lRead the reviews from lowest rating to highest to get accurate picture of this business when the home has issues; if the home were clean and no problem, then nothing will show up because the inspector was pleasant enough during inspection. Joe Dunford of First Choice was my inspector for the condo I purchased March 2020. I am just getting around to writing a review because I've had to focus on getting things running and repaired and COVID complicated things. I spent part of the time while Joe was inspecting, measuring the rooms with my realtor and talking to a paint and floor contractor. I was looking at the realtor and the inspector to tell me what I should be doing, and I trusted him because he came so highly recommended. I should have been inspecting the condo with him because I may have seen some these problems that he missed. Don't make that mistake. The inspection contract was mostly about their exclusions and what does not get inspected and how they are not liable for anything. By then I was stuck and had no time to change plans. I wish I had just dropped the whole thing. Woulda Shoulda. First, if you buy a condo in an old building, DO NOT IGNORE THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING, THE COMMON AREAS, OR AREAS UNDER HOA OBLIGATION FOR REPAIRS. Joe did not comment on those areas which are making this place unsellable and extremely costly for me. If you buy a condo; again, you need all common areas inspected because you WILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE BUILDING YOU ARE BUYING! BELIEVE ME. If I can help one person avoid what is happening to me, it would make this bad experience less upsetting. The areas he missed, and no one pointed out to me problem areas or raised a red flag. 1. The furnace looked like it was fabricated by an amateur. spent about $1000 on repairs so far. Squirrels chewed into the vent and intake PVC pipe outside and water was coming in. The insulation and housing had been torn off by the HOA and I have to replace it. He didn't see it because it was "outside'. Water came in those holes and were damaging the gas valve which can be dangerous. Furnace has other issues, such as large gaps under the filter rack that allow dirt into the furnace unit, fan, blower etc. That part should be rebuilt. 2. Plumbing. There is no visible shutoff valve. That was mentioned in the report, but there was no red flag or mention of a problem and it had no meaning to me. Wish someone would have said something. If I have a plumbing leak, I can't shut off the water and I have to pay for the damages. If I hire a plumber to do any work, he has to find the shut off and somehow turn it off correctly, which my recent plumber did not. There is one shut off valve in this place and I still don't know where it is because it is kept secret. I have been charged $575 by Kass Management for repair of a pump because they said the plumber shut the water off wrong. I have more plumbing to work on but have no clue how to deal with it. If I want to change a leaky faucet it's a huge ordeal; my simple cartridge replacement, ( he did not mention the failing sticky tub faucet cost $225 for the plumber and $575 for that guys mistake. In a condo building that is how it works. $1000 to change a faucet cartridge. 3. Windows; some of the windows were identified that needed repair/replacement. He missed one. That will cost around $220 for repair. 4. Insulation in living room floor. My unit is over the basement storage area. It is not really heated and there is no insulation between the floor and basement. Means it is cold in the winter. And, my items in storage get very cold. 5. When I called Joe to address the furnace areas he missed, he became irate and wanted me to talk to the owner of FCI. I didn't need more arguing and haggling like that over something when I hired them to HELP me. I don't have a spouse or advocate; so I hire people. I guess they aren't here to help. The recommendation was get a HVAC to inspect. The sellers didn't want to do that, and the problems identified were minor (dirty filter and an oddly positioned drain hose) so I accepted the small compensation that was offered. Had he shown me those issues, or mentioned a problem with venting and intake air, and rusty valve, or a big gap/hole in the filter rack, I would have insisted on prior work by HVAC. 6. Had I known that not having a water shut-off could cause a problem for me, I would have walked away from this condo, which I wish I would have done. I feel totally trapped. Again, if you are buying a Condo, have the common areas inspected. I haven't listed all the issues but trust me on this. And always, walk around with him. Double check the work while he is doing it. I do not recommend Joe from First Choice Inspections for any condo inspection. read more

We have had an absolutely horrible experience with First Choice Inspectors. We had Justin come out to do an inspection of a home we had a contract on in November of 2014. Justin found no major issues with the home and the inspection report they provided us with noted no concerning issues with the home. After we closed, a contractor who was doing redecorating work for us found evidence of significant water damage and mold inside the home that was not identified by the inspector. Michael, the owner of First Choice Inspectors came to the home to do a second inspection, and admitted to us verbally that his inspector should have seen evidence of water damage, both in the interior of the home and in the attic. He told us "We will not leave you high and dry with this situation" Well, we just received a letter from an Attorney for First Choice Inspectors saying that he found no evidence that First Choice Inspectors were liable for any water damage at our home. So much for their word. I do not judge people by the mistakes they make, only by their actions to rectify their mistakes. Not only was this company grossly negligent with respect to the work they did for us, they indeed did leave us "high and dry" to clean up the mess they made. The mistakes made by First Choice Inspectors turned our home buying experience into a nightmare and we now have $40,000 in home repairs to pay for out of our own pocket. So, if you want a poor inspection done on a home you are considering for purchase, and if you want a company that does not stand behind their work and breaks their word, then First Choice Inspectors is the inspection company for you. Avoid First Choice Inspectors at all costs!! 2/27/15 Update: After writing my review above, I decided to scroll through other reviews for First Choice Inspectors. It is very interesting that in every review where a client was dissatisfied with the work done by this company, their response was to either dismiss the claims of the reviewer, or to defend their actions, instead of doing what a professional company would do which to make sure that each and every one of their clients is 100% satisfied. Justin, please feel free to respond to this review. Will you admit that you missed obvious water damage and mold at our home and do the right thing, or will you dismiss my claims and try and defend your shoddy work? I am happy to post pictures online of rotted structural wood and mold from our home that you missed on your inspection... Please, if you read this review do not use First Choice Inspectors for your home inspection- Get a reputable company to do your inspection. read more

First off this is a long overdue post to write for team First Choice Inspectors. When I began on my search for a home inspector I was first referred to another home inspection company by my real estate agent. I checked out his reviews and I won't mention his name but he is based out of the Palos area but it was obvious to me that he had fake reviews on Google and had several bad reviews here on Yelp. He was obviously working with the realtor's best agent in mind. I asked a few friends for other inspection companies to choose from and I was twice referred to Kim at First Choice Inspectors by two friends that had chosen their company independently from one another. So I called the office and was promptly greeted by Ally. She was very friendly and patient with me and answered all my questions and took at least 20 minutes on the phone with me. The two other companies I initially contacted off of Yelp were obviously preoccupied during our conversation and kept it short. I later discovered that they probably didn't have a dedicated office staff like First Choice Inspectors and others have. That was helpful to know someone would always be there to answer my calls. I asked to speak with Kim personally so I could get some background on her and within an hour she called me back between her inspections and was very pleasant. I hired FCI and requested Kim to come out. Too my surprise I got there 15 minutes early on a Saturday morning and I saw a car on the street and ladder on the roof. Kim had already been inspecting and had not only finished the exterior but was looking at the roof. Before the inspection even started she had a list of issues with the property. Before we even started the inspection I knew I was not buying it. She found structural cracks that were hidden by recently planted shrubs and trees. Even I thought a tree planted adjacent to the home was out of place as it looked recent. Kim showed me how she suspected that the sellers were trying to hide a major structural crack due to a foundation failure. I didn't even allow her to finish the inspection once I saw what the sellers were doing and Kim confirmed it in the basement when we saw a newly drywalled area that was well out of place with the rest of the home. I had Permaseal come out just to be safe and sure enough the structure needed to have pylons installed at a cost of $10,000. No thanks. So we are onto the next property. Thanks Kim and FCI staff. read more

My husband and I are first time home buyers and received a recommendation from friends to hire Joe from First Choice Inspectors for our inspection. Wow! We couldn't have been more satisfied with Joe's industry knowledge, professionalism, thoroughness, timeliness, communication, honesty, and empathy. Joe spent an hour and 40 minutes checking every possible aspect of our potential new apartment, teaching my husband about home ownership and care along the way. It was truly an enjoyable experience and got both of us even more excited about our potential new home. When Joe couldn't get on the roof because of ice, he came back the next day -- on super short notice and free of charge -- to inspect the roof. We truly felt that Joe had our best interest at heart. Joe readied our report within the day of our inspection, and the software First Choice uses is extremely user-friendly, complete with pictures and explanations that make creating a request list for sellers easy and straightforward. We couldn't have had a better experience for our inspection, and we will hire Joe for all future home inspections in Chicago if he so accepts our business! The total cost of our inspection was $525 (we attempted to add on mold services for an additional $300, but Joe assured us this wasn't necessary -- I think this speaks to how seriously First Choice takes their business and values customer trust). Do not look elsewhere for inspectors -- First Choice is the best in Chicago. read more

My husband and I are buying our first home, and although we're both very good at researching this process online, we have no idea what in the world we're doing when it comes right down to it. After reading lots of good reviews, I called First Choice, set up an inspection, and told the receptionist that I was concerned about getting a report in to our agent and attorney on time (we had less than 5 business days to complete). She told me not to worry, and an hour later, she called back and bumped our inspection up a day because they'd had a cancellation. Already, I'm impressed. Joe did our inspection. He spent over 2 hours in the home, letting us know when he saw an issue and giving us lots of tips to fix it. He was professional, courteous, patient, detail oriented, and completely put our minds at ease (not an easy thing to do, believe me). I never felt like I was asking a stupid question (though I asked a lot of stupid questions), because Joe gave every question consideration and responded thoughtfully and thoroughly. I can't say enough good things about this process, this company, and Joe in particular. These five days have been brutal, but the inspection was a breeze. I will be recommending First Choice to all of my friends and singing its praises for a long time to come. read more

Before we even had our home inspection, I spoke with Michael over the phone and through email several times. He was very patient and prompt in all of his responses. He answered all of my questions and was very accommodating when it came to scheduling the inspection. Also, the contract that he set up and linked me to was very professional and clear. We had Geo as our home inspector. Geo showed up a few minutes before our scheduled appointment. He was very courteous, prompt, and welcoming in regards to any and all questions we had. He more than welcomed my presence throughout the whole inspection and answered any questions as they came up. He also pointed out several things that could help with maintaining the home (not necessarily a part of the home inspection). I felt that he was very thorough with every aspect of the home and touched everything he had access to. Geo spent a total of approximately 3 hours carrying out the inspection. The home inspection report was completed and in my email within 24 hours. Geo included everything I can remember us talking about and then some. The report was very detailed with clear pictures and markings throughout. Very satisfied overall - couldn't have asked for a better inspection. read more

First Choice Inspectors are one of, if not, the best inspectors in the Chicagoland area. Many inspections take 20-40 Minutes in a two bedroom condo, not with First Choice, much more thorough. Many Inspectors run a flashlight along the ceiling corners throughout a unit, not with first choice, a Geo Thermal camera is used to see active moisture/temperature variances. There would be no way that these guys couldn't spot wet plywood/leaking roofs and walls! I personally used First Choice on numerous purchases and continue to recommend them to friends, family, and colleagues. They take the time to understand your needs/concerns, as well as thoroughly explaining each and every potential issue along with its importance or concern. They pride themselves on "teaching" the homeowner how to maintain there home and ways to know when it is time to replace/maybe how, if an easy filter switch. Inspection reports are delivered within 24 hours and most of the times they are prepared and ready for viewing same day! These actions go above and beyond the scope of work home inspectors are required to give and for that First Choice, is my Choice! read more

I am a real estate agent with Newman Realty, and my company will not recommend any inspection company other than First Choice Inspectors. They do an incredible job of identifying issues throughout each property they inspect, while also going above and beyond and explaining to my clients how to resolve those issues. I'm actually going through my own home purchase right now, and I couldn't thank Justin enough for inspecting the first home I went under contract at (which fell apart), as well as the second one. I wouldn't trust ANYONE else to inspect my home. He's also made himself available to take my phone calls any time, day or night, to answer any questions I have throughout my process. Justin has also made himself a great source of information for me, and I wouldn't be able to do my job as effectively without him. If you're looking for a professional company that cares, is knowledgeable, and goes above any and all expectations...look no further. I cannot say enough good things about them!! read more

Cant say enough about these guys! From the minute they picked up the phone to the follow up after the report. It couldnt have been better. To start with Michael answered all my questions when I called and didnt hurry me along as some other companies I called. I think I may have spent 15 or 20 minutes when we first spoke. Justin came out and did my inspection. Boy does he ever know his stuff! We went through everything, things I hadnt even thought of! The inspection took a few hours and I received the report later that evening. It explains everything and he even took photos of the problems with little details to tell you what you are looking at. We did buy the home but used the report to negotiate a better price based on Justins findings. I cant stress how important it is to find someone to inspect your house before you buy it who is knowledgeable and experienced! I will be referring First Choice to everyone I know! Thanks Guys! We love our home and couldn't be happier. Edward and Jess read more

If you are buying a home I would definitely recommend that you call First Choice Inspectors. When we purchased our home we were referred to First Choice Inspectors by our friends. Our home inspector was Michael; he was very professional, experienced and knowledgeable. He explained in detail our questions and gave us the best advice. We didn't realize the importance of having a home inspection, until our home inspector found mayor issues that we would have not have been able to find at simple sight. Had we purchased that other home, it would have been very costly and out of our budget; but thanks to First Choice Inspectors we are glad that we were guided and aware of the problems before going through with the purchase of that house. Fortunately, we were in good hands, we felt very comfortable buying our home knowing we would not have any mayor issues according to Michael's Home Inspection report. Good luck to all of you house hunting, for your peace of mind call First Choice Inspectors. read more

My husband and I are in the process of buying a duplex down in Lakeview. George "Geo" just completed our inspection and we couldn't be happier with his work. My dad and real estate lawyer both stated that Geo's report was "top of the line". Even through condo we are buying was done by reputable builders and is in great condition, Geo was able to identify every shortcoming whether minor or significant. He was very specific in his timely write-up and included photos where applicable. And followed up with a call to make sure we understood everything in the report. While conducting the inspection, he went above and beyond by taking the time to explain the unit mechnicals and what to be cognizant of once we moved in. You can tell Geo is very passionate about his work! And it was so appreciated considering buying a new home can be nerve wracking. Highly recommend First Choice Inspectors - you are in good hands with this company - especially if you have Geo as your inspector! read more

As first time home buyers we really didn't know what to expect from our home inspection. Our broker only gave us 5 days to get the inspection done. We were crunched for time. Fortunately I called First Choice Inspectors and I was able to get Mike to come out the next day! He told me everything up front and even recommended somebody for Radon Testing. I was late 30 minutes due to a snow storm as was my wife and our broker, but Mike got there right on time, even a little earlier! He is very thorough, knowledgeable, and really makes you feel at ease during the whole inspection. Mike has all of the latest technology to inspect for mold, water leaks and does a complete walk through from top to bottom, inside and out. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND First Choice Inspectors as we were very satisfied with the service that Mike gave us. The inspection cost us $450 for a 2300 sq house. Well worth the price as the inspection put our worries at ease. Any other questions feel free to email me. read more

I found First Choice Inspectors on Yelp when looking for a top-notch inspector to inspect an older home I was thinking about purchasing. Justin Castronova was my inspector. He arrived early, explained how he conducts an inspection, and he prepared me prior to the inspection to let me know how thorough the inspection would be and not to get discouraged if we were to find many items that needed attention. Justin kept me informed throughout the entire inspection, answered questions as they came up and was very respectful of the tenants who were living in the unit that we were expecting. One day later, Justin provided a detailed inspection report which was very helpful to me in my purchasing decision. The report included details on the condition of the property along with photographs. Ultimately, I decided not to purchase the unit Justin inspected but will be making an offer on another property soon and will definitely use First Choice Inspectors again for the inspection. read more

Mike-- Thank you for coming over to inspect our home for mold. I have been living here for 25 years and had occassional sewer back ups. I saw mike doing an inspection on my neighbors house. I saw his hat and it said "inspector" so I asked him a few questions during his inspection. Mike was polite and took time after the inspection to answer my questions. He came over and looked at my basement for me and spent 20 minutes of his own time and did not ask me to pay him. I am a senior citizen on a budget so he gave me some good advice and recommendations. He would not even take a tip. I am not computer smart but I asked Mike if there was anything I could do so he asked me to write a good review for him so this is the least I could do for him helping me out. This guy is honest as most compaines woud have taken the tip I offered. It was touching knowing people are still honest. I am 71 and have been taken advantage of before. Thanks you mike. read more

I recently had the pleasure of using First Choice Inspectors for my first home through my agent's recommendation and, as promised, they exhibited the utmost professionalism. Their communication was clear and detailed, ensuring that I understood the entire process and what to expect. The home inspector assigned to my property was highly knowledgeable and thorough and his expertise was evident throughout the inspection process. First Choice Inspectors also provided me with a detailed report that surpassed my expectations. The report was comprehensive, well-organized, and easy to understand. It also included recommendations. Throughout the process, First Choice Inspectors demonstrated a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction. They patiently addressed all my questions and concerns, ensuring that I felt fully informed and comfortable with the results. Their friendly demeanor and dedication to their work were truly commendable. read more

The inspector I dealt with was Justin C. We went through 2 inspections together. As a first time home buyer, I had a lot of questions. Justin was very patient and professional as he answered every single one. He spent a few hours scrutinizing my first potential property for any signs of trouble, and then provided a detailed, thorough report with photos in less than 4 hours. Based on the results of this inspection I walked away from the contract as the report pointed out a multitude of serious issues. So here we went again for the second home inspection with Justin, again the same professionalism and great report. I really would like to recommend Justin C. and First Choice Inspectors to any home buyer. This company is Top in my mind. Feel free to contact me directly (302-275-2282) should you have any question or should you need a verbal/written reference. Money well spent for a great job. Thank you Justin FOR THIS GREAT JOB. read more

We found First Choice Inspectors through yelp after not liking our first inspector we had on a home that didn't work out. We had Joe Dunford as our inspector and boy was there a night and day difference between Joe and the last person we used. Joe was prompt, attentive, and understanding of our concerns and questions as first time home buyers. Joe really made it a personal experience and reassured us throughout the process of the things that need to be updated asap as well as recommendations for stuff that isn't critical but should probably be upgraded over time. He gave us the knowledge to make informed decisions about the house and put us at ease. Also, it says on the email confirmations that it could take up to 48 hours to get the inspection report back and after talking with joe that we were in a time crunch, he finished it by the following morning! Thanks Joe and the hard working people at First Choice Inspectors. read more

I'm definitely impress with the work/inspection Justin Castronova did on a potential house, I put a contract on within 24hours of that house going on the market for sale. I was so excited the seller's accepted my offer and to know within 2-3 months this house would've been all mine! Until Justin showed up and preform the must detail inspection anyone ever could've had. I'm a first time homebuyer, and Justin skills and knowledge SAVE me from a HUGE headache and heartbreak if I would've' purchase that house, Justin inspected. All major component's inside and outside of that house was a major problem that would've COST me thousands of dollars in the long run. I'm happy to say I cancel that house contract and will continue my search for the right home for me and my family, and YES I will be requesting Justin services again on the next house I find to potentially buy. Thank you Justin!!! read more