Have Questions Regarding Inspections? Start Here.

Find clear answers about costs, timelines, reports, radon testing, and what to expect before scheduling your inspection.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long will the inspection take?

Inspection time depends on the property’s size, age, and condition. Most residential inspections take approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours. As a general guideline, we allow about one hour per 1,000 square feet to ensure a thorough evaluation. Unique layouts, additional systems, or client questions may slightly extend the timeframe.

Inspection fees vary based on property size, type, location, and any additional services requested. To provide accurate pricing, we first gather the property address and relevant details. Our pricing reflects the level of expertise, reporting quality, and service we provide. We remain competitive while maintaining high inspection standards.

Radon testing typically starts at $230 for a standard two-monitor test. Additional monitors may be required depending on the size and layout of the home, with an added fee per monitor. Final pricing may vary slightly based on distance and specific property conditions.

For the last 30 years, The BrickKicker has been focusing on providing exceptional inspection services to buyers and sellers alike. In addition to the ‘standard’ inspection, we can provide a pre-listing inspection, multi-unit inspection, condo/townhome inspection, commercial building inspection, home maintenance review, post mitigation radon testing, daycare/preschool radon testing, mold swabbing, sewer scoping, drain cleaning, new construction inspections, and pre-drywall.

Most inspection reports are delivered the same day as the inspection. In some cases, delivery may occur the following morning. Reports are sent via email and are released once payment has been received and the inspection agreement is fully executed.

We accept major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Discover, and Mastercard) through a secure payment link included in your confirmation email. Cash or check payments may also be made directly to the inspector at the time of service. Reports are released once payment is completed.

The home inspection is a visual examination of a property’s condition. A standard home inspection is not a code-compliance inspection, as each region and municipality has its own code-compliance inspection. The standard inspection usually includes:

  • Structural Components: Exterior, Foundation, Roof, Attic, Garage(s)/Outbuilding(s) & Interior Components: Rooms, Bathrooms, Kitchen(s)
  • Systems: HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing
  • Other: (May be added above and beyond the standard inspection for an added fee and service agreement, outside the scope of a normal inspection) Pool/Spa, Radon Testing, Mold Swabbing (while on site), Sewer Scoping.

Yes. A signed inspection agreement is required before the inspection takes place and before the report is released. The agreement outlines the scope and terms of service and must be completed either online prior to the inspection or on-site with the inspector.

Yes. We proudly offer a 10% discount on standard inspection services to veterans, active military members, National Guard members, and first responders. We even have a published discount offer on franchise territories.

We provide residential, commercial, and environmental inspection services. 

  • Residential services include single-family homes, condos, townhomes, multi-family properties, new construction, luxury homes, and manufactured homes. 
  • Commercial services include offices, warehouses, retail, industrial, and institutional properties. 
  • Environmental services include radon testing, mold sampling, sewer camera inspections, pool/spa inspections, pest/WDI inspections, thermal imaging, and drone evaluations.

We strongly encourage clients to attend the inspection when possible. Being present allows you to better understand the property and ask questions in real time. If you are unable to attend, we provide a detailed report with photos and remain available to discuss findings by phone, email, or text.

No. We are not licensed appraisers. An appraisal determines a property’s market value, while an inspection evaluates its physical condition and identifies potential issues.

Yes. We inspect both in-ground and above-ground pools, along with associated equipment. The pool must be operational and open at the time of inspection. Pool inspections are an add-on service and are not included in a standard home inspection.

Yes. If you have worked with a specific inspector before, we are happy to accommodate requests when scheduling permits. All of our inspectors are trained to deliver a consistent, detailed The BrickKicker inspection experience.

We request that cancellations or changes be made at least 2 hours before the scheduled inspection time. Late cancellations may result in a trip fee (minimum $150), depending on the situation. For us, service comes first, but when applied, a fee is warranted.

Inspectors use safe and practical methods to evaluate the roof, even when snow is present. This may include ladders, camera poles, binoculars, or attic observations. If snow coverage limits visibility and you prefer a re-evaluation once conditions improve, a return visit can be scheduled at a discounted fee.

Yes, the legal entities and employees of The BrickKicker are covered by business professional and general liability insurance as well as errors & omissions insurance. A certificate of insurance can be requested if needed. Reach out to request@brickkicker.com for a COI. 

The BrickKicker has remained successful for 34+ years because we remain independent and unbiased. We report on what we see at the time of the inspection and will offer guidance on action items. We have no particular interest in any products or third-party services. We just want to offer guidance to those who may be overwhelmed by decisions about maintaining their home.

Yes, as long as conditions are safe. In fact, inclement weather can sometimes help reveal drainage or performance issues. Severe weather may cause delays or require rescheduling for safety reasons.

We provide a cursory review of selected appliances for “on-off” function only and strictly as a courtesy to our clients. This may also only be considered an inventory of appliances present during the inspection. Temperatures, thermostats, features, functions, and cycles are not verified. We strongly recommend that the client(s) verify proper operation of all appliances during the final walk-through and before the closing.

All of our inspectors are equipped to take photos and report on the property at the time of inspection. However, we do not print reports on-site and often won’t send them until the inspector returns to their office for a final review. Our goal is to have the inspection report out the same day, or at the latest, by the next morning’s coffee. Your inspector will do a recap with you if you are on-site and make note of any specific questions.

Most homes are inspected by a single inspector. Larger properties (typically over 6,000 square feet) may require two inspectors. If an additional inspector is requested for scheduling efficiency, a flat fee may apply.

The @brickkicker.com is our main website. The BrickKickercommercial.com is our website dedicated to all things commercial.

We accept multiple forms of payment. Currently, we accept Cash/Check, which would be paid in exact amount to the inspector at the time of inspection, or credit/debit card via a secure link in our confirmation email.

The BrickKicker is a nationally registered trademark. Two legal entities make up The BrickKicker: HBI Inspection Services, Inc., a C-corp that operates our Chicagoland Inspection business, and Ronlen Enterprises, Inc., an S-corp that operates our Franchise Network. Both are independently owned and operated. The DBA for each entity is The BrickKicker.

Yes, go to The @brickkicker.com or click HERE.

We are always looking to hire great talent that can help us push the envelope towards our mission. We encourage any interested parties to submit a resume to The @brickkicker.com/job-opportunities

This depends on the situation or the type of inspection. If we are doing a pre-listing inspection or home maintenance review, the homeowner could gain value from being present. During a traditional buyer’s inspection, the homeowner typically leaves, as the agent and client are on-site with the inspector. On occasion, the homeowner has stayed to answer any questions that may come up. This is all up to the homeowner and the real estate team.

No, all of our reports are written in English. However, we do have two licensed inspectors on staff who will translate and communicate in Spanish.

Yes, we currently have two licensed Spanish-speaking inspectors. They will translate and speak the language at the inspection. However, the report will be delivered in English.

Yes, we have an entire team and website, The BrickKickercommercial.com, dedicated to commercial. Many of our franchise locations do commercial inspections as well, so any correspondence should go to commercial@brickkicker.com. Each commercial job is reviewed by our commercial manager, and a detailed proposal is given.

Yes. We apply the same independent, unbiased approach, examining the component in question within the same scope as the standard residential inspection. Pricing depends on what needs to be considered in conjunction with the property’s location and the time of year (our busy season may warrant a higher fee). Please reach out for pricing and scope.

All of our inspection reports are sent as PDF documents to the client and the buyer’s agent. Additional resources, such as a final walkthrough checklist and life expectancy, are included with the report. 

In addition, we send all our clients a HomeBinder, a free, digital tool to maintain and organize all maintenance aspects of the property. To support the buyer’s agent, we provide a RepairPricer tool at no charge with all inspections to expedite estimating based on the documented inspection findings.

We generally schedule 9 AM, 12 noon, and 3 PM, 7 days a week. We do have part-time inspectors with evening and weekend availability. During the winter months, evening inspections could be limited. If a time outside our normal slots is required, please let us know.

The BrickKicker is a Nationally Registered Trademark, an umbrella for two legal entities: HBI Inspection Services Inc., our local Chicago-based inspection firm, and Ronlen Enterprises, the parent entity of our franchise operations. 

We currently have 28 franchise units across the country, each independently owned and operated. Our Chicagoland “Home” office is an open laboratory for our franchise owners, providing training and growth opportunities.

Our inspectors take pride in leaving the home in the same condition as it was found. They will either bring a pair of ‘Indoor Shoes’ or shoe covers to help keep the floors clean and sanitary.

Yes. Our digital reports include clear photos documenting both general conditions and specific findings. In some cases, video may be included to better illustrate certain conditions.

Yes, any one of our numbers can be used in a text fashion. We remain committed to prompt responses to questions and scheduling requests.

Our Chicago-based team has not had enough demand for this to warrant keeping this cost on the books. Our real estate agents in this market almost always show up to the inspection or may offer a 1-day code.

We currently do not test irrigation systems, as it is a service beyond the scope of our inspection license. We would refer irrigation system checks to local vendors/partners, depending on the client’s needs.

Yes, if the price to be matched is within reason and it earns the business. Any discounts above the standard $25 off should be entered as a non-net discount.

Our inspectors will access and observe any and all areas of the home that are readily accessible and deemed safe to enter/access. These spaces give us great insight into the structure and performance of the home, often areas that are overlooked or seldom serviced. If we cannot safely access it or it’s blocked, we will document what is seen and what is inaccessible.

RepairPricer is now offered at no charge to all buyer’s agents. The RepairPricer email is sent to the buyer’s agent after the inspection report is delivered.

Our inspectors are specifically licensed and certified in our industry, and our scope of work is from a generalist perspective. The nature of licensure for plumbers and local unions prevents home inspectors from defining plumbing code requirements. We do our best to stay up to date on practical, applicable plumbing practices to align with the inspection industry’s standards of practice.

We do not do a stand-alone mold test/inspection. Our inspectors carry mold swab kits, and if a suspect material is found and safely accessible at the time of the inspection, the inspector will take a sample and discuss the findings with the client/agent. There is a lab fee for the mold swabs, and results are available within 24-48 hours. If a client wants a mold-only service, we would refer them to https://greatenvironmental.com/ or https://knowmold.com/.

Partial inspections focus on specific systems or components and are priced on a case-by-case basis depending on scope, time required, and location. Fees typically start at $150.

We typically schedule the inspection based on a 1-hour-per-1,000 sq ft rate. We do not want our guys to feel rushed, and with traffic in the metro area, drive times can be heavy. It’s always safer to add an extra hour if it’s a larger home or a longer distance.

FAQs may be subject to change based on operation. Each office is individually owned and operated. These FAQs are for the main operation in Chicago.