Inspection Company North Royalton OH | Up Close Inspections | Cleveland & Lorain
Serving the Greater Cleveland Metro Area Email: [email protected] Phone: 440-865-0763

One of Metro Cleveland's Most Trusted Inspection Companies

Expert Residential & Commercial Inspections — serving North Royalton, Cleveland, Lorain, and all of Northeast Ohio.

More Than Just an Inspection

With every inspection, we perform we follow a strict code of ethics and exceed the standards of practice.

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Thorough, Readable Reports

Our reports include a clear annotations, a clean layout, easy to read with videos and images.

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Excellent Value

A home is a massive investment. This is why we offer the highest level of excellence and quality with every inspection we perform.

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James Crowton, Owner & Certified Master Inspector at Up Close Inspections
"Buying a property is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Our job is to help you fully understand that investment so you can move forward with confidence and make informed, wise decisions."

At Up Close Inspections, we are committed to serving you—the buyer.

With a background in the trades, we understand how homes are built and how they perform over time. We take pride in our knowledge, years of training, and real-world experience. What truly sets us apart is our standard of care. When we inspect your property, we inspect it at the same level we would for our own family.

We are thorough, detailed, and never rushed. Whether it takes a full morning or an entire afternoon, we take the time necessary to examine every property carefully—from top to bottom—with a fine-tooth comb.

A quality home inspection depends on experience and attention to detail. With Up Close Inspections, you're working with experienced Certified Master Inspectors who understand the significance of the commitment you're about to make—and take that responsibility seriously. You can verify our certification here.

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James Crowton Owner & Inspector Certified Master Inspector

Elevate Your Inspection Experience

At Up Close Inspections, we believe every inspection should provide more than a checklist. Our goal is to give you the knowledge, confidence, and clarity you need to make informed decisions about your investment.

  • Certified Master Inspectors — the highest designation in the industry
  • Thorough, readable reports with photos, videos, and color-coded severity
  • 24/7 online scheduling — book anytime at your convenience
  • Drone roof imaging included — safer and more thorough than ladders
  • Thermal imaging camera used on every inspection at no extra cost
  • 30-day warranty included with every completed inspection
  • Never rushed — we take as long as necessary to inspect every detail
Schedule Your Inspection Today
Up Close Inspections professional home inspection Northeast Ohio

Our Specialty Inspection Services

Residential home inspection North Royalton Ohio

Residential Inspections

We know that purchasing a home is one of the largest investments that you'll make throughout your lifetime. We take care to note every detail possible during the inspection process.

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Commercial property inspection Cleveland Ohio

Commercial Inspections

A commercial building inspection helps you identify potential problems before they become expensive repairs. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that your property is safe for tenants and visitors.

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Mold inspection and testing Ohio

Mold Inspection

While most types of mold aren't toxic, they can still cause health problems if they aren't taken care of. Ensure your home is free from toxic mold by having a professional inspector run some tests today.

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Radon testing North Royalton Ohio

Radon Testing

Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the US, and can be found in almost any home. Make sure you and your family are protected by getting your property inspected for safe levels of radon today.

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Sewer scope inspection Cleveland Ohio

Sewer Scope Inspection

Our Sewer Scope Inspection service provides a thorough evaluation of your property's sewer line using state-of-the-art equipment. Avoid costly and inconvenient repairs by scheduling today.

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New home phase inspection Northeast Ohio

New Home Phase Inspections

Our experienced inspectors will carefully examine every detail of the construction process, and provide you with a comprehensive report and the peace of mind you deserve.

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11th month warranty inspection Ohio

11th Month Warranty

This service is provided to new home buyers at the end of their first-year builder warranty period and is often referred to as an 11th month inspection or 1-year warranty inspection.

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HUD certification engineering manufactured home Ohio

HUD Certification Engineering

Our HUD-Certification Engineering Reports verify that the foundation of a manufactured or mobile home complies with the guidelines and standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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Our Inspections Include:

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Comprehensive Property Inspection

A thorough evaluation of the property's major systems and components, performed according to InterNACHI Standards of Practice.

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Photo-Rich Digital Report

Clear descriptions and photos of findings delivered within 24 hours, making it easy to understand the home's condition.

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Thermal Imaging Scan

Infrared technology is used during the inspection to help identify moisture intrusion, insulation deficiencies, and electrical concerns when conditions permit.

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Roof Inspection

Roof coverings, flashing, penetrations, drainage systems, and visible roof components are inspected, including drone imaging when appropriate.

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Post-Inspection Consultation

Questions don't stop when the inspection ends. You'll have direct access to James for clarification and guidance after reviewing your report.

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Home Maintenance Resources

Access to HomeBinder and maintenance recommendations to help you protect your investment after closing.

Ready to Book Your Inspection?

Schedule online 24/7 — no phone call required. Takes less than 2 minutes.

Schedule an Inspection

Inspection Tips & Resources

Roof inspection
Roof Inspection

Understanding Roof Deficiencies: What Every Homeowner Should Know

Common roofing issues found during inspections in Northeast Ohio — and how to spot them before they become expensive repairs.

James Crowton, CMI · 8 min read Read
Our Blog

Expert Tips from a Certified Master Inspector

James Crowton shares practical inspection knowledge — helping Northeast Ohio buyers, homeowners, and investors protect their properties.

Common roof deficiencies & warning signs
Ohio-specific maintenance guides
Buyer tips & radon & commercial guides

What Our Community Has to Say

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Google Reviews ★★★★★ 5.0 rating
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Bethany S.
March 2, 2024
★★★★★

"James was phenomenal. From his very prompt and friendly scheduling, to his services and knowledge at the home, James gave 10/10!!! His inspection report was very easy to understand. I liked how it had the summary at the top which included minor/diy repairs in green, moderate repairs & defects in yellow and serious/professional needed repairs & defects in red. Included was a Repair Request list that made my job SO MUCH easier. Just call him for your next inspection!"

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Sarah S.
February 1, 2024
★★★★★

"James communication, attention to detail, thoroughness, promptness, and friendly demeanor was so reassuring as we had our new build inspected. We were both floored with his level of inspection. He took his time, had extra equipment, kept everything clean, and talked us through everything. 12/10 and two thumbs up."

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Elizabeth N.
February 1, 2024
★★★★★

"We are so fortunate to have had James as our home inspector! He was extremely thorough. He uses many tools to enhance the visual inspection including a drone for the roof, voltage tester, infrared camera and others. He provided a very complete and easy to read report. We are extremely grateful to have had James' detailed information to help us make an informed decision."

KP
K20 P.
January 1, 2024
★★★★★

"Way to go James looked over the house as if it was his own home every nook and cranny with a keen eye. I went with the sewer scope, pest and home inspection — really reasonably priced. Also came with a book with how long appliances last as well as tips. James is probably one of the best options! Thank you so much James!"

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Shellakee T.
December 1, 2023
★★★★★

"James with Up Close Inspections did a phenomenal job with my home inspection. He is true to his word of providing a thorough inspection with a full written report with photos and videos. Since I wasn't able to attend the inspection in person, James offered to schedule time with me to discuss the inspection report for a complete personalized experience. I am most pleased with my experience with Up Close Inspections."

JM
Just M.
January 1, 2024
★★★★★

"A true professional! Great guy always there to help with the extra details that some people might say or think are small! James can spot the problem and give great cost efficient solutions! He is upright, fair, hard worker, & a talker lol!! So welcoming & warm presence! Will be my 1st call for all my home inspections. CALL HIM 1ST NOT LAST!"

Frequently Asked Questions

A home inspection includes checking for any structural issues such as foundation cracks, roof leaks, plumbing issues, electrical wiring, heating/cooling systems, insulation, windows, doors, chimneys, etc. Depending on how big the property is, a home inspection typically takes 2-3 hours.
Ensure all inspection points are free from clutter, including any closets that might lead to a crawlspace or attic, and clearing some space around your home's perimeter. It's also important to check the functionality of all built-in appliances, electric, and gas. If you don't plan to attend the inspection, make sure your inspector has access to the home, and all pets are properly contained or moved.
A home doesn't pass or fail an inspection. Instead, a home inspection is a thorough audit of your home's components. In most cases, there will be concerns marked on your home inspection report, but these are strictly informative.
While you can legally skip a home inspection in many cases, doing so could mean you may end up buying a home that has major issues that need to be fixed.
While a home inspector may recommend some minor repairs, they are not qualified to make major repairs. He or she can provide information about what needs to be repaired — and it might be helpful to know that information — but the decision to actually do the work lies solely with the homeowner. Not only does this give you the freedom to choose your contractors, but it also helps prevent a conflict of interest.
A home inspection can affect appraisals for two reasons: 1) The inspector may find something wrong with the property that would lower the value of the home, 2) The inspector may find things that need repair which could increase the value of the home. If the inspection finds issues that require repairs, then the seller has to decide whether they want to fix them themselves, or hire someone else to do it. If the buyer wants to purchase the home, he/she must be willing to pay for those repairs.
It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but if you desire you are more than welcome to attend. Generally we recommend that you show up at least an hour after the inspection has started. This ensures that the inspector has had time to do a preliminary inspection and will have matters to discuss with you when you arrive.
An inspection of a new property is important to help you spot any shortcuts the contractor or builder may have taken. A trained home inspector will be able to spot certain telltale signs that might otherwise go unnoticed to an untrained eye. Especially valuable is an inspection before the drywall is put up. This gives you the chance to identify and fix problems when they are much easier to spot and repair.
No house is perfect. This needs repeating, NO HOUSE IS PERFECT. If there are problems, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't buy the house. However, if there are major problems, you may want to go back to the seller to either get the problems corrected or to negotiate the contract price to reflect the inspector's findings.

Service Areas

We provide professional home inspections, helping homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate agents make informed decisions with confidence across Northeast Ohio.

  • North Royalton, OH
  • Cleveland & Greater Cleveland Area
  • Lorain County
  • Elyria & Surrounding Areas
  • Metro Cleveland & Surrounding Communities
Schedule Your Inspection Today