Aloha Mai!
Welcome to Building Specs Hawai'i

Providing Property Education To Make Informed Decisions

At Building Specs Hawai‘i, we perform professional home inspections on everything from quaint studio apartments to expansive commercial properties.

Our certified inspectors are prepared to handle all of your property inspection requests while providing you with the best services and information. Our in-person or virtual summaries allow for a detailed presentation of pertinent findings while giving clients the important opportunity to ask questions and enhance their understandings. Prioritized reports are released on the same day as your scheduled inspection.

ABOUT US

Building Specs Hawai’i is a locally owned and operated premiere home inspection company on the island of O’ahu. Officially established in 2000 by general contractor Barry Wong, Building Specs Hawai’i is one of the oldest and most experienced active inspection companies in the islands.

For over 20 years, we have proudly provided quality home inspection services throughout Hawai‘i. Our dedicated and talented team is eager and ready to service your specific home inspection needs.

INSPECTION SERVICES

We specialize in residential, commercial and high risk component inspections. 

A home inspection is a visual evaluation of the basic structure, foundation, interior, exterior, roof, electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling systems of a home or property.

Residential

Includes hotel rooms, studio apartments, condominiums, townhouses, single family homes, multigenerational homes, accessory dwelling units and properties with multiple dwellings.

Commercial

Includes office spaces, retail stores, professional kitchens, restaurants, condominiums, schools, golf courses, buildings, churches, flex spaces, warehouses and more.

High Risk Component

Designed for associations and building managers to address components that may pose a particular risk of damage to surrounding units or common elements if not properly inspected, maintained, repaired and/or replaced.

MEET THE TEAM

WHY
CHOOSE US

Did you know that in Hawai’i there are 100s of home inspectors to choose from but that only a handful are ASHI certified?  In fact, as of July 2022 there are only 10 ASHI certified inspectors in Hawai‘i and 3 of them are from Building Specs Hawai’i.  The reason this is so important is because Hawai‘i is a state that does not require home inspectors to be licensed by the state government.  While the state does not have a requirement to practice home inspections, all ASHI members subscribe to the ASHI Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics.  This ensures that your home inspection will be conducted to the highest industry standards regardless of the lack of state regulations.  The reason so few inspectors are ASHI certified in Hawai’i is because achieving certification is difficult due to the experience required and the proctored examination.  Below is a quick breakdown of the main differences between the two largest certification agencies for home inspectors ASHI and InterNachi:

ASHI:

  1. Must complete 250 fee paid inspections to be eligible for certification
  2. Must take a proctored exam at a testing site on island
  3. Must complete and pass a background check
  4. Paid membership fee required

InterNachi

  1. Must complete 4 online inspections designed by InterNachi
  2. Must complete and pass an online test, NOT proctored, on a personal computer
  3. Paid membership fee required

At Building Specs Hawai‘i, we require that our inspectors complete six months of an apprenticeship training program in addition to becoming InterNachi certified.  Our inspectors are then required to meet all criteria for ASHI certification at which point they must test and become certified to the highest industry standards.  Our company follows protocols and standards set by ASHI which developed the first Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics in the United States and are widely respected.  This ensures that the homebuyer will receive a quality inspection across the nation regardless of local ordinance. 

Building Specs Hawai‘i has been in operation for over 20 years.  We have developed a reputation for being a thorough and professional company.  Our building inspection team is equipped to provide inspection services on the quaintest studio apartment to the largest commercial project.  Our highly trained team can expedite the inspection process of a larger property through coordinated efforts.  Building Specs Hawai‘i is certified to the highest industry standards.  Our team goes through a detailed training process with yearly continued education courses and quarterly training programs in order to stay in the forefront of the home inspection industry.  We utilize the tools and equipment that exceed these industry standards from surface moisture meters to thermal imaging cameras to synced Ipad’s for completing quality work in a timely manner.  We are prepared to handle all of your home inspection needs and have the experience to provide you with the best services possible.

Building Specs Hawai‘i was founded by O’ahu born resident Barry Wong in 2000.  It is now owned and operated by native born and raised O’ahu resident Jesse K. Maka’ina’i III.  In addition, our entire inspection team and staff are born and raised in Hawai’i.  This means that our inspectors have grown up in the homes that they are now inspecting.  Being from Hawai‘i gives our inspectors an additional understanding of the types of conditions that they may encounter based on the environment as well as the typical construction materials utilized in Hawai‘i builds.  Choosing to work with a local business is also a way for you to personally support and invest in long time members of our community.

Our inspection team has long been referred to as being the most thorough inspection team in the islands.  We take great pride in having that reputation and constantly work to stay on top of any new information, technology, trainings and equipment.  From scheduling through report assistance, our team treats everyone we encounter through the process from agents, to clients, to transaction managers, to home owners and tenants with great respect.  We are professional in all our affairs and have highly trained inspectors who will deliver materials in an organized, informative and understandable way.  Our reports are processed and prepared the same day as the inspection occurs, so you can expect to see your final report in your inbox before the end of the day.

Buying a home, especially in Hawai‘i, is likely to be your biggest lifetime investment.  With the median price of single family homes on O’ahu exceeding $1,000,000, having a Building Specs Hawai‘i home inspection performed on your property is essential.  Our inspectors are trained to assess your potential property and to provide you with detailed information in relatable ways.  Our prioritized reports will provide you with a valuable tool to understanding your potential property and to making the best decision for yourself and family.  With such a huge investment at stake, you want to be confident that your inspection is being performed to the highest industry standards, with the best equipment available and by a trained, experienced and professional inspector.  We are Building Specs Hawai‘i and it is our pleasure to work with you. 

WHEN SHOULD I GET A HOME INSPECTION?

Home inspections are most frequently utilized in real estate transactions as a part of the J-1 contingency, once escrow has been opened.  Through the process, prospective buyers learn about the home that they are preparing to purchase.  Our inspections can be utilized to facilitate additional escrow negotiations, as a form of education to better get to know a new property, to plan and budget for immediate or future repairs and home improvement projects and sometimes to help a client determine that a property just isn’t the right one.

Our home inspections are also utilized in the real estate market in pre-listings.  Here, sellers elect to have a home inspection conducted which may help in determining the best asking price for a property, in deciding on repairs to be made prior to going to market and in creating a disclosure to provide to interested buyers to help keep a property from falling out of escrow.  If you want a buyer to know upfront what they are preparing to purchase, a pre-listing home inspection with us is by far the best way to achieve this goal.

Our home inspections are also used by homeowners or families to address the condition of an owned property.  These inspections are often found helpful in addressing concerns and determining a priority list regarding home projects and renovations that should take precedent.  Often homes that have multiple interests involved, will have a home inspection to help all parties best understand what is happening with a property.

New build inspections are often utilized to ensure that a project has been completed appropriately.  Bringing in Building Specs Hawai‘i as an independent third party is a valuable way to ensure that all requirements have been met and to address those that perhaps have not been fully satisfied.   

Contract or maintenance inspections are often requested when lease agreements are involved.  When there are tenants in a residential or commercial space, these inspections can be helpful both before a lease is enacted to showcase the condition of a property at the time of signing as well as when a tenant is vacating to update the status of a property and determine if all agreements have been met regarding maintenance and care.   

High Risk Component Inspections (HRCIs) provide an opportunity to assess all units in a complex to better ensure that both residents and property are safe through identifying any major high risk component concerns.  It is an important way to keep up to date on each individual unit while also providing the management, board and residents with valuable information.  HRCIs can be personalized to meet the specific needs of your building and board. HRCIs include an expeditious custom report with pictures and comments identifying concerns in need of attention by location making it easier for service professionals or building maintenance to immediately and appropriately address.  HRCIs main areas of focus include electrical, plumbing and safety/hazard concerns.  These inspections are offered in accordance with Hawai‘i Revised Statutes 514B-138, which pertains to the upkeep of condominium, high risk components. 

OUR HAPPY CLIENTS

Scroll to Top