Hi, I'm Charlie Bellefontaine, owner of Chicagoland Home Inspectors. Since 1993, we've been assisting families in making confident decisions about their homes. Boasting over 1,800 five-star reviews, we're proud to be the highest-rated home inspection company in Chicagoland. Here's why we're the best choice for your home inspection needs:
1. Thorough & Diligent Inspections
We take our time to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of your home. Our inspectors spend 3-5 hours on-site, depending on the size and condition of the home. On average, we document 70 issues per home, and our process is designed to significantly reduce the chances of missing problems. The bottom line is this: The faster you go, the more you miss.
That’s why we:
• Each Inspector performs only one inspection per day. (This is a big deal)
• Focus entirely on the house and our clients during the inspection.
• Write our reports off-site to ensure accuracy and attention to detail.
2. Advanced Tools & Technology
We use state-of-the-art equipment to provide the most accurate inspection possible. Our tools include:
• Thermal Imaging Cameras: To identify drafts, water intrusion, and heat flow issues in ducts.
• Moisture Meters: To detect moisture that could lead to mold or structural damage.
• Combustion Analyzers: To test furnaces for safe and efficient operation.
• Drones: As a backup for roof inspections when walking the roof isn’t safe or feasible.
While no inspection can guarantee that every issue will be found, our process significantly lowers the risk of missing problems.
3. Comprehensive Reports
Our goal is to create a long, accurate list of issues with clear explanations of:
• How serious the issue is.
• Options to correct the issue.
• How much of a priority the issue is to address.
Every report includes:
• High-Resolution Photos and Videos: To visually document the condition of the home. Our goal is to prove everything is in good shape, but if it’s not, we make it easy to identify problems and offer solutions.
• Zoom Consultation: A personalized session with another inspector to review the report in detail, discuss options, and show you how to use cost calculators for repairs.
• We Aim to Deliver Reports the Same Day: inspections in the morning, report writing in the afternoon, and delivery by evening. In rare cases, reports may be completed the next morning, and your inspector will let you know if that’s the case.
4. Proven Track Record
With over 1,800 5-star reviews, our reputation speaks for itself. Homebuyers, real estate agents, and sellers trust us to deliver honest, reliable, th and professional service.
Why Our Reviews Matter: We know that some inspectors purchase fake reviews to boost their ratings. We don’t condone this practice—it’s dishonest and unfair to clients. The only way to prove our reviews are real is to invite every client to leave a review. Here’s how we prove our reviews are genuine:
• We Invite Every Client to Leave a Review: After your inspection, we’ll ask you to share your experience. We don’t cherry-pick clients—everyone gets the same opportunity.
• No Discounts for Reviews: While we offer a photo upload discount (included in the prices above), we never offer discounts for reviews. Review sites frown on this practice and would penalize us.
• Confidence in Our Process: Angry clients would leave negative reviews if we didn’t deliver on our promises. The fact that we invite every client to review us—and still maintain over 1,800 5-star reviews—shows how confident we are in our people, our process, and our reports.
Step 1: Schedule Your Inspection
• Booking is easy! Click here to schedule: https://bit.ly/CHIsched
Confirm Your Appointment: After scheduling, you’ll need to sign the agreement and pay the initial inspection fee within the first two hours to confirm your appointment. Please do not make an appointment until the time is verified and confirmed with all parties involved. Why do we do this. We are in demand and our schedule is typically full. We have had cancellations at the last minute. This harms our inspectors, and our company. We want everyone involved to have some "skin in the game". We do have a cancellation policy explained below. We do enforce this policy.
Payment Options:
Preferred Methods: Zelle or Venmo (no fees for you or us).
Credit Cards: Accepted, but a 4% transaction fee will be added to cover processing costs.
We don’t want to pay these fees, and we don’t want you to pay them either. We encourage using Zelle or Venmo.
Cancellation Policy:
• Less than 48 hours notice: 50% of the inspection fee will be charged.
• Less than 24 hours notice: 100% of the inspection fee will be charged.
• Reminder: We’ll send you a confirmation and a reminder before your inspection.
Step 2: Thorough On-Site Inspection
• Our inspectors spend 3-5 hours on-site, depending on the size and condition of the home and your curiosity.
If there are a lot of issues, we want to stay and document them all.
If you want to discuss the issues, we will stay and answer your questions.
IMPORTANT: Do not let anyone rush you.
• We inspect all major systems and components, including:
-Roof, Attic, and Exterior: Shingles, flashing, gutters, siding, and drainage.
-Foundation and Structure: Cracks, settling, and structural integrity.
-Electrical Systems: Wiring, panels, outlets, and safety hazards.
-Plumbing Systems: Leaks, water pressure, and pipe condition.
-HVAC Systems: Heating, cooling, and ventilation efficiency.
-Interior: Floors, walls, ceilings, windows, and doors.
Step 3: Detailed Report & Consultation and Guidance
• Same-Day Delivery Goal: We aim to deliver your report the same day. Inspections are completed in the morning, reports are written in the afternoon, and delivered by evening. In rare cases, reports may be completed the next morning, and your inspector will let you know if that’s the case.
• Final Invoice: The final bill may change if, with your permission, we add or remove extra services during the inspection. A final invoice will be sent, and payment must be made before the report is released.
• Zoom Consultation: Schedule a personalized session with one of our inspectors to review the report, discuss findings, and answer your questions.
Prices are when included with a home inspection.
If you don’t feel we offer the best service for the price, please reach out to me. I want your business.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. We respect that, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. With Chicagoland Home Inspectors, you’re not just getting an inspection—you’re getting peace of mind. Let’s get it right—together.
We assume you are looking at other companies, so here is a chart that compares services and price.
There is a difference so ask if they use, or provide, what we do.
Again, we do want to work for you. We do feel we create the most detailed inspection reports and we have the best equipment that is used by skilled professionals who are committed and passionate about their work. We do not believe that just anyone can do this job properly. Which is why I personally approve every inspector who works under our name. I will not allow our reputation to be tarnished. We also provide the best warranties should that unpleasant surprise happen.
You, and your new home, are our only focus on your inspection day.
More equipment is used to be more definitive in our findings.
Photos prove our reviews are real.
We invite everyone to judge us. This proves our reviews are real.
Over 1,800 5 Star Reviews combined on all platforms.
We offer to review every report with clients over a Zoom session. A great way to get estimates and set priorities.
There is not an extra fee for this session.
My name is Charlie, and you can call (Option 3), or text, me at 224-332-2727 with any questions you might have. I never charge to talk on the phone. Even if you do not choose to hire us. I do whatever I can to help people buy their homes.
Charles (Charlie) Bellefontaine
Chicagoland Home Inspectors , Inc.
P.S. Whatever you choose to do, I’d like to gift you with a short eBook called Negotiating After the Home Inspection, hopefully it helps.
P.S.S. Listen to Charlie, and the team, on our radio show Saturday mornings 6 – 7 on WCPT 820.
We are usually able to include a budget figure for repairs and replacement cost using cost estimating calculators.