report Delivered to All Parties
You receive the report promptly, with a flat-fee estimate attached for anything that needs repair before or after closing.
How Much Does It Cost?
A pre-purchase inspection is priced as a flat fee, in line with our standard Level 2 pricing, and we quote it before scheduling so there's no ambiguity heading into a transaction that already has enough moving parts. There's no charge based on what we find or which direction the findings cut for buyer or seller. If repairs come up in the report, we provide a separate written estimate that either party can use in negotiations. We can usually work around tight closing timelines without cutting corners on the inspection itself.
FAQs
It can be requested by either one, and sometimes by the realtor coordinating the sale. Either way, we report the chimney's condition the same way, since we're not working for one side of the transaction over the other.
We understand real estate timelines are usually tight, and we prioritize scheduling around your closing date whenever we can. Call (216) 238-9228 with your timeline and we'll let you know what's realistic.
No. A general home inspector typically does a limited visual check as part of a much broader inspection, while our pre-purchase inspection is a full Level 2 scope with a video camera scan of the entire flue. It's a more thorough, chimney-specific look than what's included in a standard home inspection.