Best Home Inspectors in Chicago
Are you searching for a reliable home inspection service you can trust? Elite Inspections is proud to be one of the top choices for anyone needing a thorough and professional home inspection near Chicago. Whether you’re buying your first home, preparing to sell, or simply wanting a clearer understanding of your property’s condition, our experienced team delivers detailed, accurate evaluations that give you confidence and peace of mind.
As a trusted inspection company, we provide comprehensive assessments that cover every major system and component of the home—from the foundation to the roof and everything in between. Our inspectors take the time to explain their findings, answer your questions, and help you make informed decisions about your investment.
With Elite Inspections, you’re not just getting a report—you’re getting a partner who prioritizes your safety, your financial well-being, and your long-term satisfaction. When you need dependable, top-quality home inspection services in the Chicago area, we’re the team you can count on. Contact us today to schedule your inspection!
Read more below or contact us to schedule an appointment or request a quote!
Home Inspection Services
Supplemental Services
Investor consultations/ Walk Throughs
investors walking through a property to assess its condition, potential for renovation or development, and its suitability for investment purposes. During these walk-throughs, investors may ask questions, take notes, and gather information.
Seller's pre-listing inspection
is an inspection conducted by the seller of a property before listing it for sale on the market. The purpose of this inspection is to identify any potential issues or defects with the property that could affect its value or marketability.
Buyer's pre purchase inspection
inspector thoroughly assesses the condition of a property before finalizing the purchase.
Commercial Property Inspection
comprehensive evaluations of commercial real estate properties. These inspections are typically performed for various purposes, including due diligence before purchasing, leasing a property or routine maintenance.
Radon testing
48-hour test that checks for the presence of high levels of radon gas. Cost $250
Fireplace Chimney Flue Scan
we send a camera up the fireplace chimney to verify the integrity of the fireplace flue liner. (Note that this does not include a scan of the appliance flues (furnace, water heater, boiler) Cost is $275 for the first fireplace chimney and $150 for each additional fireplace chimney.
Sewer Survey
we send a digital camera down the line from the home’s clean-out to the city sewer to check the integrity of the sewer line and possible clogging. Cost $350
Residential
Commercial
Thermal Imaging
Included with Every Inspection
Thermal Imaging Inspection
By taking and evaluating thermal images, I can detect sources of energy loss, locate areas of moisture intrusion, pinpoint dangerous hot spots in the electrical system, and uncover other problems.
The Small Stuff
If we find a simple problem with our home inspection services, don’t sweat it; we fix the small stuff for free.
Our 200% Money Back Guarantee
My guarantee makes your choice of Home Inspection firms both easy and risk free. Your selection of Elite Inspections Inc. will provide you the peace of mind that I give 200% to you on every inspection, so that I don’t spend 200%. Elite Inspections Inc. is committed to providing you the most thorough home inspection and the best customer service in Chicagoland Area.
If you are not completely satisfied at the end of your home inspection, not only will we refund your home inspection fee, we will also pay for another licensed home inspector of your choice up to the original inspection fee! We are so sure that you will love our service and our professionalism that we’re willing to give you this pledge!
A signed and witnessed Elite Inspections Inc. release and indemnity agreement must be received to initiate this process. Client must be personally present for at least the last hour of the inspection. This is specifically for us to print out the report and discuss our findings in its entirety, in person, with the client. The inspection fee paid to Elite Inspections Inc. will be refunded, by check, to the party who originated payment to us. A reinspection must be done by a Illinois Licensed Inspector. A check will be generated by Elite Inspections Inc. to the re-inspection company, in their company name, for their inspection fee up to 100% of our original inspection fee.
Our 200% Guarantee will stay in place 2 days from the date of the home inspection.
A standard home inspection typically includes a thorough visual evaluation of a home's major systems and components. This includes the roof, foundation, HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, windows, doors, and insulation. At Elite Inspections, we follow industry best practices to ensure that every aspect of the property is assessed for functionality, safety, and potential future concerns. Our goal is to provide clients with the information they need to make confident decisions.
Our 200% Guarantee will stay in place 2 days from the date of the home inspection.
Hiring a professional home inspector provides peace of mind and helps you avoid costly surprises down the road. Our trained inspectors know what to look for and are equipped to identify hidden issues that may not be apparent to the average buyer or seller. A comprehensive inspection report from Elite Inspections gives you a clear understanding of a home’s condition and supports negotiations during real estate transactions.
A home inspection is not a pass or fail test. Instead, it provides an objective assessment of a property’s condition. Our job is to document issues and explain their significance so that you can make informed choices. Whether you're a buyer, seller, or homeowner, Elite Inspections offers clear, detailed reports that help guide your next steps.
Home Inspection Services
What Problems Can a Home Inspection Find Before You Buy a House?
A property can look well maintained during a showing while still having problems that aren’t immediately visible. A professional home inspection provides a closer evaluation of the major systems and components so buyers can better understand the property’s condition before completing their purchase.
Elite Inspections evaluates areas including the roof, foundation, HVAC equipment, electrical system, plumbing, windows, doors, insulation, and other accessible components. Potential findings can range from relatively minor maintenance needs to moisture intrusion, electrical concerns, plumbing problems, structural deficiencies, or aging systems that may require further evaluation.
A home inspection isn’t a pass-or-fail test. Instead, it documents the property’s condition and explains the significance of identified concerns so buyers can decide what deserves attention.
The findings can also help buyers better understand future maintenance needs and potential expenses. Elite Inspections provides detailed reports with photos and videos, giving clients information they can reference after the inspection and throughout the decision-making process.
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take and When Will You Receive the Report?
The amount of time required for a home inspection depends on the property rather than a single fixed timeframe. Home size, age, condition, number of systems, accessibility, and the presence of additional inspection services can all influence how long the process takes.
A larger or older home may require additional time because there are more components to evaluate or conditions that deserve closer investigation. The goal shouldn’t be to complete the inspection as quickly as possible, but to provide enough time to thoroughly evaluate accessible areas and explain significant findings.
Elite Inspections emphasizes detailed evaluations and encourages clients to ask questions about what is discovered during the process. The company also guarantees that the completed home inspection report will be provided in less than 24 hours after the inspection.
That quick turnaround can be particularly helpful during a real estate transaction when buyers may be working within an inspection contingency or other deadline. The report provides photos, videos, descriptions, and findings that can be reviewed when determining the next steps.
Should You Attend Your Home Inspection?
Attending your home inspection can give you information that a written report alone may not fully communicate. Seeing important components firsthand allows you to better understand where problems are located, how different systems operate, and which findings may deserve additional attention.
Elite Inspections places an emphasis on explaining findings and answering questions during the inspection. This can be particularly useful for first-time buyers who may be unfamiliar with components such as electrical panels, HVAC equipment, plumbing shutoffs, attic spaces, foundations, and other major parts of a home.
You don’t necessarily need to follow the inspector through every portion of the property to benefit from attending. Being available for a walkthrough of significant findings can provide valuable context before reviewing the completed report.
Elite Inspections also encourages ongoing questions after the inspection through its follow-up support. Their reports are provided in less than 24 hours and include pictures and videos to help document conditions found during the evaluation.
Radon Testing
How Long Does a Professional Radon Test Take?
Elite Inspections performs a 48-hour radon test to check a property for elevated concentrations of radon gas. Because radon cannot be reliably detected by sight or smell, measurement is necessary to determine whether elevated levels are present inside a particular home.
The testing period is important because radon levels can fluctuate. A professional test collects measurements over time rather than relying on assumptions based on the home’s age, appearance, neighborhood, or whether another nearby property previously tested low.
For homebuyers, radon testing is often coordinated with the broader inspection process so results can be considered while evaluating the property. Scheduling the test promptly can be particularly important when the purchase agreement includes a limited inspection period.
Testing can also be useful for current homeowners who simply want additional information about their indoor environment.
A professional radon test provides an actual measurement for the property, allowing homeowners or buyers to determine whether additional action should be considered based on the results.
Can a Home Have High Radon Levels Even Without a Basement?
A basement isn’t required for radon to become a concern inside a home. Radon originates naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock and can enter buildings through openings and pathways between the structure and the ground.
Because of this, assumptions about a home’s construction shouldn’t replace actual testing. Properties with crawl spaces or slab-on-grade foundations can still have pathways that allow soil gases to enter the living environment.
The age and appearance of a property aren’t reliable indicators either. A newer home that appears well sealed can still have measurable radon, while an older property may test at a lower level. Conditions can also differ between nearby homes.
Elite Inspections offers professional 48-hour radon testing as a supplemental inspection service throughout the Greater Chicago area.
Testing the individual property provides much more useful information than trying to predict radon levels based on foundation style or neighboring properties. If you’re purchasing a home, adding radon testing to the inspection can provide another important piece of information about the property before closing.
What Should You Do if a Radon Test Comes Back High?
An elevated radon result doesn’t automatically mean you should walk away from a home purchase. Radon problems can often be addressed, but the test result should be taken seriously and the appropriate next steps should be determined based on the measured level and circumstances.
For buyers, an elevated result discovered during the inspection period provides information that can be discussed with their real estate and appropriate radon professionals. Depending on the situation, additional testing or evaluation for a mitigation system may be recommended.
The important point is not to ignore the result simply because the home otherwise appears to be in good condition. Radon is not something that can be accurately evaluated through an ordinary visual home inspection.
Elite Inspections offers a dedicated 48-hour radon test as a supplemental service for Greater Chicago properties.
Professional testing provides an objective measurement that can be used when determining whether further action is warranted. If mitigation is recommended, the system should be designed and installed by an appropriately qualified radon professional, followed by testing to confirm its effectiveness.
Sewer Survey
What Can a Sewer Camera Inspection Find?
A home’s main sewer line is largely hidden underground, making it difficult to evaluate during an ordinary visual inspection. A sewer camera survey provides a closer look inside the line to identify conditions that could otherwise remain undiscovered until drainage or backup problems develop.
Elite Inspections performs sewer surveys by sending a digital camera through the home’s clean-out toward the municipal sewer. The inspection is used to evaluate the integrity of the sewer line and look for possible clogging.
A camera inspection can provide useful information about visible conditions within accessible portions of the line and help determine whether additional evaluation or repair may be appropriate.
This can be particularly valuable during a home purchase because underground sewer problems may involve repairs that aren’t apparent when walking through the property.
A sewer survey should be considered separately from the standard home inspection because the interior of the buried sewer lateral isn’t normally visible. Adding a camera inspection gives buyers another opportunity to understand the condition of a component that can be difficult to evaluate from above ground.
Should You Get a Sewer Scope Before Buying an Older Home?
Older homes can be good candidates for a sewer camera inspection because the buried line may have been in service for decades. Even when the rest of the property has been renovated, portions of the underground sewer system may still be older.
A sewer survey can provide information about the condition of the accessible line before you take ownership. This can be useful when evaluating a property because sewer problems aren’t always visible elsewhere in the home.
Elite Inspections performs sewer surveys by inserting a digital camera through the home’s clean-out and examining the line toward the city sewer. The purpose is to evaluate the sewer line’s integrity and identify possible clogging.
Age alone doesn’t mean a sewer line has failed, and newer properties aren’t automatically free from sewer concerns. The advantage of a scope is that it provides actual visual information rather than relying exclusively on the property’s age.
For buyers considering an older Chicago-area home, adding a sewer survey can provide a clearer understanding of a system that would otherwise remain largely inaccessible during the standard inspection.
Can a Sewer Line Have Problems Even if the Drains Are Working Normally?
Yes. Sinks, showers, and toilets may appear to drain normally even when a developing problem exists farther down the main sewer line. Some sewer conditions don’t immediately create a complete blockage, which means ordinary household plumbing can continue functioning while the underlying issue progresses.
This is one reason sewer surveys can be useful during a real estate inspection. Instead of waiting for slow drains, sewage backups, or other obvious symptoms, a camera can be used to visually evaluate accessible portions of the buried line.
Elite Inspections sends a digital camera from the home’s clean-out toward the municipal sewer to evaluate the integrity of the sewer line and identify possible clogging.
A sewer survey doesn’t mean that every line will have a significant defect. It simply provides additional information about a component that can’t normally be evaluated through a standard visual home inspection.
For buyers, knowing more about the sewer line before closing can help reduce uncertainty surrounding an important part of the property that may otherwise receive little attention during the purchasing process.
Thermal Imaging
What Can Thermal Imaging Detect During a Home Inspection?
Thermal imaging gives a home inspector another way to investigate conditions that may not be obvious during a standard visual inspection. Instead of seeing through walls, an infrared camera identifies differences in surface temperature that may indicate an area requiring closer evaluation.
During a home inspection, unusual thermal patterns can help identify possible moisture intrusion, missing or inadequate insulation, air leakage, and certain electrical concerns. Thermal imaging can also help an inspector investigate areas around ceilings, walls, windows, plumbing fixtures, and other locations where visible evidence of a problem may be limited.
Elite Inspections includes thermal imaging with every standard inspection, providing an additional diagnostic tool for evaluating the property.
A thermal anomaly does not automatically confirm that a defect exists. Temperature differences need to be interpreted alongside visual observations and other inspection findings. When something unusual is identified, additional investigation may be recommended to determine the underlying cause.
Using thermal imaging alongside a traditional inspection can provide a more complete picture of conditions within the home and help identify areas that deserve further attention.
Can a Thermal Camera Find Hidden Water Leaks?
Thermal imaging can help locate conditions associated with hidden moisture, but a thermal camera does not directly detect water. Instead, it measures surface temperatures. Moisture can sometimes cause an affected area to display a different temperature pattern than the surrounding building materials.
This can be useful when investigating suspected leaks around ceilings, walls, plumbing fixtures, roofs, windows, or other areas where water may travel before visible staining or damage becomes obvious.
Elite Inspections uses infrared thermal imaging to help identify possible moisture intrusion during its home inspections. When an unusual temperature pattern is discovered, the inspector can evaluate the surrounding area and determine whether additional investigation is appropriate.
Not every temperature difference indicates a leak. Air movement, insulation, sunlight, HVAC operation, and other conditions can also affect surface temperatures, which is why thermal images need to be interpreted in context.
Thermal imaging works best as an additional inspection tool rather than a replacement for visual evaluation. Used together with other inspection methods, it can help direct attention toward areas where concealed moisture may be present.
Can Thermal Imaging Identify Missing Insulation or Electrical Hot Spots?
Thermal imaging can help an inspector identify temperature patterns associated with missing insulation, air leakage, and certain electrical concerns. Because insulation is intended to reduce heat transfer, an area with insufficient or missing insulation may appear noticeably different from surrounding surfaces under suitable conditions.
Electrical components can also produce abnormal heat patterns when a problem is present. An unusually warm breaker, connection, or other accessible component may indicate a condition that deserves additional evaluation by a qualified electrician.
Elite Inspections uses thermal imaging during every standard home inspection to help investigate energy loss, moisture intrusion, electrical hot spots, and other conditions that may not be readily visible.
Infrared imaging should not be considered a standalone diagnosis. Temperature patterns can be influenced by weather, HVAC operation, sunlight, appliances, and other environmental conditions. An inspector evaluates thermal findings alongside the physical condition of the property before determining whether further investigation is warranted.
When used appropriately, thermal imaging provides another layer of information that can help identify areas homeowners or buyers may otherwise overlook.
