We had a really wonderful experience with Harold as our home inspector. We hired him to inspect a single family home for us, and he was responsive and highly professional -- but with a sense of humor. He arrived at the house before we did, and had filled out all of the necessary paperwork to get the inspection rolling the night before. The inspection itself was incredibly thorough, which was wonderful, because as we went through the house with Harold, it was clear that the house needed more work than we had thought when we made our offer. There were many problems (costly problems that also would have grown into health hazards) he pointed out to us -- but that had been concealed to the untrained eye. Harold emailed us an extremely detailed report later that night with pictures, and clear language and recommendations. We determined that we were not going to buy the house, and we have Harold to thank for helping us to avoid huge issues down the road. Back into the housing market now, which stinks -- but we will absolutely hire Mt. Vernon Inspection Associates when we find the next house! read more

Apparently doesn't do post purchase/repair/warranty inspections for homeowners. "Sorry, we are unable to fulfill your request. We are only licensed and insured to perform full home inspections generally for people purchasing a house." read more

Highly recommend Harold and Mt. Vernon for your home inspection needs. Harold was recommended by my realtor and was extremely thorough in inspecting a home I am purchasing. He explained things in a way I (a first-time homeowner and longtime apartment-dweller) could easily understand and gave me a very clear roadmap of what kind of short-term and long-term repairs and maintenance I should expect. He was also very helpful after the inspection in discussing the results of the radon test. Furthermore, he is very personable and easy to reach. Look no further! read more

My fiancé and I used Harold as our home inspector. The only Gripe I would say no ladder was used to get up on the roof for a true assessment and inspection of the chimney . Harold used binoculars instead of getting on the roof which was odd. Also, the attic had a crawl space ( that was big enough to enter ) but was not entered and nothing was assessed as in condition and leaks of the roof towards the attic. Harold would also would not move anything ( small bags ) to assess the property maybe it was a liability thing ‍. Also, we paid Harold the extra for a pest inspection. Harold said he saw evidence of termites but he was told before the inspection of the past termite issue. We assumed we were paying Harold to tell us if the termites were active . Harold recommended we got a pest inspection ? The thing is when I get a property inspected please inspect the property thoroughly. Harold spent less than 2 hours there and we paid 700 dollars for the home assessment that was not performed thoroughly. For the reason I can not recommend Harold . read more

Harold is the best home inspector I have ever hired. Thanks to him, I managed to avoid purchasing a multi-family that looked good at first sight, but had significant problems that the seller and realtors were trying hard to hide. I became interested in the property when it was listed as a fully gut-renovated 3-family. I asked the realtor about the condition of the roof [this was a flat roof], heating system, and any problems with mold. The realtors confirmed the roof was new (2020). Based on this, I started the loan/offer process, got approved, and made the initial deposit. The realtors recommended a few of their network/discounted home inspectors, but my friend insisted that I go with someone with stellar reviews: Harold Popp. And I am very glad I took her advice. I called Harold, and he kindly accommodated my home inspection within the same week. He also very graciously offered me complimentary Radon and mold inspection bundled with the regular inspection. He arrived 45 mins before our scheduled time, and started checking out the exterior before I was there. When we arrived, he was already inspecting the basement. But he stopped and took us for a full review of the exterior and the flat roof. We proceeded to the interior and he would take the time to explain everything in detail. He never rushed the process and was always eager to answer any questions and explain things in detail. During [flat] roof inspection, Harold found a blocked drain and some water puddles forming in parts of the roof. He documented everything with pictures, and informed me that in his assessment, the ROOF WAS ABOUT 10-12 YEARS OLD. This was in conflict with what the realtors had shared with me. So I brought this up with them as they were present for the inspection. The realtor pulled up a thread of texts for us and said "I just got confirmation that the roof was done in 2020", claiming that Harold was wrong. Harold humbly said, ok perhaps I stand corrected [spoiler: the realtor was lying], but then he shared with me how I could go and check on public records how old the roof was. After the inspection, I did what Harold suggested, and lo and behold, the realtor was lying and Harold WAS RIGHT on the money. The last time the roof was restored was in 2011, meaning it was 11 years old!! Harold's estimate couldn't have been more accurate. Next day I pulled the offer and have contacted the William Raveis real estate company for restitution given their agents were lying. Harold, thank you 100 times for the best home inspection ever! read more

There is no other inspection company to choose. Stop scrolling. Harold and his son Craig are the bees knees. They are polite, considerate, timely, professional, honest and earnest. If you hire one of the big companies to save a few bucks, you'll get what you pay for. Don't do it. This is likely one of the biggest investments of your life. Straight shooters, but not alarmists. Let's face it, New England homes are old and need constant work. Harold and Craig will give you a solid idea of what is really important to do right away, and what you can take your time figuring out. Please, don't go anywhere else. Do yourself a favor. read more

Harold Popp & Craig Popp are the the best of the best home inspectors in New England. Harold has been a general contractor for over 30 years and with his son Craig have inspected some of the most distinguished homes in MA from the Crane Estate in Essex to multi million dollar mansions in Wellesley and numerous condominiums throughout the Boston area. If you are fortunate to get either of these two men to inspect your home, you are truly fortunate. read more

I echo all the other positive reviews and agree that Harold is the best when it comes to a home inspector. Harold came highly recommended by a co-worker and absolutely lived up to the high expectations. We hired Harold to inspect a single family home for us in December. He was very responsive and flexible to fit our timeline and showed up right on-time for our appointment. His attention to detail really stood out as he identified and explained so many potential issues for us to know about and/or further explore. As a first time home buyer, I found him to be an excellent communicator and highly knowledgeable as he took the time to explain everything, answered all of our questions and never made us feel rushed. His report (which we received the same day as our inspection) was very professional with excellent photos and descriptions. Both his insights during the inspection and summarized within the report highlighted that this house had a potentially recurring wet basement issue with multiple potential entry points for water that deserved further research. We took Harold's advice and worked with a contractor & waterproofer to learn that there could be several options to try to solve this issue, but they all came with cost, complexity and no guarantee of a dry basement. In addition to this, Mother Nature helped us out by bringing a stretch of heavy rain which caused water to be in the basement during one of our subsequent visits (as much as 2 inches in some spots), so luckily Harold's wisdom and expertise was right on point and gave us the evidence we needed to further research and ultimately avoid a headache of a situation. Great job Harold and I feel so much more knowledgeable as we look at other houses trying to find the right one for us. We'll definitely be using Harold again on the next one too! read more

Super great inspection service! I called very last minute to setup a time to inspect a potential property, and they were able to come out ASAP. The inspector was brutally honest with his checks. Due to his inspection, I was able to negotiate the seller down a massive amount from the initial offer price. A sample of things they caught: Big Things: - Improper supports on the basement and porch - Temporary support pillars being used as normal support pillars - Roof had multiple layers and needed to be stripped - Heating system not functional on the first floor - Several outlets not working - Several outlets not grounded - Outdated (now illegal) gutter drainage - Previous owner's (flippers) lack of permitting for any remodeling work done. Little Things: - Drier vent not capped so birds could nest in it - Edge of window in basement not sealed properly - Dishwasher improperly secured - Stairway banister several inches shorter than regulation - Insulation installed in incorrect location, increasing probability of rot - Exhaust pipes too short for regulation - Tiny exterior wood detailing in need of paint to prevent rot Their report was ~50 pages of very thorough notes with images and recommendations. I would highly recommend going with them if you want a thorough inspection, especially for an older home. They saved me a huge amount of money and headache and let me go in prepared for issues this house has. read more

Scott was amazing! It was clear from our phone conversation how detailed he was. He came fully prepared and took exactly the time he estimated. Scott showed up an hour before us to get a lot of the exterior done, then filled us in on the various aspect we found. Walking through the house he didn't miss anything. Best of all he was very clear about the one or two items that should be addressed right away, those that should be repaired once we move in and others to keep an eye out for. We are now experts on the new house thanks to him. The report after the fact was very thorough but not also very clear and easy to read. It had a perfect amount of pictures to detail and explain all aspects. It even allows you to select items to be repaired for a "punch" list. My wife and I cannot recommend Scott highly enough. read more

Get your home inspected by these guys. Before settling on Mt. Vernon Inspection Associates we called around to other inspectors that didn't come recommended by our realtor. Scott had by far the most comprehensive explanation of his services. So we hired him! The inspection lasted about 4.5 hours. Scott was very thorough. There was never a "you don't need to worry about that" or "that doesn't matter much". Every time we asked him anything, big or small, he walked us over and gave us a great explanation. Would use again in a heartbeat. read more

If you are seeking a Home Inspector you can trust, you've come to the right place! Our experience with Mt. Vernon Inspection Associates was top notch. From first contact, Harold was personable, professional, and thorough. With winter weather and the holidays posing a challenge during our inspection period, they managed to find flexibility in their schedule and get our inspection done in a timely manner. Being a young family looking to buy an antique house, we had unique concerns and circumstances. Communication through the entire process was seamless. We had many questions and concerns- all of which Harold and Scott went above and beyond to address. The inspection itself was comprehensive and informative. Throughout the process, Harold was an asset in showing and explaining each component of the inspection in both technical and laymen's terms to ensure were had a solid understanding of what we were looking at. We received the report within 24 hours, as promised. The report itself was highly-organized, extensive, and detailed. We are highly satisfied and feel like no stone was left unturned. THANK YOU to Mt. Vernon Inspection Associates for arming us with the information and tools we need to make the biggest decision of our lives! read more

Harold is truly an all-around wonderful person, professional, and will give you a more thorough home inspection than you could imagine, all while educating you on which discoveries warranted a closer look, and which were less significant. Not only was Harold easy to get along with, good conversation, but Harold may have saved me from making the worst investment of my life. Based on Harold's detailed inspection report, I got a clear sense that the home I was having inspected potentially had structural damage that would only increase in time, or would require additional significant investment to get the home foundation on solid footing and add structural support. Nothing was immediately apparent, but many of the warning signs articles on the internet cite as related to structural problems were all discovered in Harold's report. After carefully reviewing the report, it was clear there was correlation between the various problems the home had. Homes are a life-long investments and I could have not only fell into a money trap, but I could have watched my dream house turn into a nightmare very quickly. Harold saved me and my family a lot of grief, and even more money. In the end, I spent $700 (after additional testing) to have a home inspected that I didn't end up buying. Most people would see that as wasted money. Me, I see that as some of the best money I ever spent, and it saved me from making a mistake that could last a lifetime. Thank you, Harold! read more

Called these guys for a new home inspection based on their great reviews and I am very happy I did. Harold showed up early to start the outside part of the inspection and once we got there walked us through what turned out to be a doozy of an inspection. He was thorough and knowledgeable, and really great at communicating what the issues were, their relative severity, and what we could hypothetically do to address them. On top of that he was friendly and respectful. I really can't recommend his service enough. Buying a house is scary, it can feel like everybody is trying to rip you off. But Harold will have your back. read more

Brian O'Boyle was excellent to work with. He was accommodating, patient and thorough. I made a bonehead move with giving him the wrong date (stress has made my brain mush), but when this snafu became evident, he still showed up on the day I needed him. He even gave me my jacket when he noticed I was cold. That is true service, and very rare. He also caught a major potential problem with our possible new home, in that one of the systems is still functional, but will soon become a large home expense. This item is currently not technically in his purview, but he'd given me the tip to pull the permits for work done to the house from the town. After his review of it, he discovered that the septic system is almost 30 years old! All in all, I sincerely appreciated his generosity with his time and knowledge. He explained much of what he found, as he found it, in ways that we could understand. Thank you, Brian, for being a class act! read more

We are happy we chose Harold. He has expertise and the patience to educate his clients. Very professional and responsive. We would highly recommend him. read more

This is our go to home inspection company for years! Craig does a fantastic job on educating the consumers and making sure they know everything they need to know to make the most informed decision in the home buying process! DNA Realty Group would refer Mt Vernon Inspections and Craig to anyone thinking of buying a home read more

We have used Mt Vernon 4 times now and can't thank Craig Popp enough for the help. He is very thorough. Not only do they tell you what is wrong, they advise you on what could go wrong years down the line and even how to maintain currently working features to maximize their lifetime. I would recommend Craig to anyone ESPECIALLY a first time home buyer that needs a bit more explanation. read more

Harold is the best decision I've made in the home buying process. He was timely, thorough and very knowledgeable. He also took the time to explain maintenance on different systems in the house to my husband and I, who are first time homebuyers. I received his report that same afternoon and it was an easy read, complete with color photos. Because of Harold's keen eye we were able to get a closing credit. He even gave me a referral for a mold specialist who was also great and took the time to talk me off the ledge when the house came back positive for radon. Harold and his assistant are all around great guys and I will definitely use them in the future if I ever buy again. read more

My boyfriend and I used Mt. Vernon Inspection Associates twice during our home buying journey. The first time Harold found many structural concerns and we decided not to proceed with the purchase. He was straight-forward with his concerns and very helpful to us as first time homebuyers. I was out of state at the time of the inspection but we had a long conversation during which we reviewed the inspection report and he was patient and thorough in answering my MANY questions. The second inspection went much smoother and now we are happy homeowners. Because of our first experience, I had a great trust for this company and it's representatives. Scott performed the second inspection. He was thorough and informative, offering tips and pointing out structural strengths as well as errors. He was honest with us, offering what he know about the builder (new construction), and I felt very well prepared with a thorough punch-list moving forward. I highly recommend Mt Vernon Inspection Associates for home inspection! read more

If Yelp had 10 stars, Harold and Brian definitely would've received it. We had our home inspection today and received the report within 3 hours of the inspection-- impressive. They were extremely thorough, knowledgeable, clearly outlined positives/negatives and recommendations. It was an absolute pleasure working with them and not only did we feel as through every angle was examined, but we also learned a great deal about what we will need to take care of in the home. Their inspection saved us thousands, they are worth every penny! We cannot recommend them enough, they were awesome!!!! read more

Harold Popp and his son are great home inspectors. They really took the time to review the home we are purchasing inside and out and explain things in detail with an impartial approach. They made sure we knew about the real problem areas and things we should maybe put on our to do list later on which I really appreciated. Knowing what the potentials are down the road and not just the "here and now" can really help you make this decision with full knowledge of the overall commitment you are making financially. The homeowners purchased the home two years ago and he pointed out things that even they weren't aware of. His pleasant welcoming demeanor and early arrival made the process great. I would highly recommend this agency. Thanks so much for helping us feel great and most importantly educated about our future home! read more

Our inspector was Scott Napier - overall, A+ without question. From the first moment of contact, Scott was timely, responsive, available, and all the while pleasant and professional. Scott gave us a fair market price and delivered extremely high-quality services... often going above a beyond to educate us first-time home buys and give snippets of advice on odds and ends throughout the inspection. Scott quickly got us the report via email as promised, and made himself available for subsequent questions. We also needed a return visit to finish the inspection in an area of the basement that was previously inaccessible... Again, Scott was quickly available and responsive - he made the return visit on short notice without issue. Overall, Scott did great work for us and made this element of our home-buying process smooth and enjoyable. read more

The years of experience shows. Seeing many inspectors work, Mount Vernon was real and kept my deals alive. Easy reporting and a thorough inspection are critical for a great inspection. read more

Harold inspected two homes for us....think about that for a second. The first home he looked at was riddled with problems. He was honest and thorough and also impartial. He didn't say "you should/not" buy the house, but he flat out stated what was going to be an issue and what wasn't. I spoke with him after the inspection and he was honest and helpful, and he kept us as first time home buyers from making what I believe was a huge mistake. He also inspected a second home which we ended up purchasing. We haven't discovered anything (knock wood), that he didn't already find, that proved to be a problem. That says to me that he's great at his job! We found a coupon for the first house, and he honored the same coupon for the second inspection. He was prompt and on time, and very friendly. We probably won't buy another house for several more years, but I'd gladly use Mt. Vernon again when/if we do, and I'll recommend them to any of my friends buying a house. read more

My husband and I are in the process of buying our first home, and we asked Harold to do our home inspection at the urging of our real estate agent. He responded to my voicemail inquiry within 10 minutes, and was very accommodating in setting up a date/time that worked for us. We arrived at the house on the day of the inspection, and he was already there, hard at work surveying the outside of the property. Over the course of the next three hours, he walked us through every nook and cranny of the property, really taking time to educate and inform us about certain findings (both good and bad). His expertise really helped us prioritize what is important to take care of now, versus what is still important but can wait till later! Home inspections can be a little scary, but Harold really made us feel comfortable with the process. He was honest, kind, and patient with all of our questions... and he had the report in our inboxes by 7pm that same day! I recommend his services without hesitation - Harold, thank you SO MUCH for your help! read more

Craig Popp and his father Hack are a wonderful team. The first thing I think of when I think of their company is " high integrity" I work in real estate and almost all of my buyer clients have hired Craig. What makes him different? He shows up 30 minutes before the inspection to walk around the exterior and he also takes photos to document the entire inspection. After the inspection is complete, the full report is emailed within 24 hours. If I ever buy a home, I will hire Craig to do my home inspection. Worth every penny. read more

Craig Popp at Mt. Vernon Inspection Associates inspected my home-to-be on Monday, April 13. I found Craig to be professional, thorough, detailed, congenial and able to explain every facet of the inspection to me both in technical terms and in terms which made me better able to understand what he was doing and seeing at the time of the inspection, also with recommendations to me personally, with follow-through on a comprehensive inspection report which I was able to access online within hours of his inspection. He was very knowledgeable about every aspect of the construction of the building, inside, outside, basement, attic, roofing, everywhere! He had knowledge of the codes involved and the current laws governing everything he inspected. His inspection took place at 9:00A and I received an official inspection report at 1:02P that same day. Craig is licensed in MA and NH. My inspection was in Stratham, NH. I also had the privilege of using Mt. Vernon inspection when I co-signed for home for my son, back in the early 2000s. I highly recommend Craig Popp and Mt Vernon Inspection Associates, for home inspections! read more

Harold was exceptional! From the initial phone call he greeted me with the utmost kindness and professionalism. I could tell right away he is someone who knows the home inspection business inside and out. I also appreciated that when speaking with me, he treated me with respect and courtesy, and when he explained things throughout the process on inspection day he was very thorough, direct and made sure we understood items he was pointing out before moving to the next part of the inspection. His prices are very reasonable, yet he provides Cadillac level service! Harold's report was completed within the timeline promised and was the most comprehensive home inspection report with many photos as well that I've ever seen; this is the fourth home I've purchased. I am so grateful that he was available to do this inspection for us, he was my first choice and in the future would be my only choice. read more

Regrettably, the person who responded to my review didn't attend the inspection either. The house has a couple additions and different attic spaces, which he's confusing. I sought to resolve our differences and was argued with. So, expect the same if you have any difficulties. read more

Cannot recommend enough. I was looking at a fixer upper, so I knew about some of the issues, but Harold's thorough and informative inspection pointed out several issues I had not anticipated and was not prepared to resolve. Harold took the time to show me the issues, explain how he spotted them, and discuss the relative severity. In the end, I decided that the project was more than I could handle, meaning the inspection was the best money I've spent in my life. I will 100% ask to work with Harold on my next potential purchase. A reliable inspector is your most valuable ally in the home-buying process, and if you hire Mt. Vernon Inspection, that is what you will get. read more

My wife and I recently had an accepted offer on a home in Haverhill with a quick close, and needed a fast turnaround for an inspection. Per the referral of our agent, she recommended Craig Popp who was absolutely fantastic. He was able to come out on short notice, and not only was he thorough, informative, and personable, but he also helped ease our anxiety on what Is typically a stressful period during home inspection. He brought along Scott who was training and also was excellent. I couldn't recommend them enough! read more

My wife and I were first time home buyers and Harold came out to inspect our house in October. We were working with an aggressive timeline with the sellers and he was able to schedule his inspection in only a few days time which was excellent. He was prompt the day of and very thorough. We'd never been through the process and Harold answered all of our questions with a ton of detail without going above our heads. My father-in-law tagged along who has a strong construction background and Harold was able to bring him into the process without any conflict or butting of heads. He was patient and knowledgeable and my wife and I both felt very confident in his assessment when we left that day. I would highly recommend Harold and Mt Vernon to anyone in need of a home inspection. read more

I was referred to Mt. Vernon by another inspector, who was going out of town and couldn't accommodate me. I called Harold and he answered right away. He said that he would call Brian O'Boyle and said that Brian would call me within the hour. Brian called me back in about 10 minutes. The conversation started with him basically explaining everything he was going to do during the inspection. He also gave me his background and how long he has been inspecting for. I met Brian at 10:30 on a Saturday, but he had already been there 15 minutes looking around taking pictures. We went inside and once again he explained about all the things he was going to look at. We started on the outside and he explained everything he was looking at and suggested things I should do, if I decide to go with the house. Inside we went through the basement, electrical, plumbing, cracks, foundation, fireplace, etc... You name it he went through it and explained it. Midway he stopped to take notes but continued to talk to me about the house and even found pictures on his phone of other houses like this one the architect had designed. Brian was unbelievably thorough during the inspection. He kept on asking if I had questions and if I understood everything he was explaining to me. I had the report emailed to me at 7:30 the same night, all 61 pages. As we were leaving the inspection he even came over and brushed the snow off my car. Now that is service. I highly recommend Brian and Mt. Vernon Inspection Associates for your home inspection. read more

Harold was absolutely excellent. He was referred by my realtor, and after reading some other great reviews on here, I decided to schedule the inspection of my new condo. Harold was able to fit me in just a few days later. He was super patient and walked me through everything. He was so thorough, I barely had any questions because he'd address them before I got the chance to ask (and I typically have a LOT of questions). My inspection report came super timely later that day, included tons of pictures and a very detailed analysis of everything. Our biggest issue coming out of the inspection was the roof, so a month or so later, I shot Harold an email with some pictures of the now repaired roof and he called me within 2 hours and talked through it with me. Overall, I would highly recommend Harold. I can't imagine a better or more thorough inspector. Thanks Harold! read more

My girlfriend and I were first-time home buyers in a crazy market toward the end of 2017. The first offer we had accepted we called Mt. Vernon and spoke with Harold based on reviews we had seen. Both on the phone and at the inspection (he was available the next day), Harold was incredibly kind, patient, and thorough. He arrived right on time. He takes you around the house - outside and in - and points out everything he has found in the inspection. He was extremely knowledgable and a pleasure to work with. The first house had a number of issues and we moved on to another house we found. We did not hesitate to call Harold. He was once again available within two days and did a full and thorough inspection. The second house was in pretty good shape and while Harold did point out any issues he found, it never felt like he was nitpicking just to have things to point out. He's happy to point out the good things about the house too (structure, craftsmanship, etc.). The same day, you receive an incredibly thorough report which points out everything found in the inspection along with pictures and explanations. A feature that I like is a summary section of the report which points out the heavy-hitters so you don't have to read through the entire report and can concentrate on the important or big-ticket items to help make your decision. My mother was at the first inspection and she has been through this process a number of times and she said Harold was the most thorough inspector she had ever seen. If/when I buy another house in the area, I would not hesitate to call Harold and Mt. Vernon back. read more

IF you are buying a house, you need to get an inspector. And not just any inspector. Hire the best. It's worth the investment. Harold Popp has served multiple members of our family: He is trustworthy and he sees EVERYTHING. read more

After receiving a very detail home inspection memo from mount vernon I contacted several contractors to evaluate the issues and POTENTIAL issue that were involved in the report. As it turns out, most of what was in the report plumbing , electric, heating etc. were either very minor repairable issues , or complete non issues at all . The report featured several cases as it turns out, that showed issues with the home, when the exact opposite was the case according to several contractors. I find the practices displayed in the report to be over the top, unprofessional , misleading , and wreck less . Buying a home is a very stressful time and we need to be able to rely on the people we hire to provide us with accurate information to aid us in the process. I don't feel this is the case. read more

We worked with Brian O'Boyle, and he was excellent. He was knowledgeable, informative, thorough, and patient. He took time to inspect every part of the exterior, common area, and our unit (it was a three-unit condo in Somerville). He was well-versed in electric wiring, heating, plumbing, you name it. He answered all of our questions and provided us with a detailed, easy-to-understand inspection report within six hours of the inspection. He is a top-notch! read more

Craig Popp was excellent from start to finish. It started with him being available on relatively short notice.Craig was very punctual and spent many hours going through all parts of the exterior and interior of the property. He spent the time to show and explain everything he found in straightforward clear terms which were illustrated just the same in his timely and comprehensive report later that same day. His findings and report directly resulted in several thousand dollars off the purchase price of the home for items which would not have stood out to the average home buyer's eyes. I would highly recommend Craig without hesitation to friends, family, and co-workers. read more