Real Inspection Services

(125 reviews)

Etruscan installed a new roof for us when we moved to Glenview 3 years ago. They did a wonderful…read more(and quick) job. We recently had a downspout detach itself from the eaves. After I texted them, they were out within a day to fix it.

Etruscan are super responsive and thorough. They took on a skylight project that no one else wanted…read moreto do because of the unusual size of the glass. We are so grateful to them and they will be our first call for other roof and siding projects.

JJ Construction

(98 reviews)

I found JJ Construction through Yelp…read more I would highly recommend JJ Construction. They provided an honest quote. I actually went out and received 4 quotes. While JJ wasn't the lowest, they were the most comprehensive. For example, all of the other quotes quoted the shingles and work, but JJ Construction quoted shingles, tiles, gutters, and all hardware (new fans/vents/gutters). They are highly skilled. They did not rush the project (who wants a roofer who rushes?) and cleaned up every day. Communication was excellent. They installed Class 4 shingles, which lowered my home owners insurance by 20%. The work quality was top notch. I was highly impressed by JJ Construction and I would recommend them to anyone. Thank you Matt, for a great job.

I had to recently replace my roof and got a bunch of different quotes. JJ Construction was very…read moreeasy to deal with and really made me feel like they cared about providing good service. I am very happy with the roof and gutters and am confident that if there are any sort of issues in the future that they will be helpful again. They were also very quick to respond and worked to get the permits necessary. I didn't have to do anything in this process, which was really nice.

Chicagoland Home Inspectors

(318 reviews)

This is one of the rare finds where the people love what they do. I will definitely call…read moreChicagoland Home Inspectors before buying a home. If I were a contractor, I would look to get an endorsement from this company. Frank Dattalo was great on-site. The follow-up call with Charles Bellefontaine was very insightful. The combination of the two... 1) saved us additional time and money, 2) gave us confidence to not second guess walking away (we thought we had found a home that we would live in for decades), and 3) was a learning opportunity as we continue house hunting. I would highly recommend Chicagoland Home Inspectors, especially if you are purchasing a home that is 100+ years old. Even more so if the home is for sale by owner. They provide the information that you need to hear before making such a substantial commitment. You may be disappointed but purchasing a 100 year old home without this type of thorough inspection is akin to closing your eyes and taking a leap of faith that the seller wants what's best for you and your family. For context, the home was built in the early 1900s, three-stories, brick, original hardwood floors. The seller presented the home as being fully renovated with a new roof, electric wiring, plumbing, HVAC retrofit, etc. Frank called days a head of the inspection to ask some questions and discuss what services were needed. He removed one of the services, and the extra cost, because it wasn't needed. Frank arrived early and was already scanning the roof (via drone) when I arrived. He was more than happy to answer any questions that I had and he made a point to show me areas of major concern in-person. When I pointed things out Frank was more than happy to take a look and answer my questions. On the follow-up call, Charles took the time to further explain the findings, provide input on priorities and talked us through estimating tools. He also provided a different perspective and opinions. Talking with both Frank and Charles was incredibly valuable. Charles was surprised that our realtor recommended Chicagoland Home Inspectors and was quick to tell us that's a great sign that our realtor has our best interests in mind. If your realtor tries to steer you clear of this firm, definitely inquire why. You have to live with the consequences, not your realtor. Some Inspection Findings: - Licensed contractors didn't perform work properly - Major systems (which are new) were functioning but had potential issues that could shorten lifespan/void warranties - Source of moisture intrusion hadn't been identified/repaired - Attempts to clean up mold - Potential safety hazards Other Details: Inspectors are only required to check one electric outlet per room, this firm checks all of the outlets. They found the one that was incorrectly wired and posed a safety risk. When they tested the water pressure they made sure to turn on multiple faucets not just one at a time, identified a pressure issue. One thing to note, make sure the seller or broker has everything prepared. Any water valves that are shutoff equate to a sink that cannot be inspected. All appliances and systems need to be fully operational to be inspected.

Tim Heise was phenomenal! He checked everything. Even our realtor was beyond impressed with Tim's…read moreattention to detail. He discussed any issues, no matter how small, while he was there so he could answer questions. The written report we received the next day was incredibly thorough. I will recommend Chicagoland Home Inspectors and Tim to everyone I know! Certainly worth the money and have is piece of mind about the home we were purchasing!

First Siding Roofing & Windows

4.6

(99 reviews)

Highly responsive, quality service, and very courteous. I called Jerry to fix a facia issue. He…read morecame same day, resolved the issue, and was very courteous. Highly recommend!

What an outstanding contractor! Jerry is simply the best! I needed to have my carport insulated so…read morethat my HVAC system would not run nonstop both in the Summer and the Winter. Jerry and his crew did a fantastic job getting my large carport prepared for the summer and the winter. They installed insulation, plywood, Tyvek wrap, and this new heat radiant product and vinyl. I found his price to be reasonable not to mention his workmanship was phenomenal. His attention to detail definitely demonstrates that he is a master craftsman. 5 stars.

First Choice Inspectors

(481 reviews)

Joe was great to work with and immediately put us at ease. He was incredibly easy to talk to and…read moredid an excellent job explaining what he was seeing during the inspection. At the end, he walked us through everything verbally before sending the written report, which was extremely helpful. He explained what really mattered, what was more routine, and what we should keep an eye on, all in plain language. That conversation alone made the whole inspection feel much less stressful. Joe was also very flexible and accommodating with our tight schedule, which we really appreciated. When the written report came through, it was thorough, clear, and matched exactly what he had already explained to us in person. On the scheduling side, Christina was fantastic. She was professional, responsive, and quick to follow up. Coordinating the inspection was smooth and efficient, even with a compressed timeline, and communication was clear every step of the way. Overall, we had a really positive experience with First Choice Inspectors. Between Joe's knowledge and communication and Christina's excellent coordination, everything felt well organized and well handled. We'd absolutely recommend them and would happily work with them again.

We had a great experience with First Choice Inspectors. Kim was timely, pleasant, and very…read morethorough. She explained any issues to my husband in detail and answered any questions we had. Would highly recommend Kim and would use her again in the future!

Chicago Roofing Consultant

(42 reviews)

I was having some issues with a roof leak and had a company come out to tell me they wouldn't…read morerepair anything and recommended a full roof replacement. I am so glad I called Chicago Roofing Consultant next. Adam came out the next day to take a look and said that he could fix it right then and there, and also mentioned that the chimney needed tuckpointing (and provided pictures showing that yes, it did). The crew was quick, efficient, and took care of a few caulking issues as well while they were up there. I have my repair for a good price and am able to have peace of mind. I appreciated the honesty and prompt service. This was a great experience.

My partner and I recently had a pergola built on our rooftop by Chicago Roofing Consultant and we…read morecouldn't be more happy with the results. The process was super smooth from start to finish. We met with Adam to discuss the project and he helped us collaborate a design that works perfect for our space. Their prices were extremely fair and the workmanship is top notch. He and his team are friendly and efficient. They finished the project in the specified time frame and left our rooftop looking like they were never there. I would definitely recommend them for any roofing or deck building needs.

Anchor Point Roofing

(173 reviews)

While changing home insurers our agent suggested getting the roof checked. Roofers don't all have…read moresterling reputations so I was sure I would be told the roof needed replacing but Anchor Point sent out a polite and competent inspector who said my 20 year old roof should be ok for a while but needed some minor repairs, which we had them do. I was very impressed and definitely recommend them.

We had an outstanding experience working with Anchor Point on some minor roof repairs. I was…read moreparticularly impressed with the experts who came out for the initial inspection - they were extremely thorough. Not only did they recommend some work to improve the roof, but they found some other items not on the roof (!) that needed repairs and gave a great referral. Every step of the process was well explained and easily done online. A big shout out to Sara, who was very responsive in scheduling matters. The team who came were on time and finished the work cleanly in one day. Their price point is on the higher end, but in exchange we got the peace of mind that the job was being done right. I would not hesitate to hire them again.

Eagle Roofing & Masonry

(42 reviews)

If you're looking for a professional, responsive and competitively priced contractor, stop looking…read more My concrete front porch and steps had rusted out and was no longer safe to use. I did my research and contacted several contractors who made appointments to visit and provide a quote. Needless to say, most weren't interested I guess, because several didn't show up after making appointments or when they did their quotas were ridiculously high. Eduardo of Eagle Roofing & Masonry was by far the most professional and responsive contractor I've ever dealt with and I'm a Director of Operations for a high rise! Most importantly, after completing the project, there were a couple of minor issues, but Eduardo was more than happy to come back and take care of them. Lastly, Eagle Roofing is the kind of contractor you've been looking for.

This company is the real deal. The rare combimation of amazing work and a personable service…read moreoriented approach! After working with all konds of contractors these guys were a breath of fresh air. Honest, Quality work with a smile. Thank you!!!

Peace of Mind Exterior

4.5

(33 reviews)

Peace of Mind was very easy and pleasant to work with. I was working with them remotely through a…read morereal estate agent. So from scheduling, color choice and payment options to flexibility to overcome certain challenges with the roof job, they were great! Highly recommended!

We couldn't be happier with the work Fidel and the team at Peace of Mind Exterior did on our siding…read moreand gutter replacement. After getting several quotes for this big project, it was clear Fidel was the best choice. Communication was excellent, the crew was always on time, and he kept us informed every step of the way, including proactively bringing up anything they found during the project. The quality of the work exceeded our expectations, and our house looks amazing! We highly recommend Peace of Mind Exterior to anyone looking for an honest, reliable company to work with!

Presidential Roofing

(98 reviews)

Tom and his team were great! Very communicative throughout the entire process. Made sure to clean…read moreup all materials when they were done. Offered a wide range of shingle colors and offered advice when asked. Would highly recommend!

If you're looking for a roofer - start with Tom's company Presidential Roofing…read more I found Presidential Roofing via Yelp and was definitely tops on my list for roofing companies due to the stupendous reviews. After having experienced the service and detail of this company - I'm completely convinced they are trustworthy, offer value and a good experience and should get a call for every roofing project. I've been considering a reroof for seven years as I knew my roof would need replacement along with skylights and gutters eventually, so I've read up about all there is about roofs and skylights and gutters. Tom arrived, and did a detailed assessment on top of the roof, and provided good feedback on my concerns. He noticed several things on his assessment and offered additional options on them including various ventilation ideas. I asked him about my siding as well - he thought my siding did not need replacement so we did not quote that out. He said that his crew would strictly be outside for the project and would not need to enter the home for any reason (even though we were doing an attic fan install, and skylight replacement). About 2 days later, I received a quote via email, and we chatted more about the details - particularly about my sky light replacements and the merits of different types of roof ventilation. Being my first quote, I thought the quote was definitely a good quote (verified later after four more quotes that I received - same shingles, harder sell job from others, and some did not even climb the roof at all). After all my quotes came in, I went with Presidential Roofing - scheduled for two weeks later Roof would take 2 days, Gutters half day. The week of the job - I received a note from Tom on the particular details of the week. Don't keep the car in the driveway or in garage, as they'll deliver and use the driveway for the materials/haul away for three days. Materials were lifted onto roof off a flat-bed truck crane Tuesday afternoon. Tom advised that the skylight replacement would create some interior dust/debris (so I used some painter cloth tarps/plastic covers taped to the ceiling). They left a small dumpster trailer (swept really clean btw) off to the side of the house (wooden planks so no tire treads in grass). Each day they would clean up around the home, and would do a magnet roller to catch any nails that would have fallen around the home. The project was done exactly on time as scheduled. They started at 7-7:30am - 6pm each day for the roof. The crew was great - they were friendly, detailed, and Tom called a few days later to ask about the roof. The final invoice arrived by mail the following week (no surprises - very close to the quote), when I had the payment ready - Tom dropped by to fetch.

Professional Radon Systems

(33 reviews)

The work was sloppy. For example, the electrical conduit used to run power to the radon fan was not…read morestraight or plumb and the electrical box was tilted. The covers on the sump pits were literally kicked in half (as opposed to cut straight) and then installed around the sump pits with concrete screws and clear caulk haphazardly applied. Also, the receptionist was extremely rude and impersonable every time I called.

Anyone that has a semi-finished or finished basement needs to get their home tested for radon even…read moreafter the initial inspection when buying a home. Get the Airthings radon detector and it'll give you short and long term readings. Radon levels change depending on the season and time. Once I realized the levels in my home were rising, I called Professional Radon Systems for a consult. The owner, Eric, came out to my home to determine where the radon mitigation system could go and showed me how and where the pipes would be routed. He sent me a quote later that day by email and I scheduled installation a couple weeks later. The install took less than a couple hours, and the crew that came were very courteous. They ran floor coverings down to my basement so they wouldn't track in or out any debris and they cleaned up after themselves. They showed me what to keep an eye on to make sure the fan was working and provided some documents. This whole experience was very nice. I'm grateful to have a liveable basement now. Thanks Pro Radon Systems!

Etruscan Gutters and Roofing

(125 reviews)

Etruscan installed a new roof for us when we moved to Glenview 3 years ago. They did a wonderful…read more(and quick) job. We recently had a downspout detach itself from the eaves. After I texted them, they were out within a day to fix it.

Etruscan are super responsive and thorough. They took on a skylight project that no one else wanted…read moreto do because of the unusual size of the glass. We are so grateful to them and they will be our first call for other roof and siding projects.

Radon Gone

(2 reviews)

We had an excellent experience with Radon Gone from start to finish. They answered my call right…read moreaway, provided a quote over the phone, and scheduled an appointment that worked with my schedule. They even confirmed the appointment the night before, which I really appreciated. The installation team showed up exactly when they said they would, and they were incredibly friendly, professional, efficient, and thorough. They worked quickly, kept everything clean, and the pricing was very reasonable compared to the other quotes we received. What really stood out was how thoughtfully they planned the installation -- they took the time to figure out the best placement for the system so it wouldn't be an eyesore and would blend in as much as possible. If you need radon mitigation, I would absolutely recommend them. Since radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, it's not something to put off. We're very happy we chose Radon Gone.

Ben and his team an excellent work. They were very knowledgeable, provided customized solution and…read morewere very reasonably priced. They did the job on time as promised and left premises clean. I would highly recommend them. !!!

North West Radon Testing

See more unrecommended reviews

(2 reviews)

North West Radon Testing is SO knowledgeable about all things radon and provided us the best…read moreservice!! The owner, Ineta is very helpful and honest. We were so impressed and highly recommend for radon testing.

We recently had an inspection done on our home with Northwest Radon Testing and it was a very good…read moreexperience. The team was very professional, helpful and friendly. We would gladly recommend them to anyone in need of an honest and reliable service. Thank you!

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Jessica B.

0

1

0

8 years ago

I am a first-time homebuyer (I am 25 and VERY new to the game) and worked with Chuck for my inspection. He was incredibly professional, thorough, and knowledgeable. He answered every question I had about the home, why certain things needed to be updated/changed, and helped me understand what was needed to ensure that the home I was buying was livable and ready to move in. He made sure to outline what I should ask for a credit for, what I should fix myself, and what I should ask the seller to fix before closing. He also gave me estimates for what repairs would cost based on his experience. Chuck also completed my final walkthrough for the home. Being that the seller had many updates to make to the home prior to closing, Chuck made sure to take note of each update they had made, check if it was up to code, and if it was done professionally. He took photos of anything that was not properly completed and coached me through what would still need to be done on the home, making sure I knew what a finished fix would look like so that I knew what to look out for. I have never experienced such care - even from my real estate team - in making sure that everything was in tip-top shape. Chuck followed up with me at every step of the way. He even remembered my closing date and wished me congratulations! I could not recommend his services enough - if you are looking to use anyone for a home inspection, I highly highly recommend Real Inspection Services... ask for Chuck! He's in high demand, so book in advance :) read more

Lauren C.

0

1

0

1 year ago

My agent recommended Real Inspection Services and I am eternally grateful that I followed her advice. Connor and Mike completed an inspection on a single family home that I loved, but unfortunately walked away from. I am fully confident that their attention to detail and expertise saved me at least 50k worth of repairs, headaches, buyers remorse and allowed me to find another home that I love even more. After my first experience with them, it was a no brainer to have them inspect another house for me. Connor came back, accompanied by John, and yet again, I was amazed by their thoroughness, expertise and attention to detail. The whole team was very friendly and easy to work with. Their home, radon, sewer and pool inspections were reasonably priced and scheduling with Jane was a breeze. I love the way they categorized their reports by priority and how efficiently I was able to determine any critical repairs. The inspection phase of home buying is crucial and I am completely at ease walking in to my new home knowing that I chose an inspection company that I trust. I am 100% confident in their work and am thankful for their extraordinary team who provided extraordinary service. I would recommend them to any and all of my family or friends. read more

Kellie H.

0

1

0

4 years ago

Real Inspection Services was recommended to us by our realtor. Being first time home buyers in the US was made easy from start to finish with both Jane and Larry. Jane is extremely efficient and accommodating when booking your appointment and sends out an easy-to-follow payment link that makes payment quick and hassle free. Larry our inspector was extremely thorough and left no stone unturned. At the end of the inspection Larry gave us an overview of each item with a clear explanation. By the end of the day, our full report arrived online which is easy to review online and can be downloaded and printed out. The report has different categories for the urgency of repairs and recommendations with detailed pictures. We also paid for a Radon test. The tester arrived and set up the test during the inspection and the radon report was received a couple of days later. Larry followed up to see if we had any questions. We didn't as all our questions had been answered on the day and with the detailed report. I could not fault Real Inspection Services, the staff are friendly, professional, and efficient. I would use them again and would highly recommend them. Kellie Hutchinson read more

Wayne W.

0

1

0

1 year ago

We have had Connor Brodner from Real Inspection inspect two different properties for us. Each time, we were impressed by his professionalism. He was extremely detailed and thoroughly explained his findings as he worked his way through the inspection. The documentation provided was comprehensive, with videos and photos complementing the descriptions and recommendations. I highly recommend Real Inspection should you need their services. read more

Jim M.

0

2

0

2 years ago

Real Inspection Services did an outstanding job for us. They were extremely thorough and spent at least 3 hours checking all over the house. They walked with us around the house and through the house and specifically pointed out all of their findings. And they provided us with an incredibly detailed final written report. They were very patient with our questions and I would absolutely work with them again. read more

Neb J.

41

5

4

8 years ago

I recently used Real Inspection Services for my new construction home purchase. I can't tell you how impressed I was with Chuck's service level. His knowledge of construction & code was extremely high. His final report was very detailed and provided me with great information to follow up with the builder on. I would highly recommend that anyone who needs a home inspection use Real Inspection Services! read more

Jim G.

0

1

0

3 years ago

The team from real inspection services was very thorough on all areas of the property we are in contract to purchase. All the team were great to work with and very helpful in understanding what they saw and did explain their concerns as well as the positive areas of the inspection. I would recommend them when someone was requiring an inspection. Would use them again in the future. read more

Kate P.

0

1

0

1 year ago

I highly recommend Connor Brodner for any home inspection needs. He was thorough, professional, and took the time to explain everything clearly to our clients. His attention to detail gave our buyers peace of mind, and his promptness in delivering the report was greatly appreciated. If you're looking for a knowledgeable and reliable inspector, Connor is the one to trust! read more

Jon Y.

168

1

0

8 years ago

Nothing but good things to say about this service. Chuck showed me all issues with the property and was a resource even after the inspection when we were in attorney review. Their service includes checking for recalls on all of the appliances and several resources for buyers. I am 100% more confident in closing on this home due to the efforts of Chuck and this company. read more

Carol M.

0

3

0

1 year ago

I've been very impressed with the services provided by Real Inspection Services. It was convenient to have both the home inspection and sewer inspection scheduled at the same time. Larry and Matt explained everything very thoroughly and calmly to my first-time home buyer and we were both very pleased with their service. I will recommend them again in the future. read more

Wesley B.

0

9

0

8 years ago

As a first time home buyer, I was a bit nervous about the inspection process. Chuck blew me away with his thorough, candid, and professional nature throughout the entire process. I could not be happier with the inspection and report he offered, as well as his advice regarding which projects to tackle first. I highly recommend Chuck and his team! read more

Flavia C.

0

2

0

2 years ago

Real Inspections and Ken came highly recommended by a colleague and they lived up to the hype! Setting up the appointment was easy, they called and checked in with me twice and Ken, the inspector was very professional and thorough! My client was also very happy with their work. I would definitely use them again and recommend to anyone I know. read more

Ginger C.

0

2

0

1 year ago

The team of knowledgeable inspectors were quick but through. 4 guys 4 hours. They inspected a 12 unit building with separate heat and electric and they were very detailed. The roof photos and sewer camera described all areas of concern. My buyers are very happy that they choose Real Inspection Services. read more

Bob N.

0

1

0

5 years ago

Chuck inappropriately overstepped his bounds as an inspector when commenting on a neighbors prior inspection that he performed several months prior. If I hire him for a job , I would like my information held private. His comments made me feel uneasy about using him. read more

John C.

0

1

0

2 years ago

I recently had Connor doing an inspection. He was fantastic. He was calm. He was insightful. He was professional. He was thorough and he knew how to communicate to the client to explain and put them at ease and highlight. What should be done read more

Ben R.

0

2

0

1 year ago

Conner and Ben were so thorough in their inspection they helped us dodge a lemon. They spent over 3 hours and crawled through spaces we didn't know were accessible. Because of them we aren't living with mold or a backwards- installed HVAC! read more

Roberta P.

0

1

0

11 months ago

We have used this service three times and have been extremely pleased with the inspection and inspectors. Our friend who is a realtor recommended then and had used them herself for her own house. We have had Brian E. Who is excellent. read more

Rohith B.

0

1

0

4 years ago

We used Real Inspection Services to inspect our first home purchase. They were extremely thorough and brought a team of specialists to make sure they uncovered all potential issues with the house. Would gladly use them again. read more

Manish J.

0

2

0

3 years ago

The absolute best. Thorough, personable, available and communicative - Chuck and his team went the extra mile for us. They are our new goto home inspection team, and we will be referring all friends and family their way read more

Louis K.

0

2

0

5 months ago

Recommended by my agent for a multifamily home inspection. Great experience with them. Transparent pricing, excellent work; very professional, communicative, prompt, & thorough. Will certainly work with them again. read more

Real Inspection Services - home_inspectors - Updated August 2026

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Dunsing Inspections

(84 reviews)

Dunsing really has its act together as a company. I was able to set up an inspection during the…read moreweekend for a Monday, 9am, inspection! (I only got the okay to set up an inspection on Saturday.) I'd expected only to be able to leave a message and not set up anything until they opened for regular business hours on Monday. Being able to do it over the weekend enabled the inspection to be done at the very beginning of the 5-day period specified in the contract with the seller. As for the report, you couldn't ask for it to be any more complete or any more promptly delivered. The report is long but presented in a way that makes it very easy to go through and understand. The email by which the report was sent had a short video link about tips for maximizing the benefits of the report. Even that had worthwhile info. As for the inspector, Paul LeBeau, what a knowledgeable, experienced, competent and conscientious guy. Over the years I've learned to do a fair number of fix-it things around the house (a little electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.), so I have some basis for saying what I did about him. I think I've raved long enough, but I meant everything I said.

We had a great experience with our home inspection. Robert was friendly and welcoming when we first…read moremet him. When we were ready to review his findings, he did a great job showing us notables throughout the home and explaining the what/why behind certain findings as well as estimated timelines when things should be replaced or reviewed. He gladly answered all our questions too. I would be happy to use them again in the future!

North Shore Building Consultants

3.7

(12 reviews)

The most professional home inspector we have ever had the pleasure to work with. Jake was, above…read moreall, knowledgeable and had answers to all our questions. Their office scheduled a prompt inspection, Sara had references to recommend for radon and other trades. We feel we got the better of the deal, as Jake had done a through job, for a better than fair fee. Beyond any doubt, I would recommend North Shore Building Consultants.

These guys have cost me so much money…read more They're nice; that's great and all, but they are not thorough at their job. THEY DO NOT CHECK FOR MOISTURE. Which makes their inspection almost a complete waste of time. Keeping water out should be one of, if not, the main issue to surround the inspection with. Make sure you are well aware of that. They have plenty of disclosures in their contract (which also raises some flags, clearly don't trust yourself). I actually called them back to the home a second time 2 weeks after moving in after complaining about the countless issues they missed after we moved in. They were cordial and explained their side of the story, but it still didnt explain so many items missed. Simple things such as an outside spigot not working, a couple seized valves/drains, a broken sand filter pump ($1300) for the pool, etc. Those listed items are as basic and easy to catch as you can find. Turn a faucet, or just visibly see something leaking. In addition to those misses, they definitely missed a few larger and more costly issues: 1 - The basement sliding door was in such poor shape that during a storm, it leaked and flooded the basement bedroom. All you had to do was open it and look and see that the wood was rotted and the track was essentially gone. A new sliding door for that specific size is setting us back $7500 2 - 2 weeks after moving in, had to remove the drywall in the ceiling below to uncover a membrane that was moldy and completely deteriorated. Upon further inspection of the shower, you can visibly see missing grout. This is something they should've easily noticed and then used a moisture meter below. Now I have to rip out the shower and spend thousands, $10k+ to replace it. 3 - Its an older house that has been converted to sewer in the early 2000's. The existing well tank is still installed but not functional. The piping surrounding that is all over the place. Some parts not even connected. They failed to mention really any of the piping issues. In addition, in order to access the main water valve, you have to remove that tank. Also not mentioned in the report is our Main water valve is leaking. To access it, that tank needs all the existing pipes removed, rerouted and welded. This also is a decent sized job costing us $2k+. 4 - Basement drain was not tested and not even listed in the report. Of course this led to a massive fix of $5,000 to dig up the concrete and fix the piping underground that was busted. This could've been avoided had they just poured a glass of water in the drain and noticed it wasn't draining. 5 - The deck railings need to be reinforced/replaced. All this would've taken them to notice was a small tug on the railing to see that if you leaned on this you'd topple over onto the pool deck. Not on mention in the report. There are a few other issues these guys missed. Long story short: you see northshore building consultants as your listed inspector, immediately find someone else. Otherwise you will move into your new dream home and immediately becomes a money pit due to their lack of expertise. Seriously, do not use them. We've lived in the house for 4 months and already have had to spend $40,000 on things THEY missed. Things we could've asked a credit for.

Chicagoland Home Inspectors

(318 reviews)

This is one of the rare finds where the people love what they do. I will definitely call…read moreChicagoland Home Inspectors before buying a home. If I were a contractor, I would look to get an endorsement from this company. Frank Dattalo was great on-site. The follow-up call with Charles Bellefontaine was very insightful. The combination of the two... 1) saved us additional time and money, 2) gave us confidence to not second guess walking away (we thought we had found a home that we would live in for decades), and 3) was a learning opportunity as we continue house hunting. I would highly recommend Chicagoland Home Inspectors, especially if you are purchasing a home that is 100+ years old. Even more so if the home is for sale by owner. They provide the information that you need to hear before making such a substantial commitment. You may be disappointed but purchasing a 100 year old home without this type of thorough inspection is akin to closing your eyes and taking a leap of faith that the seller wants what's best for you and your family. For context, the home was built in the early 1900s, three-stories, brick, original hardwood floors. The seller presented the home as being fully renovated with a new roof, electric wiring, plumbing, HVAC retrofit, etc. Frank called days a head of the inspection to ask some questions and discuss what services were needed. He removed one of the services, and the extra cost, because it wasn't needed. Frank arrived early and was already scanning the roof (via drone) when I arrived. He was more than happy to answer any questions that I had and he made a point to show me areas of major concern in-person. When I pointed things out Frank was more than happy to take a look and answer my questions. On the follow-up call, Charles took the time to further explain the findings, provide input on priorities and talked us through estimating tools. He also provided a different perspective and opinions. Talking with both Frank and Charles was incredibly valuable. Charles was surprised that our realtor recommended Chicagoland Home Inspectors and was quick to tell us that's a great sign that our realtor has our best interests in mind. If your realtor tries to steer you clear of this firm, definitely inquire why. You have to live with the consequences, not your realtor. Some Inspection Findings: - Licensed contractors didn't perform work properly - Major systems (which are new) were functioning but had potential issues that could shorten lifespan/void warranties - Source of moisture intrusion hadn't been identified/repaired - Attempts to clean up mold - Potential safety hazards Other Details: Inspectors are only required to check one electric outlet per room, this firm checks all of the outlets. They found the one that was incorrectly wired and posed a safety risk. When they tested the water pressure they made sure to turn on multiple faucets not just one at a time, identified a pressure issue. One thing to note, make sure the seller or broker has everything prepared. Any water valves that are shutoff equate to a sink that cannot be inspected. All appliances and systems need to be fully operational to be inspected.

Tim Heise was phenomenal! He checked everything. Even our realtor was beyond impressed with Tim's…read moreattention to detail. He discussed any issues, no matter how small, while he was there so he could answer questions. The written report we received the next day was incredibly thorough. I will recommend Chicagoland Home Inspectors and Tim to everyone I know! Certainly worth the money and have is piece of mind about the home we were purchasing!

Pinnacle Property Inspection Services

(186 reviews)

Pinnacle missed some major issues with my home. I probably would have walked away from the deal or…read moreseriously revised my offer had I known them. It cost me around $13K to fix all the items that they missed. When my dad visited, he found all these problems within 5-10 minutes of going around the house (he's not even any type of tradesman or inspector!) Stacey seemed pretty dismissive about it on the phone. I would not recommend their services to anyone. Update: I was fine leaving this a little vague as a professional courtesy, but since Stacey think's it's acceptable to fabricate information, I'll spill the tea. This time, I'll attach the proof for good measure! First issue Pinnacle failed to identify was a crack in the foundation. Imagine buying a new home only to have your basement flood a few days later. At first I thought it was a broken sump pump, but when an expert came out to the property, he quickly identified a vertical crack in the foundation. Total cost $1,735 for the repair. Plus a few hundred for the shop vac and fans to dry out the place to prevent further damage. Second issue Pinnacle failed to identify was dangerous wiring in the kitchen. Multiple lights and appliances were on a single circuit. When you ran them simultaneously, the lights would flicker, and sometimes the circuit would trip. There were no more spots left in the panel, so an upgrade was needed to put each appliance on it's own circuit and bring it up to code. Total cost $4,250 and countless hours of sleep lost wondering if an electrical fire would start in the house. Third issue Pinnacle failed to identify was the removal of a load bearing wall. The home when originally built had a division between the dining room and the kitchen. A few weeks after moving in, I noticed that the ceiling started to crack in the kitchen area. The cracks continued to grow and I went into the attic to figure out what was happening. Up there, my dad and I found no additional support for the joists. They were thin and spanned the entire kitchen/dining room area. I had a structural engineer come out to evaluate, and he confirmed additional support was required. Total cost $5,900, and not being able to use 1/3 of the house for 4 days. The engineer's report was about $1,290, but I guess we can leave that off. the contract language is confusing as to whether they are required to inspect and identify this type of issue. In all honesty, if I knew my inspector wouldn't check for things like this, I would have picked another inspector. I don't care is an outlet is broken, or some paint is chipping. I want to know major defects or damage to the property. Fourth issue (new!) that Pinnacle failed to identify was a leak in the water line to my house. I signed up for a city service that warns you when your home uses excess water (sing of a leak). I got a few of those notices, and then called a plumber. The plumber found a gushing leak in the line on my side of the meter. Meanwhile, Pinnacle's inspection report claimed that I didn't even have a meter! Had the inspector found the meter, which was in the parkway and not hidden, and looked at it, he would have found that leak. After that gushing leak was repaired, the meter was still running when the water was off. This mean I have a leak somewhere between the meter and the house that I'm the process of fixing. Total costs so far is $1,058.55. This doesn't include services for leak detection and repair coming in the next few weeks. Stacey falsely claims that my damages are inflated, but you can add all of that up. At the time I wrote the original review, it was about $13K. It's definitely going to get pushed higher once the leak is located and repaired. So not only did Pinnacle royally screwed up my inspection, they also felt the need to disparage me online. Consider that if you want to give them your business.

I used this company twice while searching for my next house. I absolutely loved the service. They…read morereally saved me from a bad decision, and they helped me find the house of my dreams. They use high tech equipment (even drones), and are very knowledgeable, punctual, reliable and solid. I would only trust them from now on. THANK YOU

Chicago Building Inspections

(94 reviews)

Morgan came out to do or condo inspection. Very thorough…read moreand high quality report! Website technology makes it so easy. Thank you!

Incredibly poor service and lack of accountability. We hired this company for a home inspection,…read moreand they completely missed extensive mold on the basement ceiling caused by a leaking steam shower. This oversight ended up costing us $15,000 to remediate and repair. When we confronted them, they came back out to the property and saw the visible mold themselves, yet they still refused to take full responsibility. Instead, they offered a insulting $1,200 settlement. I highly recommend looking elsewhere if you want a thorough and honest inspection. The pictures below show the mold found on the basement ceiling, as well as the mold discovered after we had to rip apart our shower. It's funny Ross says what the public should know. First the adjacent steam shower unit he talks about is 14' away from the actual shower that was leaking. And was not leaking during inspection. This was noted that it was fixed years earlier by the previous owner. The closing of the house was not 90 days after the inspection it was the normal 45 days that is very common. Also the lack of construction experience by CBI. When first confronted about the leak I was informed in an email that we were told there was caulk issues around the shower. Anyone that has ever put in or been around a walk in shower knows the shower doesn't leak because of the water proofing membrane. Not caulk. What this means is the shower should not leak before tile, grout, and caulk are installed. Once again not experienced with construction practices. All I have to say is watch what you sign when hiring a building inspector. We were denied by there insurance company due to waivers being signed taking all liability away from CBI before they even stepped foot on the property to perform the inspection. Oh yeah. I didn't mention the house down the street that they missed the kitchen sink leaking and the wall of mold behind it. Got our family twice they did.

The HouseDoctors Property Inspections

3.2

(9 reviews)

These people came to my house to do an inspection. Popped my gfi outlet and didn't turn it back on…read more My fridge was at 51 degrees when we came home. Medicine in the fridge was $2000+ to replace. Freezer was also defrosted, it was roughly 95 degrees with heat index over 100. Spoke to his father who was saying racist things to me screaming into the phone because I asked them to pay it back. He made more degrading comments and I asked for his insurance. Said he is uninsured. Realtor called the son who agreed to pay it. Never received it told me if he paid it I would have to take down bad reviews. These people cost me over $2900. Don't go with this company. They don't stand by their work and called me a lier. Absolute jerks and shady. I would rate a 0 if I could

If you are looking for a professional, experienced, thorough, home inspector, The House Doctors is…read morethe company to go with. This was my first time buying a home. I wasn't sure what to expect and was very nervous and overwhelmed. The The House Doctors inspected my condo and did an amazing job. From the first call, to scheduling the appointment, to the actual inspection and final report.....everything was done, fast, efficient, and thorough. Both inspectors were professional and explained everything step by step. Thank you so much for making the process seamless and stress free!!!

Home Inspection Geeks

4.7

(45 reviews)

Positive experience! We are purchasing our first house and really didn't know what to expect. John…read morefrom Home Inspection Geeks was fantastic! He was really great about answering our questions and explaining everything to us. It made the process less stressful and also instilled in us a lot more confidence in the property we were purchasing. Our final report was extremely detailed and left no doubt as to what needed to be addressed. We learned so much and now feel better prepared to be home owners!

John was so thorough on all the areas. He stayed and explained all of his findings , until I…read moreunderstood. Highly recommend this business

Hanna Property Inspection

(3 reviews)

Mike was thorough, and found many items that I never would have thought to inspect. He had the…read morereport to me within 24 hours, and it was extremely detail oriented with multiple pictures for each item that needed repair. I will be using him for all future inspections as he clearly knows exactly what he is doing + what to look for. His reviews live up to the excellent service provided. Highly recommended!

My husband and I have used Hanna Property Inspection for 3 homes over the past 4 years. All of our…read moreinspections have been extremely thorough, detailed, and expertly executed. It is very clear that Mike has a passion for home inspections and the intelligence to ensure a future homeowner knows everything to expect before moving in. In fact, he has saved us from purchasing a home that attempted to expertly hide critical issues within their foundation. On top of his exceptional assessment skills, he provides us with incredibly detailed inspection reports. Each report analyzes the house room by room, which includes photos to depict any and every issue seen. Even our attorney was impressed with the magnitude of our inspection report- he requested Mikes information for his personal use. I have referred all of family and friends to Hanna Property Inspection, as I do not trust anyone else to do the job right! Thank you Mike and Hanna Property Inspection for always taking such great care of us!

Legacy Inspection Group

3.5

(53 reviews)

Please do not use this company. They refused to inspect the foundation and crawl space because…read morethere was 2 inches of water in some spots and they were afraid to be "electrocuted". Their inspection report was very anemic consisting of only about 20 to 25 pages. They spent 80% of the time just showing me the electrical outlets and that was the least of my concern. Most everything they found was visible to the naked eye. I had to pay for an additional inspection for the foundation and crawlspace. And they refused to credit me or refund me a portion of the $600 fee. If you want a thorough inspection, please avoid this company. They missed several key problems.

I believe this may be the first online review I've written in my life, but my experience with…read moreLegacy Inspection was so profoundly negative and costly (in my opinion), that I feel an obligation to others who might be in my former position to detail my experience. It is with the strongest possible conviction that I would urge you to consider any of the other (presumably great) inspectors available in the greater Chicagoland area. In fact, I recently turned down a significant cash offer from Legacy because they insisted that I sign a release that would require that I "specifically agree that [I] will not post any information pertaining to the Released Parties on any print or electronic media, including, but not limited to, social media, consumer review sites, blogs, or customer review spaces...[and] agree to immediately remove any such posts prior to executing this Agreement." I feel a personal duty to save others from having to go through the same experience (and wonder if there are other similar experiences that have been silenced by such a confidentiality agreement). You can decide whether you think this is a firm worth entrusting. Full experience details below (details presented below should be considered approximate and everything below is my opinion): ---- We went under contract on a home in Old Town in late August 2023, scheduling Legacy Inspection to come inspect the house. Legacy was referred to us by our real estate agent (who, FWIW, ultimately upon seeing this situation play out, agreed to give us $5k back to us as an apology for recommending Legacy, which I would observe seems like a pretty damning indictment of Legacy). Legacy sent three inspectors on August 30, 2023 for a total cost of $1,520. Together, the team spent approximately 3-4 hours at the house. My impression in the moment was that they seemed to be doing a satisfactory job (OK, but nothing outstanding). As an aside, I found their report to be considerably shorter and less detailed than a report on the same property from a year earlier (given to us by the prior homeowner by an inspector called Home Advantage Inspections; not an endorsement, just a comparison). The inspection report outlined only a small list of issues, which was not surprising given that there has been a lot of work and money invested into the home during the prior year. Approximately 40 days later, after closing, we had our GC go to the roof to examine the gutters. Upon returning, he exclaimed "why didn't you have a home inspection?" -- noting that there was significant water damage on the roof, with gallons of water clearly sitting under the roof membrane. We stated that we clearly had an inspection and that Legacy's determination was that (per their report) it was in "Satisfactory" condition, noting that the only issue they found was a "loose cap" on one of the chimneys. Our GC replied that it was unequivocally not even close to "satisfactory" condition -- bringing me up to the roof to show the obvious condition that the roof was in. As a novice, I would describe the roof as a bit like walking on a water bed; with water spewing out of corners when stepped on. Such a level of damage, especially evident even to an untrained eye, suggested to me a major oversight in the earlier inspection, considering the minimal precipitation in the intervening period (specifically, only three instances of precipitation measuring over 0.1 inches during this 40-day period, per the National Weather Service). Upon discovery, I immediately emailed Legacy about the issue. Dave Catanese called me back within the hour and asked if they could send their lead inspector (Bob) the next day. Four of us went to the roof together and inspected the issue. There did not seem to be much debate that there was an issue. Legacy's mood was somber and earnest. After review, Bob noted that he needed to bring his findings back to the owners of Legacy. To be honest, I was hopeful that this small business would do the right thing and honor the implicit promise made to their customers. Dave followed up two days later to say "there now does appear to be an issue with the roofing. I would like to err in your favor and return your home inspection fee." Suffice to say, an $850 refund in the face of $35,000+ worth of damages was not acceptable in my opinion. After stating that to Dave, he noted that they would be filing an insurance claim with their insurer. Without boring anyone still reading this, I will summarize the last 4.5 months of dialogue between myself, Dave, and ICM (insurer) as follows: Despite every opportunity given to Legacy to be fair and pragmatic, they have chosen to hide behind their waiver. Ultimately, in March 2024, Legacy did present an offer above the Inspection Fee, but insisted that I sign a release form that would have bound my confidentiality. Some things in life aren't for sale.

Chicagoland Home Inspectors