Wall Covering, Landscaping, Grading, Elevation, Drainage, Driveways, Fences, Sidewalks, Fascia, Trim, Doors, Window, Lights and Exterior Receptacles
Wall Covering, Landscaping, Grading, Elevation, Drainage, Driveways, Fences, Sidewalks, Fascia, Trim, Doors, Window, Lights and Exterior Receptacles
Framing, Ventilation, Type of Construction, Flashing and Gutters
Construction of Walls, Ceiling, Floors, Roof and Foundation
Identification of Pipe Materials Used for Potable Water, Drain, Waste and Vent Pipes. Toilets, Showers, Sinks, Faucets and Traps.
Water Heaters, Furnaces, Air Conditioning, Duct Work, Chimney, Fireplace
Main Panel, Circuit Breakers, Types of Wiring, Grounding, Exhaust Fans, Receptacles, Ceiling Fan and Light Fixtures
Dishwasher, Range and Oven, Built In Microwaves, Garbage Disposal
Slab, Walls, Ceiling, Vents, Entry, Fire Wall, Garage Door, Openers, Lights, Receptacles, Windows and Roof
Walls, Ceilings, Floors, Doors, Windows, Cabinets, Counters, Stairs, Railings, Built-In-Kitchen Appliances, Sinks, Disposals, Hoods, Bath Fixtures, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Fireplaces, Water Heaters, Vents, Relief Valves
Andy was born and raised in Iowa. From a very young age he was always hands on and interested in taking things apart to see how they worked. In high school and college, he worked as a roofer, did residential construction and worked on a farm which included building confinement buildings and hog houses. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Ambrose University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and minor in Economics. After college he moved to Arizona and worked as a residential claims adjuster for 15 years adjusting claims and writing estimates for residential homes. It included working with engineers, architects and contractors to write estimates for repair.
This is where a lot of construction knowledge was put to good use and a lot of new information was learned for home inspecting. Upon leaving the insurance industry as a property claims adjuster, he was specializing in total loss claims, managing independent adjusters and utilizing experts as a claims specialist and licensed in all states except Alaska. Always having a dream of owning his own business and the love for real estate lead him to his passion of home inspecting. He was mentored by a successful inspector for a year and then began Desert Home Inspectors, LLC. He currently lives in North Phoenix with his wife Jan and cat Simba. When not inspecting homes, Andy enjoys repairing or renovating things around the house, working on cars, traveling, wakeboarding, snowboarding and watching his wife compete in triathlons.
Confidence starts with clarity. Find answers to common questions about the Desert Home Inspectors process in the Phoenix Valley
Buying a home is likely the largest investment you’ll ever make. An objective, expert inspection is crucial to protect that investment. Our reports alert you to safety issues, expensive repairs that are needed now, or items that may require replacement in the near future. This knowledge gives you a full understanding of the property you are buying and provides vital leverage during negotiations, often saving you thousands of dollars.
A professional home inspection is a comprehensive, visual examination of the current condition of a home, its major systems, and its structural components. At Desert Home Inspectors, our certified inspectors check over 300 items, including:
Structure: Foundation, walls, roof structure, and attic.
Exterior: Siding, grading, drainage, driveways, sidewalks, and windows.
Roof: Type, age, flashing, gutters, and potential leak points.
Major Systems: Full HVAC (heating and cooling), comprehensive plumbing, and electrical systems.
Interior: Ceilings, floors, walls, doors, stairs, cabinetry, and countertops.
Built-in Appliances: Range/oven, dishwasher, microwave, and garbage disposal.
Garage: Door openers, firewalls, and safety sensors.
Absolutely. We strongly recommend an inspection for any new construction home in Phoenix. While newly built homes pass city inspections, those are brief safety checks, not comprehensive performance inspections. We frequently discover significant issues in new builds, such as missing insulation, reversed wiring, improperly vented appliances, or plumbing leaks that were missed during construction. A “final walk-through” inspection allows you to present a “punch list” of repairs to the builder before you close.
A typical inspection for a standard single-family home takes approximately 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size, age, and complexity of the property. We understand that time is of the essence during a real estate transaction. You will receive your detailed, digital inspection report, complete with high-resolution photos and summaries, by email within 24 hours of the inspection’s completion.
While it is not mandatory for you to be present, we highly recommend that you attend at least the final 30–60 minutes of the inspection. This allows Andy to walk you through the property, physically show you any significant findings, explain how key systems operate, and answer any immediate questions you may have. If you cannot attend, the detailed report will provide all the necessary information.
Absolutely. Desert Home Inspectors is fully licensed by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Certified (Arizona Certified Home Inspector #64253) and General Liability insurance, providing you with complete peace of mind and professional accountability
No. A home inspection is an assessment of the home’s current condition, not a code compliance check, appraisal, or a grade. Our job is to provide an objective snapshot of the property. The report will identify deficiencies (items that need repair, replacement, or are safety hazards), but it is up to the buyer and seller to determine how those items will be handled.
Depending on the property, we highly recommend adding these specialized inspections:
Termite/WDI Inspection: In Arizona, it’s often said it’s not if you will get termites, but when. Most lenders require a Wood-Destroying Insect (WDI) report. We offer convenient concurrent termite inspections.
Pool & Spa Inspection: Given the desert heat, pools are a significant asset. Our comprehensive pool/spa inspections check for proper functioning of pumps, filters, heating systems, deck condition, and vital safety features.
Lead-Based Paint/Asbestos: If you are purchasing a home built before 1978, you should consider testing for these hazardous materials.
Yes. If the roof is safely accessible and weather conditions permit, we will walk the roof surface to inspect the covering, flashing, and penetration points. We also enter and evaluate all accessible crawlspaces and attic areas to check for structural issues, insulation, and signs of moisture.
It is very common for an inspection to find issues, even in new or well-maintained homes. If “major defects” (issues related to safety, functionality, structure, or major system failure) are found, we recommend using the findings as a tool for negotiation. Your real estate agent can help you request that the seller makes the repairs, provides a credit, or reduces the home’s price to cover the eventual costs.
