- Architect
- Vermont Integrated Architecture
- Builder
- Smith & McClain
- Landscape design
- Raycroft-Meyer
- Technology
- System Integrators
- Photo
- Ryan Bent
Home Technology Inspection
A home inspector checks the roof and the furnace. Nobody checks the keypads, the shades, or the network rack in the basement. We do, and you get a clear, prioritized report before closing.
Smart homes change hands every day. The technology is usually a mystery.
Sellers aren't sure what still works. Buyers don't know what they're inheriting, or what it will cost to bring up to date. The listing says "smart home," and nobody at the closing table can say what that means.
We've designed, installed, and supported these systems in Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire since 2003. We know what a healthy system looks like, which brands are still supported, and what it costs to fix the ones that aren't. That's what goes into your report.
Who it's for
Sellers
Know what works before the listing goes live. Fix the small things on your schedule, not the buyer's, and hand over a report that answers their questions before they ask.
Buyers
Find out what you're inheriting. Which systems work, which are near the end of their life, and what it will take to bring them up to date, all before you sign.
Realtors
Back up the smart home line in the listing with a third-party report. Technology questions get answered early, instead of stalling a deal in the last week.
Insurers
Independent documentation of the security, monitoring, and life safety systems in the home. What's installed, what's monitored, and whether it works today.
What we inspect
Eight systems, every room. We test each one the way the owner would use it, then look behind the walls at the equipment that runs it.
Lighting control
Keypads, dimmers, scenes, and processors. Does every button do what it says, and is the system still supported by its manufacturer?
Architectural lighting
Fixtures and drivers. Failed or flickering lights, mismatched color, and fixtures that are no longer made.
Motorized shading
Every shade runs, stops where it should, and responds to the control system. Batteries and power supplies included.
Whole-home audio and video
Speakers, TVs, sources, and remotes. Every room plays, every input works, and the equipment rack is in good health.
Networking
From the modem to every access point. Coverage, equipment age, firmware, and who holds the administrator login.
Security
Alarm panel, sensors, cameras, recording, and door locks. Whether the system is monitored, and whether the account can transfer.
Life safety
Smoke, carbon monoxide, heat, water, and freeze sensors. Whether they report to the panel, how old they are, and whether anyone gets the alert.
Climate control (thermostats only)
Are the thermostats true smart thermostats, do they work properly, and can they integrate with a control system like Control4 or Savant? That's the full scope. See below.
What we do not inspect
We inspect the technology that controls the home. We do not inspect the mechanical systems behind it.
HVAC and mechanical systems are outside our scope. That includes furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air handlers, ductwork, radiant heating, and water heaters. We do not evaluate their condition, safety, efficiency, or remaining life. Please have them evaluated by a licensed HVAC professional.
Our climate review covers the thermostats only. A thermostat that works tells you nothing about the equipment it controls.
This inspection is also not a substitute for a general home inspection. Electrical service, plumbing, roofing, and structure belong to your home inspector.
How it works
- 1
Book the inspection
Tell us the address, who you are in the transaction, and your closing date. We'll find a time that works before closing.
- 2
We walk the whole home
Every room, every system, and the equipment closets.
- 3
You get the report
A written report, ranked by priority, so you know what needs attention before closing and what can wait.
- Architect
- Birdseye
- Builder
- MTB Builders
- Interiors
- Brooke Michelsen Design
- Landscape
- RobitailleCurtis
- Technology
- System Integrators
- Photo
- System Integrators
Accounts and logins, sorted out
Many of these systems are registered to the seller's email. Alarm monitoring, camera apps, the network, and the control system all have accounts that need to change hands. We list every one, so the new owner isn't locked out of their own house on move-in day.
Pricing
One flat fee covers most homes, including the walkthrough, the testing, and the written report.
Homes up to 5,000 sq ft
$1,160
Within 90 minutes of Williston, Vermont.
Homes 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft
$2,160
Within 90 minutes of Williston, Vermont.
Homes 10,000 to 25,000 sq ft
$3,160
Within 90 minutes of Williston, Vermont.
Larger homes or longer drives
Case by case
Homes over 25,000 sq ft, or more than 90 minutes from Williston. Tell us about the property and we'll send a price.
100 percent of the fee is credited toward future work in the home, including:
- Programming to transfer the systems from the prior owner to the new owner
- An update so the systems match the way you'll live in the home day to day
- Upgrades like better network coverage, new TVs, and anything else the house needs to feel like home
Common questions
Do you inspect systems another company installed?
Yes. Most of the homes we inspect were built by someone else. We work with every major control, lighting, and security platform, and we'll tell you plainly when a system is past the point of support.
Do you inspect the furnace, boiler, or heat pump?
No. Our climate review covers the thermostats only. HVAC and mechanical equipment should be evaluated by a licensed HVAC professional.
Does this replace a home inspection?
No. A general home inspection covers the structure, roof, electrical service, plumbing, and mechanical systems. Ours covers the technology. Most buyers book both.
Do we need the system passwords?
They help. If the seller can share logins for the control system, network, alarm, and cameras, we can test more deeply. If not, we'll note what we couldn't reach.
Can you fix what you find?
We can, and the full inspection fee is credited toward that work. There's no obligation. The report stands on its own, whoever does the work.
Where do you work?
Within 90 minutes of Williston, Vermont, which covers most of northern and central Vermont. Longer drives are possible, on a case-by-case basis.
Request an Inspection
A few details and we'll be in touch to schedule. Questions first? Call 802-735-1400.
Questions before you book?
Call 802-735-1400 or email contact@sivermont.com, and we'll walk you through it.
