The Local Team of Home Inspectors Columbia Trusts

The ZIP Codes in Columbia, SC we service:

29045, 29061, 29063, 29201, 29202, 29203, 29204, 29205, 29206, 29207, 29208, 29209, 29210, 29211, 29212, 29214, 29215, 29216, 29217, 29218, 29219, 29220, 29221, 29222, 29223, 29224, 29225, 29226, 29227, 29228, 29229, 29230, 29240, 29250, 29260, 29290, and 29292​

Columbia, SC, is a city brimming with culture, history, and endless activities to enjoy. Here are some awesome facts and specific things to do and see in Columbia, complete with street addresses to guide your explorations:

South Carolina State House: Located at 1100 Gervais St, the State House is not only a functioning government building but also a historical site with a beautiful public garden. Free tours are available, allowing visitors to learn about the state's history and the architecture of this magnificent building.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden: Situated at 500 Wildlife Pkwy, this zoo is home to over 2,000 animals and features a stunning botanical garden. The zoo offers a variety of experiences, from feeding giraffes to watching sea lion presentations, making it a perfect day out for families.

Columbia Museum of Art: Found at 1515 Main St, this museum showcases a diverse collection of American, European, and Asian art. With rotating exhibits and interactive installations, there's always something new to discover. The museum also hosts events and art classes for all ages.

Congaree National Park: Located about 20 miles southeast of Columbia, this national park (100 National Park Rd, Hopkins) is known for its towering hardwoods and scenic boardwalks. It's an excellent spot for hiking, bird watching, and kayaking, offering a tranquil escape into nature.

Soda City Market: Every Saturday, Main Street (from the 1500 block down to the 1200 block) transforms into a vibrant outdoor market featuring local artisans, farmers, and chefs. It's a fantastic place to sample local cuisine, shop for handmade goods, and enjoy live entertainment.

Historic Columbia: With various historic homes and sites around the city, such as the Robert Mills House (1616 Blanding St) and the Hampton-Preston Mansion (1615 Blanding St), Historic Columbia offers guided tours that dive into the city's rich past. These beautifully preserved sites offer a glimpse into the 19th century life.

Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park: This scenic park at 312 Laurel St offers paved trails along the Broad River, making it ideal for walking, running, and cycling. The park also features historical exhibits about the Columbia Canal, which played a crucial role in the city's early industrial history.

Five Points: An eclectic neighborhood known for its shopping, dining, and nightlife, Five Points is located at the intersection of Harden, Devine, and Santee streets. From vintage shops to lively bars and diverse restaurants, it's a hub of activity day or night.

The Nickelodeon: Located at 1607 Main St, "The Nick" is Columbia's only non-profit, art-house theater, showing independent, foreign, and documentary films. It's a cultural gem for film enthusiasts looking to experience cinema beyond mainstream offerings.

South Carolina Military Museum: Situated at 1225 Bluff Rd, this museum is one of the largest National Guard museums in the country. It offers an extensive collection of military artifacts, vehicles, and weapons, showcasing the state's military history from the colonial period to the present day.

These locations and activities only scratch the surface of what Columbia, SC, has to offer. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, art enthusiast, or foodie, Columbia provides a rich tapestry of experiences waiting to be explored.

You may be surprised to know that when building a home there are 3 separate inspections you should consider. The first of which is pre-drywall. This is, just as it sounds, an inspection of the home prior to the drywall being installed. A lot of potential issues can be found and resolved at this point.

The second inspection would take place when construction is complete and once you have completed your final or ‘blue tape’ walkthrough. This is your standard residential inspection. Even on newly constructed homes, many deficiencies are discovered from minor concerns to sometimes major, potential costly ones. While a new construction home may seem perfect, there are still potential problems that can arise. It is always a good idea to have a professional home inspector take a look at the property before finalizing the purchase.

The last type of inspection to consider is an 11th month/builder's warranty. Most homebuilders provide a one-year warranty on newly constructed homes. It is a good idea to consider having one more inspection around the 11th month. You can make a list of concerns to present to your inspector and in addition they will check hundreds of other components, systems and items and present you with a report you can take to your builder to be able to address any warranty related concerns.

A home inspector will examine the interior and exterior parts of your house, such as the foundation, structural components, roofing system, HVAC unit (heating/air conditioning), plumbing system and electrical installation. They'll then provide a written report with their findings.

Major items and systems checked include:

Heating system

Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)

Interior plumbing and electrical systems

Roof and rain gutters

Attic, including visible insulation

Walls

Ceilings

Floors

Windows and doors

Foundation

Basement/Crawlspace

Structural components

A home inspection in Columbia usually takes about two to three hours. The inspector will go through the property, checking for any structural damage, electrical problems, plumbing issues, and other potential problems. After the inspection is complete, the inspector will prepare a report detailing their findings. We do our best to provide our reports in a timely manner. The vast majority of our reports are delivered within 24 hours.

For us, home inspection fees vary based on the size of the home only. We do not charge extra for location, foundation type, age, etc. 

Typically, a home inspection costs between $375 to $575 on average. Our starting price for a home inspection in the Carolinas is $375 for any home/apartment 1000 sq. ft. or less. We offer a convenient calculator to take the guesswork out of the pricing above 1,000 sq.ft.

We also offer several types of discounts if you qualify.

Although you are not required to attend the home inspection, it is strongly recommended that you do. This is your opportunity to see the home through the eyes of a trained professional. The post-inspection briefing we provide you and your agent is a great opportunity to learn more about the property you are interested in and to ask any questions you may have. Plus, the inspector will be able to point out any potential problems that you may not have noticed.

If you are unable to attend, your inspector is available to discuss their findings with you over the phone prior to or after receiving your report.

No, this is not a pass/fail process. Your detailed report will present all the findings from the home inspection process. While the number of deficiencies can vary from home to home, a house never passes or fails.

The facts are presented to you as our client to help you make informed decisions and to work with your real estate professional on the best way to proceed based on the inspection.

Yes, you can pay for your home inspection services at closing using the FlexFund Program. This option, offered by Bannon Home Inspections, allows you to defer payment until closing. This program is designed for those who prefer not to incur large expenses or use their credit card during the home-buying process.