Pre-Purchase HVAC Inspection: $89 Flat in the Piedmont NC
$89 flat fee. Full system test. Written report with photos within 24 hours. Designed to help you negotiate, not surprise you after closing. Across the Piedmont from Greensboro to Charlotte.
What's Included
A pre-purchase HVAC inspection from Davidson Heating and Air is a real diagnostic visit, not a quick walk-through. We test the system the same way we would test our own equipment, then deliver a written report you can hand directly to your agent.
Refrigerant pressure check on both sides of the system to spot leaks or undercharge. Capacitor microfarad reading on the run capacitor (the most common failure point). Amperage draw on the compressor and blower motor to see if either is working harder than it should. Temperature split across the evaporator coil to confirm the system is delivering rated capacity. Static pressure across the coil to identify airflow restrictions. Condensate drain test to confirm proper drainage. Electrical inspection at the disconnect box for safety issues. Visual inspection of accessible ductwork, the air handler cabinet, and the secondary drain pan.
If the home has a gas furnace, we add a heat exchanger inspection (a safety check for cracks that can release carbon monoxide), gas pressure verification, and ignition system test.
What You Get After the Visit
A written PDF report delivered within 24 hours. Photos of any issues we found, with arrows pointing to what matters. Dollar estimates for each repair or replacement we recommend, broken into urgent (do before closing), near-term (within first year of ownership), and watch-list (monitor and budget for).
A phone call to walk you through what we found and what it means for your offer. We will explain which findings are realistic asks for the seller and which are normal for a home of that age. We will not tell you what to offer, that is between you and your agent, but we will give you the technical picture you need to make the call.
If you decide to move forward and ever need work done on the system, we already know it. The inspection notes go into our system. There is no obligation to use us for the work, but it is there if you want it.
What It Costs and Why
$89 flat fee. No upsell, no add-ons, no service plan tied to the visit. The price is the price.
We charge $89 because the inspection is doing two things at once. It is helping you make a smarter purchase decision, and it is introducing us to a future homeowner in our service area. We can run that math even if you decide the system is solid and we never see you again. If we earn your business after you move in, that is the bonus.
Compare that to a standard diagnostic call ($110), which is for a system that is already broken in your own home. Pre-purchase pricing is lower because we are scheduling it during your due diligence period, with a known turnaround, on equipment that is currently working.
Service Area and Turnaround
We dispatch pre-purchase inspections across our full service area: Lexington, Thomasville, High Point, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Salisbury, Kannapolis, Concord, and Charlotte. If you are buying inside the I-85 corridor from Greensboro to Charlotte, we can be there.
Booking lead time during normal weeks is 1 to 3 business days. We try to schedule pre-purchase inspections within 48 hours because we know your due diligence clock is ticking. If you are working against a tight deadline, tell us when you call and we will do everything we can to fit you in.
The inspection itself takes 60 to 90 minutes on site. Multi-zone systems and dual-fuel setups take longer. Single-system homes are on the faster end.
How This Differs From a Home Inspection
A home inspector confirms the HVAC system produces cold air or warm air and that there is no obvious damage. They are not measuring anything. They are not pulling readings. They are checking that it works the day of the inspection.
We measure. The system can produce cold air and still be 18 months from a $4,000 compressor failure because the capacitor is reading 32 microfarads on a 45 microfarad capacitor. The system can be running on R-22 refrigerant that costs $200 a pound to recharge, with a slow leak you would never see at the showing. These are the things a measured inspection catches that a home inspection cannot.
Both inspections matter. Use a home inspector for the structure, electrical, plumbing, roof, and overall condition. Use an HVAC company for the HVAC. The two reports together give your agent everything they need to negotiate.
How to Schedule
Call us at the number on this page or use the estimate form on our home page. Tell the dispatcher this is a pre-purchase inspection. We will need the property address, your due diligence deadline, the seller agent's name (so we can coordinate access), and a contact number for the day of the visit.
We can deliver the report directly to you, to your buyer's agent, or to both. Most buyers want it copied to their agent so the negotiation conversation can start the moment the report arrives.
If the home is in our area and you are inside your due diligence window, do not wait. The longer you have the report in hand, the more leverage you have.
Related Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $89 fee really all I pay?
Yes. $89 flat for the inspection, the written report, the photos, and the follow-up phone call. There is no add-on, no upsell, and no obligation to use us for any work. If you want estimates for repairs or replacement based on what we find, those are separate and at your option.
How fast can you get out for a pre-purchase inspection?
We typically schedule within 48 hours during normal weeks. If your due diligence deadline is tight, tell us when you call and we will prioritize. The inspection takes 60 to 90 minutes on site and the written report is delivered within 24 hours after.
Can the seller refuse to let you inspect?
It is uncommon but possible. Your due diligence period typically gives you the right to bring inspectors. If the seller objects, your agent handles that conversation. We just need confirmed access on the day of the visit.
Do you inspect both the heating and cooling systems?
Yes. The inspection covers the cooling system (heat pump or AC) and the heating system (heat pump heat strips, gas furnace, or electric furnace). If the home has a backup gas furnace paired with a heat pump, we test both halves of the system.
What if the system is currently turned off when you arrive?
We can usually start it up if there is power and the thermostat is functional. If the system has been disconnected or there is a known issue keeping it from running, we will not be able to complete the full diagnostic. Let us know in advance if you suspect the system is offline.
Will my buyer's agent receive the report?
If you want them to, yes. We can email the PDF directly to you, to your agent, or to both. Most buyers ask us to copy the agent so negotiation can start as soon as the report is delivered.
Do you serve homes outside the Greensboro to Charlotte area?
Our service footprint runs the I-85 corridor: Greensboro, High Point, Thomasville, Lexington, Salisbury, Kannapolis, Concord, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem. If the home is in or near that footprint, we can dispatch. Outside that area, we will recommend a local independent HVAC company.
Talk to a Technician
Call Davidson Heating & Air at 336-357-5583. Serving homes and businesses since 1984.