General Contractors Inspection

read moreGCIS is a building inspection firm specializing in building condition, construction and preservation. GCIS was founded in 1977, as the concept of Home Inspection was just emerging. At that time, it was rare for someone to hire a professional whose sole mission was to provide an unbiased evaluation of a property. Prior to that, buyers typically relied upon a contractor or friend with a little construction experience to help them avoid costly missteps, occasionally overlooking significant deficiencies that an experienced inspector would have pointed out.

read moreBelow you can download and review our standard contract and a sample inspection report in PDF format.

read moreWe review all of the visible and accessible parts of the home, which includes both the interior and exterior. Your inspector will provide you with an easy-to-understand written report following the inspection, with information on the foundation, structure, electrical system, plumbing and heating systems, roof and waterproofing systems. We strongly urge you to attend the inspection if you can. Doing so will enable you to better understand the outcome of the evaluation by watching the inspector go through each part of the house, and will prompt you to ask relevant questions that may arise.

read moreFor the purposes of inspection and evaluation, all buildings can be broken down into their component systems. This method of analysis helps to identify areas of concern and put them into perspective. The foundation will be checked for type and visible condition, including evidence of damage, deterioration or settling. The Bay Area has a lot of older homes, many with brick foundations that may need upgrades to address seismic safety. We are very familiar with older housing stock, and we can provide intelligent opinions and suggestions for improvements.