Hands-On Home Inspection
About us
We at Hands-On Home Inspection are American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) (249433) and Arizona State certified home inspection experts (AzBTR Firm #14898) who specialize in residential (including multi-family), small commercial, and industrial (up to 25,000 sq. ft.) inspections. We cover Southern Arizona (from Casa Grande to Nogales) and the greater Tucson metro area, including Pima, Pinal, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties, including the following areas: Marana, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Dove mountain, Vail, Casa Grande, Nogales, and the rest of Southern Arizona. Having lived and worked in this area for over 37 years, we are quite familiar with issues unique to homes in our part of the state. Our owner and Chief Inspector, Marcus Richter, has over 36 years of military service (Viet Nam Era and Iraqi Freedom Vet, Retired LtCol) and is experienced in residential home repair and building maintenance. His expertise includes plumbing and electrical wiring/analysis. Marc has a unique combination of experience in structural repair and maintenance— his wealth of knowledge is unprecedented! Your home is inspected by state certified home inspectors, using standards established by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the State of Arizona. Hands-On Home Inspection has a genuine interest in your safety and well-being. Our motto is “eye of the buyer”. Every home is inspected as though we are buying it. From top to bottom, we inspect the property for any existing or potential safety hazards that may exist, and report on them in a clear format. We also check for problems with the structural integrity of the property. We are “looking out for our customer's best interest”. We are committed to consumer education, we urge you to be present at the inspection, a valuable educational experience during which you can ask questions on the spot and have a better understanding of our report. We offer maintenance tips, and share knowledge of the home that gives you control, confidence, and peace of mind about your decision and negotiations. Whether you are buying or selling, knowing the condition of the property guarantees a fair, smooth transaction, especially with today's current high cost of real estate. Our advice does not end with the inspection; you are welcome to call us anytime after the inspection—we're available 7 days a week, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Hands-On Home Inspection will also conduct a re-inspection, for a discounted fee. We well understand that buying or marketing a property is one of the largest financial and emotional investments that you can make. Go to http://www.handsonhomeinspection.com for more information.
Business highlights
27 years of experience
Services we offer
We over Home and commercial property inspections. We also perform roof assessments, and mechanical equipment assessments., pool/spa inspections
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
Reviews
4.936 Reviews
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 97% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 3% |
Showing 1-25 of 36 reviews
Kevin M.
Jun 2016
Marc did an very thorough job of inspecting the home, the roof, foundation, etc... Marc pointed out many issues that I never would have caught and saved me from making a very costly mistake. The inspection report that he sent me was 61 pages long and color coded to let you know what needed to be addressed immediately and what could wait a while. I will gladly use Marc again for my next home inspection.
Shirley F.
Feb 2016
As always, Marc arrived on time and did an absolutely wonderful job for us. His report was 52 pages long and had many color pictures to illustrate the problems he saw. Again he color-coded his remarks so that we knew which items we needed to bring up to the seller for him to repair before closing. All critical items were repaired by the seller. Both of the real estate agents were impressed with Marc's thoroughness. I know who to call if I ever need another home inspection and I know that I would be happy to recommend him to anyone. He is the best!
Shirley F.
May 2015
OMG It took him two hours because he was that thorough! He arrived right on time and after taking care of the preliminary paperwork he went right to work. My husband followed him around for most of the inspection while he pointed out things that he felt needed to be addressed and while he took pictures of everything. Rick didn't go up on the roof or down in the crawlspace with Mark because he said old guys just don't do young guy things like that if they are smart. I think he just didn't want to meet any creepy crawlies in the crawlspace. Mark told us what things needed to be taken care of right away and said that he would email us the results by the next day. True to his word by noon the next day we had an email copy of the results (all 42 pages!) including 25 colored photos showing where things were damaged and needed repairing.
We showed the report to the lady that takes care of the RV park where we have been renting this home and she was very impressed with the inspection report as were we. The owner is now in the process of fixing the roof, the air conditioner and the water main, which were the three major items that Mark had mentioned that needed repairing before we purchased. Rick has done some of the minor items and will do some other things that need fixing later in the fall.
What we really like is how Mark prioritizes the items that he thinks need to be addressed immediately and the items that he thinks can be done at a later time.
Once the repairs have been done we will ask Mark to come back and re-inspect the roof and air conditioner to make sure everything has been done to his satisfaction before we end up closing on the house.
Rick and I both couldn't be happier with the results that we received from Mark and feel confident that we will enjoy many years in our new home knowing that it received a good inspection and report from Mark.
We showed the report to the lady that takes care of the RV park where we have been renting this home and she was very impressed with the inspection report as were we. The owner is now in the process of fixing the roof, the air conditioner and the water main, which were the three major items that Mark had mentioned that needed repairing before we purchased. Rick has done some of the minor items and will do some other things that need fixing later in the fall.
What we really like is how Mark prioritizes the items that he thinks need to be addressed immediately and the items that he thinks can be done at a later time.
Once the repairs have been done we will ask Mark to come back and re-inspect the roof and air conditioner to make sure everything has been done to his satisfaction before we end up closing on the house.
Rick and I both couldn't be happier with the results that we received from Mark and feel confident that we will enjoy many years in our new home knowing that it received a good inspection and report from Mark.
Eric D.
May 2015
unknown
Stella S.
Dec 2014
unknown
Susan H.
Nov 2014
We knew this house needed work, but weren't sure where to begin. The home inspection report helped set the priorities. As a result of this home inspection, the flat roof was resealed, gutters installed, back yard re-graded to address drainage issues and the air conditioner was replaced. The inspector also alerted us to water damage in the living room ceiling that had not been disclosed by previously. We've checked many problems off the list, but we still have some electrical work and plumbing work that needs to be done to bring things up to current construction standards.
Susan L.
Oct 2014
Can't compliment Marc enough. He is VERY knowledgeable and professional. He was great about allowing us to walk alongside while he investigated and explained what he was finding, good and not so good. He gave us tips about how to fix things and maintain things as we went. He had the tools for the job, like light, camera, air temperature gauge. From noting safety issues like a sink cabinet not secured to the wall to roof issues, to roof leak evidence to GFI functionality to code compliance like self closing door and fire barrier between house and attached garage, he was on it. He took pictures along the way and had the complete 50-page color-coded report in our email early the next morning. We used Marc on a previous house a month before and walked away from the house BECAUSE of Marc's findings. He saved us a lot of money and a lot of grief. We used him again on the house we purchased. Thank you Marc!
Gail H.
Oct 2014
He was wonderful! He was thorough and he gives you every bit of information that you need. When I needed more technical assessment from specialist he gave me referrals to other specialist . He was also very responsive. He's worth every penny.
Cathy S.
Sep 2014
I think he gave me like $60 discount because of the Angie’s List. HE said it would be the same price for the house I was going to, so I paid them the money for that and he said because my house is bigger; he would have to charge me more. It was that day, that moment on the spot so that was taken badly because I thought we had agreed to a price and but he said he would have to time for being out here and for doing this and this and it would take most of his day. I don’t know if that is fair business treatment either because when you are expecting a certain price, not everybody has the money there to give them more, you are talking about hundreds of dollars more, not twenty bucks or so, so that was a surprise. I would make sure that you are upfront and you hold to the price with him. He did what I thought was an excellent job until my real estate agent said, this is what other inspectors give us, because he gave me a notebook and it had pictures and tons of pages of detailed information. She said I would not use him to evaluate other people’s homes again. She felt that it wasn’t quite up to snuff. He was very pleasant, very nice, very qualified but might want to get more details especially for a first time home buyer. So I would take him back if I had to pay more.
Response from Hands-On Home Inspection
"The original price quote for the manufactured home was based on a double-wide manufactured home. When I arrived at the property, we found a large addition that was attached to the property. Total square footage was almost doubled, that is why we increased the price. She was also giving access to a PDF file on my website, not just an inspection report in a binder."
Eugene P.
Jun 2014
Great experience! Marc replied to the message promptly, scheduled the inspection within 2 days and showed up on time. Most importantly, Marc didn't just check the boxes but actively looked for problems (and found several) that we took back to the seller. I'm a real estate investor and have dealt with several inspectors and hands down Marc is the best one so far. Would definitely use him again.
Janet K.
Jun 2014
excellent job!
LaDonna G.
May 2014
The last time I bought a home, I used the home inspector recommend by my realtor who wasn't certified. There were a lot of things I discovered after I moved into the house that made me question his knowledge and professional judgment. So when I needed another home inspection I wanted someone who had my interests (the buyer) in mind and was certified. I found Hands-On home Inspection through Angie's List and like the reviews. I set up and confirmed the appointment through Angie's List. Marc showed up the day of the appointment and was even early! After completing paperwork and payment, Marc patiently inspected the house from top (roof) to bottom (foundation). My husband followed Marc around as he identified major and minor issues with the home and pool.
24 hour later I logged into a website to see a VERY comprehensive report. Marc color coded the report to show items that must be repaired in red, items recommended for repair in blue and items in good condition in green. The report was extremely detailed and very helpful to me as I requested repairs from the seller. I STRONGLY recommend Marc to anyone who is purchasing a house. You would benefit greatly from his knowledge and experience.
24 hour later I logged into a website to see a VERY comprehensive report. Marc color coded the report to show items that must be repaired in red, items recommended for repair in blue and items in good condition in green. The report was extremely detailed and very helpful to me as I requested repairs from the seller. I STRONGLY recommend Marc to anyone who is purchasing a house. You would benefit greatly from his knowledge and experience.
Sammy N.
May 2014
I am a physician who provides honorable and honest work to my patients without reservation. I wish I could say the same about this company. My opinion is with reservation towards this company. In my opinion I would consider other options.
I will never hire this company again.
I will never hire this company again.
Response from Hands-On Home Inspection
"This is a rebuttal to the "F" rating I received from [Member name removed]. This was the second house that [member name removed] had me inspect. They did not purchase the first house and had me inspect the second one. They also hired me back to do the re-inspection of repairs that were accomplished by the owner. About 45 days after the original inspection and three weeks after the re-inspection, the client heard water dripping on the ceiling in the kitchen, directly below the upstairs hall bathroom. [Member name removed] immediately called a plumber to investigate the problem. When the plumber removed part of the ceiling to find and fix the leak, they discovered mold and that the sewer pipe below the toilet had been poorly repaired previously. The owner of the house did not disclose on the Seller Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) that they had attempted to repair the plumbing below the hall toilet and/or that they had to access the area through the kitchen ceiling. During my two visits to perform my inspection and re-inspection, I did not notice any water stains on the ceiling, near the kitchen cabinets, or hear any water dripping on the ceiling. Knowing that this house had been vacant for a while, I flushed the upstairs toilet at least 5 times. Their daughter also was flushing the toilet during my first inspection. This is a true example about my statement to the clients, during the review of the contract, where I explain that I cannot see through the walls and floors. I can only report on what is on the surface. As stated in my contract: "Hands-On" does not evaluate or endorse any concealed areas or components, such as subterranean ducts, pipes, or conduits within walls, floors, or ceilings, obstructed switches and outlets, the slab beneath carpets, the interior of heat exchangers, air-conditioning coils and supply ducts, significant portions of chimney flues, and the waterproof membrane beneath roofs, balconies or shower pans."
Oliver S.
Feb 2014
Marc did a fantastic job going through all possible problem areas of the house. He identified issues where I would have never thought they might exist. He's a friendly person and explain everything patiently. I couldn't be happier with this home inspection!
Phyllis I.
Jan 2014
Mr. Richter was very professional and pleasant in his approach while performing the inspection. He arrived promptly and immediately began examining the property. He checked the outside thoroughly as well as the inside. He tested the plumbing fixtures, air conditioning, heating, and the structure of the home. We were very pleased with the service he provided us, and felt confident with the results he reported following the inspection. We would definitely recommend him to anyone in need of this service.
Patrick O.
Jan 2014
Great! From start to finish he was giving us valuable information about the home we put an offer on. He really spent time trying to educate us about all the pluses and issues with the house...really above and beyond what I remember getting 10 years ago from a different home inspection. Actually, his inspection and experience helped us to expand our vision a bit of the house and the potential...things we hadn't considered. I actually enjoyed the home inspection! We would highly recommend him. Very knowledgeable, professional, enthusiastic and eager to share information.
Kevin C.
Aug 2013
Marc Richter absolutely lived up to his top rating on Angie's List. If you're buying a home in Tucson and need it inspected, just call Marc. He arrived early and got to work immediately after explaining the whole home inspection process, which was very helpful. He suggested we go around with him, so he essentially narrated his inspection report, answering all our questions, as he did the inspection. Marc's thoroughness would be hard to exaggerate. He did not miss a centimeter, documenting every detail that needed tending, large or small, minor or urgent. Our house was in pretty good shape, it turns out. I can hardly imagine the list he would come up with for a house in poor condition! Marc did find a few critical issues, some that we will need to take care of fairly soon, others that can wait a little. He explained how to remedy everything he found and even provided references if we asked. In all, he spent well over two hours going over the house. His energy seemed boundless. I came close to needing a nap by the time he had finished! The very next day he emailed us a 48-page report, describing everything he found, indicating priorities by font color, and documenting everything with annotated photos. We'll be referring to this long into the future. Thanks to Marc, we feel we know our house thoroughly even before moving in. Best of all, he is willing to provide advice in the future as we deal with trades people and as new issues arise. i hardly need to add that he far exceeded our expectations.
Sara C.
Aug 2013
Very courteous and punctual. Upfront on all the details of the inspection and the cost. I would definately use him again or recommend him to others.
Marjorie G.
Jun 2013
I have had four inspections done in the Tucson area over the past few years and this is without a doubt the best of the bunch.
Marc arrived on time, did a marvelously thorough job and was neat as a pin in everything he did. He did an outstanding job of explaining everything he was inspecting while giving me helpful hints on routine maintenance. If I ever need another pre-purchase inspection (God forbid!) Hands-on Home Inspection is the only company I would call.
Marc arrived on time, did a marvelously thorough job and was neat as a pin in everything he did. He did an outstanding job of explaining everything he was inspecting while giving me helpful hints on routine maintenance. If I ever need another pre-purchase inspection (God forbid!) Hands-on Home Inspection is the only company I would call.
Mark Y.
May 2013
Punctual. Answered my questions well.
Sammy N.
May 2013
Excellent Job!
Ana R.
May 2013
A great experience overall. Our agent hadn't heard of him before but after seeing him work today she took his card and will start recommending him to other buyers. I am so glad I read the Angie's List reviews and picked this company. Highly recommended.
Michael M.
Apr 2013
Marc Richter followed though promptly exceeding my expectations in all categories. When I shared with the real estate agent that we had retained Hands On Home Inspection to perform our home inspection the initial comment was oh - okay have not heard of the company. The post inspection feedback from my realtor was - Wow this guy is awesome - I will recommend this company every chance I can. Marc clearly outlined what he would do and he did what he said he would do.
Paula L.
Jan 2013
He is exactly the home inspector we needed! Marc was thorough, professional, easy to talk to and incredibly informative . I found him on the American Society of Home Inspectors www.ashi.org and Angies list. My realtor and lender both had inspectors that they recommended however, I felt more comfortable chosing somebody who was not affiliated with them due to my own paranoia. I have no regrets and would recommend Marc to anybody!
Brad B.
Dec 2012
Marc came out for a home inspection on a house we are purchasing. He showed up well before the appointment time to inspect the exterior. When we showed up he already had a list of things to show us. Marc insisted that we follow him through the inspection which was great as it lead to learning a ton about the house and the repairs. This education alone was well worth the price. Marc systematically attacked each area of the house and had no fear of getting dirty or going into difficult areas to access. We went on the roof, in the crawl space, attic etc. My realtor was even so impressed with him that he will be using Marc in the future. Overall, Marc is a wealth of knowledge and came prepared with all the tools needed to thoroughly inspect a house. The report was sent the next day and contained 72 pages of documentation and pictures making the repair process very organized. Without hesitation I would use Marc again or recommend him.
Licensing
State Contractor License Requirements
All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our Find Licensing Requirements page.
*Contact business to see additional licenses.
FAQ
Hands-On Home Inspection is currently rated 4.9 overall out of 5.
Yes, Hands-On Home Inspection offers free project estimates.
No, Hands-On Home Inspection does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Hands-On Home Inspection does not offer a senior discount.
No, Hands-On Home Inspection does not offer emergency services.
No, Hands-On Home Inspection does not offer warranties.