Home Inspections in Edmonds & the Seattle North End
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“No pressure, just straight-up info.” — Andy Kelly
When you choose JDW Home Inspection, you gain invaluable insights designed for your peace of mind. We provide a detailed digital report with photos and professional recommendations. You'll receive independent, unbiased information, no pressure or agenda, just honest facts. Our goal is to give you peace of mind, ensuring you're fully informed about your property's condition. Beyond the inspection, we also offer practical maintenance tips to guide your home ownership
Certified
As certified InterNACHI inspectors, we bring the highest standards of knowledge and professionalism to every inspection.
Trusted
Integrity is at the core of our business, ensuring you receive a fair and unbiased assessment every time.
Real Value
We offer comprehensive services at a fair and transparent price, ensuring you receive exceptional value for your investment.
Fast
We understand the pace of today’s real estate market, which is why we deliver high-quality inspection reports quickly.
Residential Home Inspections
A residential home inspection is a top-to-bottom visual evaluation of the property's accessible structures, systems, and components — from roof to foundation. I'll flag visible safety concerns, damaged or deteriorated components, improper installations, and anything that may need maintenance, repair, or a closer look from a specialist.
Reports are delivered electronically, usually within 24 hours.
- Buyer's inspections
- Seller's pre-listing inspections
- Home maintenance inspections
- Multi-family property inspections
- Townhouse and condominium inspections
- Manufactured home inspections
Depending on the property and what's accessible, a full inspection typically covers:
- Lots, grading, and drainage
- Exterior siding and trim
- Roofing and roof drainage
- Garages and carports
- Structural components
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing systems
- Heating and cooling systems, including thermal imaging to help verify proper ducting airflow
- Attics and insulation
- Crawlspaces and basements
- Fireplaces and wood-burning appliances
- Kitchens and installed appliances
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms and living areas
- Doors, windows, and interior finishes
A home inspection helps you:
- Spot visible safety concerns
- Understand the property's real condition
- Negotiate repairs or price with actual data behind you
- Plan ahead for maintenance, and know what to tackle first
- Avoid unpleasant financial surprises
Electrical safety concerns, plumbing leaks, moisture intrusion, foundation movement or cracking, aging or damaged roofing, heating and cooling deficiencies, inadequate attic ventilation, damaged crawlspace materials, improper drainage around the property.
What if you find a lot wrong with the house?
No home is perfect, and a long list doesn't mean you should walk away — or that it "failed." There's no pass or fail here. You'll get a clear report to help you request repairs, negotiate, or budget for what's ahead.
How long does it take?
Usually 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on the home's size, age, condition, and how accessible everything is.
Should I be there?
Not required, but I'd recommend it. You can ask questions on the spot, see findings firsthand, and pick up a few maintenance tips along the way.
What does it cost?
See the Pricing page for current rates.
Townhouse & Condominium Inspections
Townhouses and condos call for a different approach than a detached single-family home. The HOA may be responsible for shared or exterior components, but the owner is generally on the hook for everything inside the unit. That split varies by association, so it's worth reviewing your governing documents too.
Coverage depends on the unit's layout, HOA responsibilities, and accessibility, but generally includes:
- Interior electrical systems
- Interior plumbing systems
- Heating and cooling equipment
- Installed appliances
- Windows and doors
- Exhaust ventilation
- Interior finishes
- Accessible attic or crawlspace areas
- Visible portions of shared or exterior components
Outdated or problematic electrical equipment, plumbing leaks, moisture damage, damaged or failing appliances, improper exhaust ventilation, heating and cooling deficiencies, window seal failures, deferred interior maintenance.
A solid inspection helps you understand exactly what you're taking on — and avoid inheriting a defect nobody told you about.
New Construction Inspections
New doesn’t mean flawless. Installation defects, incomplete work, and damaged components can slip through even on a brand-new build.
A lot of hands touch a home during construction. Municipal inspections check for code compliance — they don't catch every workmanship issue or unfinished item. An independent inspection gives you another set of eyes before you take ownership, or before the builder's warranty runs out.
Pre-Drywall Inspection — Done before insulation and drywall cover up the framing, wiring, plumbing, and ductwork — while it’s still visible.
Final New Construction Inspection — Done near completion, before closing, to catch visible defects, incomplete work, damaged materials, and systems that aren’t working right.
11-Month Warranty Inspection — Done near the end of your builder’s first-year warranty to document defects and anything that might qualify for correction.
Inoperative electrical components, disconnected or damaged ductwork, incomplete roof flashing or penetrations, improper grading and drainage, loose or incomplete plumbing fixtures, missing or displaced insulation, damaged siding or roofing materials, cracked concrete flatwork, incomplete interior finishes.
- Catch defects before drywall goes up or before closing
- Hand the builder an organized, documented repair list
- Confirm accessible systems actually work
- Get real use out of your warranty before it expires
Get $50 off an 11-month warranty inspection when I performed your original final new construction inspection.
My house is brand new — why would it need an inspection?
New doesn’t mean flawless. Municipal inspections only check for code compliance, not workmanship — issues and incomplete items can still slip through.
Will the builder actually fix what’s in the report?
That's up to the builder, and depends on your purchase agreement and warranty terms. The report gives you clear documentation to make your case.
When should I schedule each type?
Pre-drywall: once framing, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work is in, but before insulation and drywall go up. Final: once construction is substantially done and utilities are live — ideally before your final walkthrough.
What's the 11-month warranty inspection about?
Most builders offer a one-year warranty. This catches visible defects before that window closes, so you've got an organized report to hand the builder.
Reinspection & Repair Verification
Once repairs are identified, a reinspection lets you confirm the work was actually completed before you close or release repair funds. This isn't a full re-inspection — it's a focused check on the specific items from the original report.
- Confirming repairs from a real estate transaction
- Verifying fixes after an 11-month warranty inspection
- Checking work completed after a specialized inspection
- Documenting repairs for your own records or insurance
No — just the specific items from the prior report, unless you want a broader look.
See the Pricing page for current rates.
Commercial Property Inspections
Commercial real estate is a serious financial commitment. My commercial inspections give you a clear read on the visible condition of the building's key components, so you can evaluate risk with real information.
Roofing, exterior walls and cladding, site drainage, structural components, electrical systems, plumbing systems, heating and cooling systems, interior areas, accessible life safety components, deferred maintenance concerns.
Structural movement, moisture intrusion, aging electrical equipment, HVAC systems nearing the end of their expected life, flat roof drainage or leakage concerns, plumbing deficiencies, deferred maintenance, damaged exterior components.
- Better-informed investment decisions
- Stronger negotiating position
- Smarter capital improvement planning
- Clear identification of safety concerns
- A scope tailored to your property
- Detailed digital reporting
What kinds of properties do you inspect?
Office buildings, retail spaces, small shopping centers, multi-family properties, mixed-use buildings, light industrial properties. Reach out to talk through the property and confirm it's a fit.
How long does it take?
Depends on size, age, occupancy, and complexity — a small space might take a few hours; a larger property could need a full day or more than one visit.
Do you include repair cost estimates?
No — for exact numbers, you'll want a contractor who knows the property type and local pricing.
What does it cost?
Pricing is scoped project by project. Reach out with the property details for a quote.
Manufactured Home Inspections
Manufactured homes have construction and support systems that differ from a typical site-built house. I evaluate accessible components throughout the home, including the features specific to manufactured housing.
Areas Evaluated
Roofing and exterior siding, interior systems and finishes, marriage line connections, visible chassis components, piers and supports, tie-downs and anchoring, skirting and ventilation, crawlspace conditions, plumbing and belly wrap materials, attached structures.
Common Findings
Marriage line separation, moisture beneath the home, loose, damaged, or incomplete tie-downs, polybutylene plumbing, damaged belly wrap, unlevel or damaged supports, inadequate skirting ventilation, improperly supported additions.
Why It Helps
- Spot safety concerns specific to manufactured housing
- Understand tie-down, pier, and marriage line condition before you buy
- Prioritize repairs and maintenance
- Avoid surprises unique to this type of home
Manufactured Home Foundation Certificates
Some lenders require an engineer's certification confirming that a manufactured home's foundation meets HUD's permanent foundation guidelines. I handle the on-site data collection and work with a licensed engineering partner, who reviews everything and issues the stamped certification if the installation qualifies.
- Purchasing a manufactured home
- Refinancing a manufactured home
- Using FHA, VA, or certain conventional financing
- Completing a transaction that requires engineering documentation
Lender requirements vary — confirm exactly what’s needed with your lender before scheduling.
Missing or loose tie-downs, inadequate pier support, missing vapor barriers, improperly supported attached structures, remaining transportation components, foundation or anchoring deficiencies.
- Engineer-reviewed documentation
- Clear read on visible compliance concerns
- Evaluation of attached structures
- Guidance if repairs or retrofits are needed
- Support for financing and closing
Are you the one issuing the certification?
No. I handle the on-site inspection and data collection; my licensed engineering partner makes the certification call and issues the stamped documents.
What if the foundation doesn't qualify?
The engineering report will spell out what needs fixing before certification can be issued. A follow-up visit may be needed once that work's done.
How long does the whole process take?
Once field data is collected, it goes to the engineering firm for review — typically three to five business days, though it can vary.
Do attached decks or additions matter?
Yes — decks, carports, porches, garages, and additions may need their own evaluation to see if they’re independently supported.
What does it cost?
See the Pricing page for current rates.
Specialized Inspections & Walk-and-Talk Consultations
You don't always need a full inspection. Specialized inspections give you a limited, focused look at one system or concern. Useful for homeowners, investors, property managers, or buyers who just need a piece of information before making an offer.
Foundation cracks or settlement, roofing damage or active leakage, attic ventilation and insulation, crawlspace moisture, standing water or drainage concerns, deck safety, exterior siding and cladding, plumbing leaks, individual building systems.
- A focused look at exactly what's worrying you
- Lower cost than a full inspection
- Straightforward, unbiased observations
- Written documentation when included in the service
- Practical next steps
A Walk and Talk is a quick, informal walkthrough built for buyers in a competitive market who need to move fast. I'll walk the property with you and talk through the major visible concerns on the spot. It's not a substitute for a full inspection, and there's no written report.
Do these turn into a full inspection if you find more?
If bigger concerns come up on-site, we can talk about expanding the scope — I'll walk you through any added time or cost before moving forward.
Do I get a written report?
Written reporting is available for many specific-component inspections — I'll confirm the format before we schedule.
What does it cost?
See the Pricing page for current rates.
Get Started with Your Home Inspection
You can book your inspection online in about a minute. Any questions, call (425) 773-2733.