Welcome to Our Website Homepage

We hope it will be helpful in answering any questions you may have about our services.

Reports are computer generated and are usually e-mailed or faxed the same evening or early the next morning.

Over 14 years of experience inspecting homes.

Over 6000 homes inspected.

Over 24 years in residential construction industry.

Carbon Monoxide levels in the home, basement and heating system area will be evaluated at no extra charge.

Field Home Inspections is located in Chester, NH. We have been in business since 1997 and are a single-inspector company. The inspections are conducted by myself, the owner, Norman Field. The scheduling, phones and office duties are handled by my wife, Deborah. You will be dealing directly with two people who are very interested in keeping the customer satisfied.

I have been doing home inspections since 1990, previously working for a larger home inspection company. I am a graduate of the University of Georgia and began working in the residential building industry in 1981. My hands-on work experience has included concrete foundations, framing, finish carpentry, siding, roofing and renovations on both single family homes and condominiums.

I hold a current Massachusetts Construction Supervisor's License (Unrestricted) and have been a member of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) since 1996.

Roofs are obviously an important component of a home and I will make an honest effort to properly evaluate the roof. If the edge of the roof is lower than 2 1/2 stories I can usually walk the roof. Almost all roofs are at least partially walked unless they are covered with frost, ice or snow. Many roofs with snow will still be partially walked and I often clear the snow off a couple small spots to at least identify the type of roof, number of layers and possibly estimate its age.

Chimneys are another reason that I try to get on the roof. Although I usually cannot evaluate the condition of the entire length of the chimney flue, much can be gained from at least looking down the flue from the top of the chimney. Sometimes cracked liners, creosote, heavy soot, animal nests and other defects can be observed this way. The chimney's metal flashings can obviously also be better evaluated from the roof.

Crawl Spaces are another area of a home that can be difficult for many home inspectors. I am small and agile enough to enter and evaluate most crawl spaces. If I can physically fit into a crawl space I will usually enter it. This applies to attics also.

EXTERIOR including gutters, visible chimney, siding, trim windows, porches, decks, steps, driveway, walks, patios, garage, grading, surface drainage, retaining walls and fences.

FOUNDATION including walls, sills, floor framing, support columns, visible girders, water seepage, basement windows, and basement entry/exit areas.

CENTRAL HEATING / COOLING systems including their condition, operation and delivery (distribution) system, safety devices, fuel storage.

PLUMBING SYSTEM including visible supply and drain lines, fixtures, faucets, water heaters, and water pressure.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM including capacity size, main panel, subpanels, breakers, fuses, visible wiring and outlets.

INTERIOR including walls, ceilings, floors, stairways, doors, windows, screens, fireplaces, wood stoves.

MAJOR APPLIANCES including dishwasher, range, oven. Refrigerators are NOT inspected unless built-in.

My philosophy of home inspecting is simple:

1. Get to the areas that need to be inspected. That means making an honest effort to get on the roof, up into the attic, and into the basement crawl space (if there is one).

2. Know what I am looking at, and know what to look for when I get to those areas.

3. Clearly convey to the client what I have found.

It these three things are done well, a satisfied and enlightened client should be the result. I will also offer maintenance suggestions, offer cost estimates if I can and answer any questions that I can, either at the inspection or anytime after the inspection over the phone or via e-mail.

Another reason to choose Field Home Inspections is that we are an independent company, obligated only to you, our client. We will be objective, direct and honest.

Single Family

Mobile Home

Garden Style

Condex

Townhouse

Two Family

Three Family

Four Family

Five Family

$ 279.00

$ 259.00

$ 239.00

$ 259.00

$ 309.00

$ 339.00

$ 379.00

$ 419.00

Wood Boring Insects**

Water Quality

VA Water Test

FHA Water Test

Comprehensive Water

Radon Air

Double Radon Air

Radon Water

Arsenic in Water

Radon drop-off

$ 36.00

$ 90.00

$ 100.00

$ 120.00

$ 225.00

$ 40.00

$ 65.00

$ 55.00

$ 35.00

Additional Units - $40.00 / Per Unit

Additional Charge of $40.00 will be added if home is over 75 years old, $60.00 if older than 150 years, and $80.00 if older than 200 years.

*Optional prices given apply only if done with a home inspection. Otherwise prices are higher.

** Includes termites, carpenter ants and powder post beetles.

Inspection of Barns - $25 - $100 depending on size and age. Radon pick-up $35.00

Evaluation of problems such as roof leaks, ice damming, flashing leaks etc. - $50 - $75

Please call 1-603-887-3398 for more information or to schedule a home inspection with us.

Deborah Field will be happy to answer any questions she can or to assist you with scheduling an appointment.

A typical home inspection usually takes approximately 2 hours. Often it will take up to 2 hours and 30 minutes. Very old, very large or multi-family homes usually take longer. For example an old three family home may take 3 hours or 3 hours and 30 minutes. There is no time limit, but I almost never need more than 3 hours and 30 minutes. Garden Style Condos usually take just over an hour. Townhouse's usually take about an hour and 30 minutes. Mobile Homes typically take about 2 hours due to the crawl spaces.

Reports are usually e-mailed later that evening or first thing next morning. Reports can be faxed and/or mailed if requested. Some reports can be given on site, if few problems are found during the home inspection.

I really cannot answer that question definitively. My best guess is that it is because our overhead is lower than other companies. As a single-inspector company we can keep a pretty tight rein on expenses. Fortunately, we have not had to spend a lot of money on marketing. We have found word of mouth to be effective in helping our small company survive and thrive.

I have been inspecting homes for more than 14 years. I have inspected over 6000 homes.

As noted in the "ABOUT" section of this website: Roofs are obviously an important component of a home and I will make an honest effort to properly evaluate the roof. If the edge of the roof is lower than 2 1/2 stories I can usually walk the roof. Almost all roofs are at least partially walked unless they are covered with frost, ice or snow. Many roofs with snow will still be partially walked and I often clear the snow off a couple small spots to at least identify the type of roof, number of layers and possibly estimate its age. I would estimate that at about 90% of the homes that I inspect, I do walk the roof. Unfortunately, walking a snow covered roof may still not tell me very much about it and further evaluation of a snow covered roof when it is free of snow would likely be prudent.

Yes. I am also Licensed by the State of Massachusetts as a Home Inspector and Construction Supervisor.

No, but I would strongly urge you to attend the inspection if that is possible. Even if the home is in good condition I will try and give out some maintenance tips and practical advice to help you keep the home in good condition and hopefully further improve its condition. Whether the home is in good condition or needs a lot of work, I believe most prospective buyers are enlightened by being at the home inspection and are glad they attended it. For those out of state buyers or other buyers who cannot attend the inspection I will be happy to contact you by telephone the night of the inspection or the next day, if that is desired.

Yes. We carry both General Liability Insurance and Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions).

Mailing Address:	Field Home Inspections 90 Old Sandown Rd., Chester, NH 03036