Beaufort is one of North Carolina’s oldest towns, and it shows in the best way: wooden homes along Front Street and Taylor’s Creek, many with plaques naming the original owner and the year they were built. Buying one also means buying a house that has been repaired, updated and added onto by many hands over many decades.
I’m Bastian Steuer, owner of 2theCore Home Inspections, an InterNACHI Certified Master Inspector (CMI) and North Carolina licensed home inspector #5461, based in Cape Carteret. Before I became a home inspector in 2022, I spent years remodeling homes in Eastern North Carolina, so I know what’s usually behind the walls of an older house. I do only one inspection per day, and you’re welcome to walk through it with me.
Historic homes: what I pay extra attention to
My job is to tell you what’s working, what needs attention, and what’s simply the character of an old house. In historic homes I look closely at:
- Foundations and piers. Many older homes sit on piers over a crawl space. I check for settling, shifted or deteriorated piers, and moisture damage or rot in sills, joists and beams.
- Electrical. Older homes can have outdated wiring mixed in with newer work. I look for wiring methods and panels that call for an electrician’s evaluation, and for amateur repairs.
- Plumbing and drain lines. Old drain piping and decades of patchwork are common. I check for leaks, poor slope and mixed materials.
- Additions and renovations. Where old meets new, such as an added kitchen, enclosed porch or converted attic, is where I most often find roof leaks, flashing problems and framing shortcuts.
- Windows, porches and woodwork. I look for rot, failing paint and loose railings.
If the home is in Beaufort’s local historic district, exterior repairs may need town approval first. It’s worth asking the Town of Beaufort before you plan any changes.
I also inspect newer homes outside downtown, waterfront homes, condos and townhomes.
Salt air, humidity and flood zones
Salt air from the inlet and the sound corrodes metal. I check outdoor HVAC units, exterior electrical equipment, fasteners, railings and flashing.
Humidity keeps crawl spaces under older homes damp, so I check moisture levels in the wood framing, vapor barriers, insulation and ductwork. A crawl space inspection is included with every home inspection at no extra cost.
Flood zones. Parts of Beaufort, especially near the water, sit in FEMA flood zones. I don’t determine flood zones, so check the flood map early. During the inspection I look for signs of past water intrusion and for drainage problems around the house.
Thermal imaging is included in every inspection and helps spot hidden moisture, missing insulation and overheating electrical parts in older homes.
What’s inspected
- Roof, gutters and downspouts
- Structure, foundation, piers and crawl space
- Exterior: siding, trim, windows, doors, porches and grading
- Plumbing, including the water heater
- Electrical system
- Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)
- Attic, insulation and ventilation
- Interior walls, ceilings, floors and stairs
- Fireplaces and chimneys
The inspection usually takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Older homes in poorer condition can take longer. Your digital report, with photos, plain-language descriptions and recommendations, is ready the same day.
Add-ons for Beaufort homes
Beaufort-area homes are a mix of town sewer and septic; your agent or the seller can tell you which one a home has.
- Sewer scope ($300): For homes on sewer, especially older ones, I strongly recommend having a camera run through the main sewer line to check for roots, cracks, breaks and blockages.
- Septic referral: For homes on septic, I recommend a septic inspection by a trusted septic inspector I work with. I can schedule it for you, and the septic inspector bills separately.
- Limited Mold Screening ($175): swab samples of visible mold, sent to a lab, with results in about 2 business days. I’m IAC2 certified for mold. Full Mold Testing ($450) adds air sampling.
- Radon testing ($199): a 24-hour minimum test with results right after. Also available as a standalone test for the same $199.
- Re-inspection ($175) to check repaired items.
Beaufort home inspection FAQ
Do you inspect historic homes in Beaufort? Yes. I look closely at piers, framing, wiring, plumbing and the places where additions meet the original house. I explain what’s normal for an older home and what needs attention, without unnecessary alarm.
Should I get a sewer scope on an older Beaufort home? If the home is on sewer, yes. A sewer scope ($300) shows the inside of the main line, where roots, cracks and breaks can’t be seen any other way. Beaufort-area homes are a mix of town sewer and septic, and for septic homes I recommend a septic inspection by a trusted septic inspector instead, billed separately.
Is a crawl space inspection included? Yes. Every home inspection includes the crawl space at no extra cost. If it can’t be entered safely, I use a crawlbot camera, and everything I find is documented with photos.
How much does an inspection cost? Residential inspections start at $475, adjusted for square footage, age and distance. The booking tool shows your exact price before you book.
Book your Beaufort home inspection
Choose your inspection and add-ons in our online booking tool, see your total right away, sign electronically and pay securely online. Questions about an older home? Call Bastian at 740-919-1831 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.) or email bastian@2thecorellc.com.