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!

Mike saved my family from making a possible financially destructive mistake. We moved on from 1…read moreoffer and onto a much stronger, quality house. Mike was reasonably priced once you walkthrough with him and see the due diligence he puts into his job. He educates along the way, and is extremely responsive. Your search for a quality inspector should stop here.

Without this guy, it's possible that in the year 2030 I'd be huddled up in blankets in the corner…read moreof my "dream" condo, writing checks to settle a lawsuit from the previous month's balcony collapse, brushing off droplets of water dripping from the leaky ceiling, and dodging my unsecured dishwasher lurching across the floor towards me just as the rotted truss beneath the floor collapses and sends me crashing onto the floor of my downstairs neighbor's waterlogged unit. It's also possible that none of those things would happen. But if anything did fail, I'm sure could trace it back to one of the property "concerns" listed in the meticulous inspection report provided by Inspection Connection. It's also possible that Mike Lamb thought he was dealing with an idiot (I'm a novice in home maintenance, for sure), but if that's the case he didn't show a trace of the condescension or arrogance that smart people sometimes enjoy taking on, as he calmly, patiently, and stoically led me through a skeptic's tour of a flawed property. He never stated his overall opinion about the place, but instead left me with a list of concerns that took a while to sink in. Ultimately I convinced myself that it was *I* who decided that what I once thought was my dream condo would be more trouble than it was worth. The dude is also a good writer and communicator. I'd recommend asking for his "Property Inspection Basics" sheet, which will help you pre-screen for any obvious problems with plumbing, structure, moisture, etc.. There are also some useful pages on his website- one outlining an approach to condo buying (reviewing the condo association's minutes and reserves, etc.) and another outlining the particular concerns of Chicago's split face block construction of the late 1990s and 2000s. I later shared my inspection report with my dad, a man of few words who built our family's sturdy New England house some 50 years ago, and he came to a similar conclusion as me: "Ditch the condo, keep the inspector."

Very detailed inspection, ranging from significant problems that need to be negotiated with the…read moreseller, to what I should monitor and budget for in future. (Super-helpful!) I already knew a fair amount about repairs et al, and Josh was able to answer my questions in detail, so it was clear that he knew what he was talking about. He didn't go beyond what could be fairly asserted, but did ensure that I knew what I should look out for as possible problems in future. I noted their attention to detail - e.g. there were written checks in place to ensure that lights were off, the thermostat was reset, and the door locked behind us. Things like possibly missing or broken screens, lack of outlets in certain areas, a step that was too high were all noted. The cost was very fair and the results were high-quality. I felt that it gave us the information we needed to negotiate fairly with the sellers. Basically, I walked away with a manual that I will refer to in order to ensure that I am checking potential problems and budgeting for future repairs. I could most definitely see asking for a return inspection in a few years to ensure that I was taking care of this very expensive purchase properly! The one VERY picky thing that I would suggest is a table of contents in the writeup, as I wasn't aware that categories of significant findings and advice for future repairs and maintenance were listed at the end of the report.

Pros: Quick response time, professional inspectors (2); thorough inspection & report (88 pps on a…read more100-yr-old two flat); executive summary highlighted key problems that would need immediate attention. The inspection report helped us make an informed decision on whether to buy this investment property. Con (depending on your priorities): Fee was higher than bids by other inspectors, but, for me, I got what I paid for.

I waited a few months to write this review and I am glad I did. We just had record setting snowfall…read morefor this winter which I can imagine would be a nightmare for anyone who chose a poor home inspector. Markus conducted his VERY thorough inspection and before he departed, gave me his divine blessing to purchase my current home. Guess what...zero problems....ZERO. Throw a Antarctic blizzard my way... I am ready. HIGHLY recommended and I will be giving Markus a call for all future property deals.

Markus is great. I decided against using my agent's recommendations and did a search on my own…read more Glad I ran across AIC. He uses his digital camera and snaps EVERYTHING and is super thorough. At the end of the inspection both the seller's agent and my agent were nervous that my chat with Markus would kill the deal... it didn't, but for an inspector to be that good, I was impressed. He walked me through his concerns on-site and turned around a written report with photos inserted in the Word doc within 12 hours. He even searched for a manual to a heater in the condo unit and attached it to the report. After the inspection and the report, he followed up with a courtesy phone call just to make sure I didn't have any additional concerns. Excellent experience. Will definitely rehire when the home buying time presents itself again.

I used Chris Pasten as my home inspector since 2021, giving him deal after deal over the years…read more Despite sending him consistent business, I never once received a referral in return. On top of that, I often found myself doing the legwork to coordinate inspections, after handing him clients directly. I wish someone would do that for my business, but I don't have that luxury. Today, I asked him to call my client directly to schedule. Instead, at 12:29 PM, he texted me a proposed time and waited for me to confirm it. I replied one minute later, just needing to double check with the buyer, since she works weekends. I also asked if he had any other time slots available, just in case. At 12:57 PM, he said, "Oh ok, Monday 1pm or 4:30pm?" I called my client immediately. She said Sunday is perfect. I texted him back at 1:01 PM: "She said Sunday is good." At 1:02 PM, he replied that he had already given that slot away. I told him how frustrating this pattern has become, how I'm the one bringing him business and expected to coordinate it like I'm his assistant, even after I send him their phone number and address. All he had to do was make the call I initially asked for. That alone was already disrespectful, but this is 95% of the time. Today, I got fed up with his entitled attitude. But here's the biggest issue, during the inspection at my personal property, Chris looked at my wife in a way that crossed the line. She was newly pregnant at the time, with my daughter. I never said anything before, but today, I did, after telling him respectfully that I'm not his secretary. I texted him exactly, "I know you're single, but next time when you see my wife, don't ever look at her like that again. Respect boundaries." Instead of clearing the air, denying it, or offering any sort of apology, Chris doubled down. He accused me of being "borderline abusive," claimed I was the problem, and said he would no longer work with me. Textbook... tried to gaslight me when I raise my concerns as a client. He completely ignored the concern I raised, and chose confrontation over accountability. I did not curse, threaten, or attack him. I asked for mutual respect after four years of being a loyal, reliable source of business. The way Chris chose to respond, by confronting me instead of addressing the issue, tells me everything I need to know. That kind of reaction speaks louder than any denial ever could. It confirmed what I had felt all along, and validated that my instincts were 100% spot on. My wife agrees. I've kept a full record of our text exchange and prior incidents. If needed, or if there's retaliation or misrepresentation, I'm more than willing to share the screenshots. If you're a fellow agent or investor and want to verify the details, feel free to message me privately. Chris expects a handout, and doesn't respect the Realtors who hand him business on a silver platter, due to his personal biases and differences. Has zero accountability.

The inspector was very thorough and detailed. He took his time to listen to my concerns and…read moreanswers my questions. He also turned in the report the same day. Which was great because the deadline was coming up. I highly recommend his services.

Answered every question we had, and explained every specific detail with no hesitation. Thank you,…read moreOscar.

Ideal, yes! I could not ask for more. Oscar of Ideal Home Inspection is/has become my go-to for…read morehome inspections! I found him on Yelp last month and after seeing his 5 stars reviews, I had to schedule him. And guess what? All the awesome things written are true! He's punctual, friendly, attentive and thorough.... and his rates are reasonable. I am also most appreciative that I can call/text him during odd hours and he responds in a timely manner. Bonus in my book.

Absolutely phenomenal service! They immediately respond and schedule services. Very impressed with…read morethe service provided, truly worth the service and then some. Murad went above and beyond during his thorough home inspection.

From the owner: Welcome to Prestige Home Inspections - Your leading home inspection company in the greater…read moreChicagoland area! We are a licensed and insured team of inspectors who provide comprehensive buyer inspection reports: If you are buying a home, find out your prospective home's condition and if it's worth the investment. We also provide comprehensive seller inspection reports: Hire us to examine your home in order to get a head start on its condition before you list it on the market.