Inspectors

Here is a short list of some home inspectors in the Twin Cities metro area. Estimates are based on an 1100 finished square foot single family home.  The video covers the basics of what to expect during your basic home inspection.

 

HOME INSPECTIONS

REASSURANCE HOME INSPECTIONS
http://www.rhimn.com
Doug Palmer – 612-916-4142
Troy Forbes – 763-350-6925

Dave Taurinskas-- 612-701-9672

Veterans get a discount on all home inspections

Single family home: $400
Rentals: + $125 per additional unit

The inspectors at this company are trained to examine a house for moisture, and if they find enough moisture they can prequalify it for a free Preliminary Bacteria and Mold Evaluation Test. These tests go 3”or 5” into the walls, and can provide you with a mitigation estimate. Normally these tests cost $350-500, but if this company can prequalify your house, you get it for free.

RADON 

These inspectors refer out radon tests. After thoroughly researching the issue of radon, they found that accurate radon testing requires a year of observation, as there is too much fluctuation by day and week. Also, radon equipment is allowed to be off by 25%.  A 2019 study found that Short-term radon test kits are not effective in measuring radon gas exposure, the only reliable way to measure exposure to radon gas is with a long-term testing kit, 90 or more days.

A study of radon tests by St. John's University in St. Cloud showed that there is a 13 point difference among radon tests. 

The World Health Organization recommends long-term testing for accuracy:  

[Radon] concentrations not only vary substantially with the season but also from day to day and even from hour to hour. Because of these fluctuations, estimating the annual average concentration of radon in indoor air requires reliable measurements of mean radon concentrations for at least three months and preferably longer. Short-term measurements provide only a crude indication of the actual radon concentration. From The WHO Handbook on Indoor Health.

In some countries, radon measurements are part of a standard home safety assessment which is carried out before a sale. Although real-estate transactions provide a window of opportunity to assess hazards associated with a property, the pressure to conclude a sale often interferes with accurate assessment of the potential radon hazard. In countries such as the USA, where radon testing during real-estate transactions is a common practice, side-by-side (collocated) short-term measurements at a single location are usually applied. These diagnostic tests frequently fail in radon-prone areas with strong seasonal radon variation. Current short-term radon measurement technologies are unable to produce accurate estimates of annual-average radon concentrations (Steck 1990, Steck 1992, White 1994, White et al. 1994). In some cases, short-term measurements may be used if they are interpreted using a wide confidence interval to identify homes with elevated radon concentrations. However, this practice may lead to misclassifying homes as having either high or low long-term radon concentrations. Long-term measurements can be started simultaneously with short-term measurements, to allow the transaction to proceed while an accurate assessment takes place. (p. 27-28). From the WHO

There are no studies that actually prove that radon causers cancer, they just show correlation.  There are ten other things in a house that can cause cancer as well. Rainfall and snow will act like a cap on the ground and force the radon gas into the house. You can buy a Safety Siren device for less than a radon test, can plug it in and continually average out radon levels.

To avoid distraction:  These inspectors prefer  the buyer comes at end of inspection for an hour.

"Repair and Maintenance Products" 

MINNESOTA HOME INSPECTORS

https://www.minnesotahomeinspectors.com
651-489-4633
$400, sometimes seasonal discounts
Radon - only till end of 2018, $75 if do with inspection
They bring a moisture detector.
Prefer buyer at inspection.


RESIDENTIAL INSPECTION SERVICES

https://www.inspectionsmn.com
Residential Inspection Services
5817 Hansen Rd
Edina, MN  55436
(952) 929-7323
$375, +50-75 for duplex
$150 Radon
Brings moisture meter and infrared device
Prefers buyer at inspection
Scheduling some Saturdays


AMERISPEC INSPECTION SERVICES

www.amerispechome.com
952-854-5110
This a company based in Memphis, that has franchises all over the U.S.  Their Minnesota franchise is based in Bloomington. They have 5 salaried inspectors, all who have been doing inspections for over 11 years. Current prices they quoted me (May 2014) were:

• Home inspection:  $365 (minus $50 referral discount or coupon which is sometimes available on their page)
• Radon Test $145 (results can be obtained in 48 hours)
• Both tests:  $460 (includes $50 coupon)

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FURNACE SAFETY CHECKS

A home inspection will typically evaluate basic furnace information.  I do recommend also getting a regular furnace tune-up and safety check in addition. This typically is relatively inexpensive.  Here are a few furnace technicians, some I have worked with.

Furnace Pro MN

612-616-69459

Twin Cities area

Mike Rousch put in a furnace for me that was significantly less than other estimates, and it was a high-efficiency furnace on top of it.  His furnace cleaning and safety check is only $80.  If he also inspects the AC that is an additional $50.  Mike also offers certified furnace inspections for $159. He is a small business owner.  YOu may want to text when you call if you don't get him his VM forwards to an answering service.

Tiger Plumbing and Heating (was Dave's Heating and Cooling)

1601 37th Ave NE
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
(763) 781-6901

When Dave ran the company he did furnace inspections and installed furnaces for me as well. I don't recall the prices but he did a good job and was affordable. It's since been sold to Tiger Plumbing and Heating. 

Skyline Heating and Air

I haven't used this company, but they offer a furnace tune-up for $99.  As of 2020, the quoted a 95% high efficiency furnaces starting at $3600, prices may change over time.
7100 Medicine Lake Rd, New Hope, MN 5542
(763) 208-1558
https://skylineheatingandair.com/?page_id=2687 

Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning 
Brooklyn Park, MN
(763) 536-0667
Furnace Tune Up and Inspection $104.95
Plus AC Tune Up and Inspection $189.90
(Includes refrigerant, temp need to be above 55 degrees to get accurate refrigerant reading)

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SEWER LINE VIDEO INSPECTIONS

Here are some contractors who do sewer pipe video inspections.

Drain Busters 
Inspections only, no repairs.
952-925-9583
$175/video inspection.
They send out a link to the video.
http://drainbustersmn.com

Ron the Sewer Rat
612-389-9393
$178

SEWER LINE VIDEO REPAIRS

Here are some contractors who do sewer pipe repairs, some also do video inspections.

M and B Services, Jim Boston
Sewer excavation & lining
612-710-8892
Licensed in St. Paul, Mpls, and metro areas
www.mb-servicesllc.com
This company gave the lowest estimate for a client of mine, others were 1k+ higher.  Jim says they like to do their research before giving an estimate, not just throw numbers out there.

Gene's Water and Sewer

Sewer excavation & lining
612-781-3737
Metro area except St. Paul
https://www.geneswaterandsewer.com/services.html


ASAP Underground
Sewer excavation & lining
Free Estimates
Work in St. Paul & Mpls
651-493-3744


Matt's Plumbing Solutions LLC
651-464-6937
Minneapolis and St. Paul trenchless pipe repair company
Video inspection of $195 to make an estimate
http://www.minnesotapipelining.com


Trenchless Pipe Lining
866-690-7451
Website says no damage to basement or need to trench.
https://www.craftsmanpipelining.com/st-paul-pipe-lining-company-does-trenchless-sewer-repair-lasting-100-years/


Minneapolis & Suburban Sewer & Water
612-861-6076
Free Estimates
https://minneapolisandsuburbansewerandwater.com

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CHIMNEY INSPECTIONS

When chimneys get old, the clay tile lining the chimneys tend to crack. This can allow flames to penetrate outside the stack and cause a fire.  Repairs can run several thousand dollars. These are very well advised inspections to do.  All these chimney inspectors will provide repair estimates if needed.


Chimney Doctors
952-888-5252 Entire metro area
$209 if cleaning not needed, includes a camera inspection (depends on creosote buildup)
$289 if cleaning needed (they won't know till they get there)
Check their website for specials 
https://www.chimneydoctorsmn.com


2nd Generation Chimneys
612-255-9891

$199 if cleaning not needed, includes a camera inspection (depends on creosote buildup)

$299 if cleaning needed (they won't know till they get there)

Check their website for specials
https://www.2ndgenerationchimneys.com


Nick's Chimney Cleaning
612-504-8443

Inspections:
$175 Level I inspection:  Pictures, but no camera, no cleaning
$239 Level II Inspection:  Camera, no cleaning

Inspection and Cleaning:
$239 -- Cleaning and Pictures, no camera
$289 -- Cleaning and Camera

https://www.nickschimneyservicemn.com

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STAND ALONE RADON TESTING

Usually inspectors are able to do radon testing, but if you want to order it yourself, here are a few options.

Twin Cities Radon Testing
Jeremy
612-245-3222
$195
And the agent needs to be there to let the person in.
https://www.twincitiesradonservices.com/

North Star Radon Testing
(651) 483-5885http://www.northstarradon.com/

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SELLER'S CITY-REQUIRED INSPECTIONS

Paochoua 'Ethan' Vang

APEX Home Inspection LLC 

651-788-6374 

ethanvang@gmail.com

Barry Eliason, Structure Tech

612-840-7861

I have used Barry for a few houses

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List of inspectors from the City of St Paul:

https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/truth-sale-housing/schedule-tish-inspection

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HOUSE CLEANERS

Vasquez Cleaning Services

612-707-5323

They work both in Mpls and St. Paul, and are very affordable

Amy's Cleaning Service

952-374-9101

Usually works only in Mpls.