Inspections

Why Choose Eco Smart for Your Home Inspection in San Francisco

Eco Smart Builder has been serving San Francisco homeowners and buyers since 1998. As a dually licensed Class B General Contractor and C-39 Licensed Roofing Contractor — certified by both GAF and CertainTeed — we bring a unique perspective to property inspections that most inspection companies simply cannot match.

When your inspector is also a licensed contractor and roofer, you benefit in ways that go beyond a standard inspection report. We can identify not just what is wrong, but precisely what it will cost to repair it — and we can do the work ourselves. That means no second opinions, no contractor upsells, and no surprises.

Our San Francisco Inspection Services

Roof Inspections — As a C-39 licensed roofer, Eco Smart provides the most thorough roof inspections available in San Francisco. We evaluate roofing materials, flashing, drainage, penetrations, and structural decking for every roof type common in the Bay Area: flat TPO and modified bitumen systems, asphalt shingles, tile, metal, and copper. We identify leaks, aging materials, and code compliance issues, and we provide an Approximate Pricing for Repairs (APR) with every inspection.

Seismic & Earthquake Preparedness Inspections — San Francisco sits on one of the world’s most seismically active fault systems. Eco Smart evaluates cripple walls, foundation bolting, soft story concerns, chimney integrity, and water heater strapping. Our construction expertise means we can assess structural vulnerabilities that a non-contractor inspector may overlook.

Pre-Purchase Home Inspections — Before you commit to buying a San Francisco property, Eco Smart’s licensed inspectors evaluate the full structure from foundation to roof: framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, windows, and all interior systems. Our reports include photos and prioritized repair recommendations so you can negotiate with confidence.

Energy Efficiency Inspections — Eco Smart assesses your home’s insulation, air sealing, windows, and mechanical systems to identify opportunities to reduce energy costs and qualify for rebates. Many San Francisco homes, particularly those built before 1960, have significant room for improvement that pays for itself quickly.

The Eco Smart Advantage for SF Buyers and Owners

San Francisco’s housing stock is among the oldest and most architecturally varied in the country. Victorian and Edwardian homes, Edwardian flats, post-war Eichlers, hillside properties on pier-and-post foundations, and multi-unit soft story buildings each present distinct inspection challenges. An inspector who is also a licensed general contractor and roofer with 25+ years of experience working on these exact building types can identify problems and costs that generalist inspectors may miss or underestimate.

To schedule your inspection, call Eco Smart at (415) 295-6442 or use our Request Service form.

Your home or condominium might be the most expensive investment you will ever make.

When it comes to making confident decisions about your home — whether you’re buying, selling, planning energy efficiency upgrades, or replacing your roof — a thorough and reliable property inspection is essential.

At Eco Smart, we recommend having your home inspected at least once a year to stay ahead of potential issues. That’s why we’ve partnered with a trusted, highly experienced inspection team known for our quality work and attention to detail.

Think of it as a security blanket — one built on expert knowledge, advanced technology, and personalized service. Our comprehensive Construction Inspection services give you peace of mind with:

• Home Buyer Inspections

• Home Seller Inspections

• General Contractor Inspections

• Termite Inspections

• Home Energy Efficiency Inspections

• Fireplace Inspections

• Roof Inspections

• Earthquake Preparedness Inspections

• Mold Air Testing

• Asbestos Testing

• Lead Detection

You’ll receive a clear, independent, and unbiased assessment of any issues, along with practical solutions and recommendations tailored to your property.

What is a property inspection?

A Quality property inspection is a visual inspection of the structure and its components that documents all items that are not performing correctly or items that are unsafe based on existing conditions and code compliance. If issues or symptoms of an issue are identified, the home inspector will include a description of the problem/issue in a detailed written report and will recommend further evaluation or repair alternatives. Prior to closing escrow, you must consider whether or not repairs are needed now and who’s going to pay for them. Eco Smart’s custom APR’s (Approximate Pricing for Repairs), it is easy to understand fiscal implications and priorities in which repairs must be completed. We help you make the right decision at the time you need it the most. We also have multiple strategic partners that are Licensed Architects, Licensed General and Roofing Contractors so you will have a strategic advantage over disclosures presented to you at the time of transaction.

Why is it important to get a property inspected?

• Emotions are often high during a home buying process, making it difficult to imagine any complications with a prospective new home. A responsible buyer must have a property inspected to identify all of the problems possible with the building before moving forward with the costly transaction.

• Once your inspection is performed, do not wait for the agent to review the inspection and make a list of items you think the seller should address and present them to the agent in a timely manner, as most of the transactions have time windows attached to them.

• While the inspection is not meant to be a negotiating tool, in many cases, it becomes one, so having your inspection company recognized by the State of California as a Licensed General Contractor or having your inspection report approved by one helps you validate your findings.

• If you are a buyer, never rely on the seller’s inspection reports, as they could be biased or incomplete.

What should you not expect from a home inspection?

• A home inspection is not protection against future failures. Different issues arise over time; components like air conditioners and heat systems can and will break down. A home inspection attempts to reveal the condition of the components at the time the components are inspected. Always remember that your inspector is not in a position to open up walls or remove finishes. For protection from future failure, you may want to consider a home warranty.

• A home inspection is not an appraisal that determines the value of a home. Nor will a home inspector tell you if you should buy this home or what to pay for this home, as these questions are outside of the inspector’s scope.

• A home inspector will not pass or fail a house you are interested in as some homes are built before code revisions and are not obligated to comply with the current building code. California State Licensed home inspectors are required to point out any immediate safety concerns and report them to the seller and any realtors present, as this affects all parties. A home inspector thinks “safety,” not “code,” when performing a home inspection.