We were first time home buyers in November 2013. We followed our realtor's lead on inspection companies. We had GLI do the inspection, and my first impression was quite positive. It felt like they were thorough. They let my husband follow them throughout so he could see the issues. They took lots of pictures, provided a thorough report, etc. The only major issue they noted was roof damage and radon. We had the radon fixed and then got a second opinion on the roof (second opinion said no need to replace yet...felt inspectors were being very cautious in concerns but roof still had many years in it). They reviewed our chimneys/fireboxes and noted a small issues but nothing major. So initially, I would recommend this company. Fast forward to a few months later when we are living in the house. It's winter, it's cold and drafty, we want to use our two fireplaces. We call a reputable chimney inspection company. They inform us that one of our chimneys is not built to code (the chimney flue is too close to wood, insulation, and roof flashing which presents fire risk). We also discovered that our second fireplace hearth was falling away from the wall resulting in a .5-1 inch gap between hearth and wall. Through this hole, we could see straight into the studs of our home...no wonder it was so freaking drafty. There was also considerable wood rot around the chimney. Obviously we were quite irritated that these issues were not caught by GLI. They are not issues that quickly popped up, but rather they are issues which have been apparent for years on the home. To me, home inspections should be pretty thorough on the chimney and firebox areas since they pose a huge risk for fire and home loss. From our experience, GLI seemed thorough in most areas, but not in the chimney/firebox issues. This was a costly oversight for us and has led to over $2K in repairs just so our fireplaces are safe/useable. read more

As a Realtor, I have used Guiding Light dozens of times over the last 8-9 years and they are consistently excellent at what they do. They are thorough without being alarmist. I have never had any experience with them that wasn't professional and ethical. I have never heard of a home inspector that caught every single flaw and inspection reports are always hard for sellers to read on their homes, but with that said, these guys are as good as they get. read more

They missed exhaust being installed backwards for gas furnace. I have been breathing low level of CO for almost 3 years. CO detectors kept going off and had to call gas service company for inspection. Plumbed wrong not detected. read more

This is seriously a terrible company. They don't work with you at all. They treat you like you are just another paycheck instead of a person. They lied about what was inspected and I found this out after I paid them. They were unwilling to give any type of refund after this and admitted the inspection that I was told was done was not. Lying cheating company. We went with inspectornick and they were wonderful! And just a little bit cheaper as well. read more

Greg was the inspector for our home that we were selling and ended up costing us money in unnecessary repairs. I've built a few residential homes in my day so I have a healthy knowledge of what's up to code and what should be fixed. The house being 20+ years old, I knew a few request would be sent my way. 1. We actually had damage to our home during the inspection. When we came back after the inspection, our microwave door was broke and the handle was half pulled off. I immediately sent pictures to our realtor who told us she sent them to the buyers agent, who in-turn sent it to GLI. We were told the microwave door was broke when they got there. I think I would notice that the door was shattered and I would not be in shock to come home to a broken microwave. The door cost me $185 to replace. Greg had to come back 4 days later to pick up his radon tester. Funny thing, The pictures I took to show my realtor immediately after his inspection doesn't match the pictures in his inspection report. In Greg's report, he shows pictures of my kitchen with the counter tops completely clean and in order, but when Greg took pictures of the broken microwave for his report, HIS pictures show my mail all over the counter tops and our items moved around since we didn't clean up for his to pick up his tester. Clearly, the pictures in HIS report of my kitchen and the broken microwave were taken at different times. 2. Greg's report stated there were termite damage on the outside of the house, (let me add that there were no pictures of it) so we had to pay for someone to treat for terminates. We had 2 reputable companies come out to inspect and provide estimates and both said there was not signs of termites, but actually of ants on a piece of wood in yard. We treated for termites anyway so that the sale of the house would go through. 3. His report also said the roof was buckling. He also said the roof fan vent holes were half-covered (and he had pictures of it). I had a roofing contractor come inspect the buckling of the roof so we could get an estimate for the repairs. Yes, the roof inspector did notice 3 out of the 4 holes he walked past were half covered, but had Greg walked the entire length of the attic, he would have noticed the other 3 vents were also half-covered and there was a high rafter that was causing the look of the buckling of the roof, and not that the plywood was actually buckling. read more

Avoid. Not a very professional staff. They took lots of pictures and spent a long time in the home but the report missed huge problems with the plumbing and roof. This is not my first home so I know that inspections can't catch every little problem This crew missed some big issues that we are now stuck repairing. read more