Our Services

BCS provides construction project management services for Federal-owned or -leased office building construction and renovation projects.

BCS also performs residential home inspections on new and used homes as well as commercial inspections for potential buyers and sellers.

Home Inspections. . . for potential home buyers or sellers of new or used houses

BCS, Inc. provides residential home inspections for buyers and sellers for new and used houses.  This page outlines what a home inspection includes and who needs a home inspection.  It also gives tips for home sellers to help give your home a competitive edge.

PLUS, a unique value we provide is the expertise of a licensed, professional engineer at no extra cost to the client when situations require expert advice.

For more information or for a free quote, please contact Heather Naples at 703.641.0788, or e-mail heather@bcservices-inc.com.

Key Benefits

• Owner is a Professional Engineer and certified as a Residential/Commercial Real Estate Inspector and will provide expert advice when needed, at no extra cost
• All inspectors on staff are affiliated with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
• Inspection includes a book and report presented at the end of the inspection

What a Home Inspection includes:

A typical home inspection reviews the condition of the home’s structure and any systems affecting occupancy of the home. The report will describe the house’s physical condition and indicate what may need major repair or replacement. The inspection generally takes 2 to 4 hours to perform, and the report is generated during the inspection. The report includes two copies of the checklist and a book.

The following is a list of items that will be examined during the inspection:

Roofing System
Roofing Material and Sheathing
Flashing and Joints
Gutters and Downspouts
Attic Ventilation
Skylights (back to top)

Exterior
Siding Material
Trim
Primary Windows
Doors
Porches and Decks
Steps and Rails
Garages and Carports (back to top)

Foundations/Basements/Structures
Foundation Type and Material
Structure Type and Material
Basement or Crawl Space Ventilation
Interior Drainage
Exterior Drainage (back to top)

Plumbing System
Main Supply Line and Shut Off
Interior Plumbing Line Materials
Water Pressure and Drainage Flow
Fixtures and Faucets
Hot Water Heater (back to top)

Electrical System
Exterior Service and Meter
Main Panel and Sub-panels
Wiring
Interior Components (switches, outlets, etc.)
Exterior Components (switches, outlets, etc.) (back to top)

Heating and Air Conditioning System
Furnace or Boiler
Heat Pump
Ductwork
Distribution System
Fireplace (back to top)

Interior
Insulation
Kitchen Appliances
Walls and Ceiling
Finished Floors
Cabinets and Countertops
Interior Doors and Hardware
Interior of Windows
Rails and Stairs (back to top)

Every inspection report includes "A Home Inspection Manual for Buyers and Homeowners" book which describes what was and was not inspected, identifies the systems and items in the house and discloses their condition.  The format is the same throughout the book and checklist, so that the client can interpret the report easily at a later date.  The book is also an owner's manual with maintenance and upkeep suggestions.

Who Needs a Home Inspection?

Home Buyers
A prospective home buyer should learn as much as he or she can about the condition of the property and the need for any major repairs before the purchase.  A seller may adjust the purchase price or make repairs if major problems are found.

Home Sellers
A prospective home seller may wish to have an inspection prior to placing his or her house on the market in order to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.

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Tips for Home Sellers:

Give your home a competitive edge by being aware of what buyers and home inspectors are looking for and making appropriate repairs or upgrades. This not only makes your home more attractive and desirable, it also simplifies the negotiation process when the time comes for the buyers’ pre-purchase inspection.

(1)  Check the major systems.

Home inspectors are primarily concerned with and will report to the buyer on the condition of the following systems:

Roof
Exterior
Foundation/Basement/Structure
Plumbing
Electrical
Heating & Air Conditioning (back to top)

(2)  Make Maintenance Improvements

Home inspectors often estimate the remaining life of a component or system. They base these estimates in part on evidence of current maintenance. The following improvements are relatively inexpensive and can substantially improve the home’s appearance:

Trim landscape that touches the exterior or roof of the house

Apply new caulking around windows and doors if the caulking is cracked

Clean gutters of debris and make sure the water drains away from the
house by re-grading the soil as necessary

Have the heating and air conditioning systems professionally serviced and clean or replace dirty filters

Make sure there is adequate ventilation in the attic and basement or crawl space to prevent moisture build-up

Clean vinyl or aluminum siding and downspouts with a bleach/water solution to remove mildew

Repaint exterior trim if the paint is peeling or cracking (back to top)

(3)  Make Minor Repairs

Some buyers will shy away from a house needing minor repairs, some of which can be fixed very easily and inexpensively. Common repair items include:

Repair leaky faucets
Replace broken window screens and panes of glass
Secure loose railings
Patch holes or cracks in walls and ceilings, then refinish
Make sure all windows open and shut easily
Replace all burned out light bulbs

Also, keep areas clear to give buyers and home inspectors access to the garage, crawl space, hot water heater, furnace or boiler, and electrical panel.(back to top)