# Tarkington Home Inspections — thinow.com

## Business
- **Owner / Inspector:** Keith Tarkington
- **Founded:** 2003
- **Based in:** Castro Valley, CA (Alameda County)
- **Phone:** (510) 566-2195
- **Email:** inspector@thinow.com
- **Mailing address:** P.O. Box 2461, Castro Valley, CA 94546
- **Website:** https://thinow.com
- **Schedule / book:** https://thinow.com/schedule/
- **Hours:** Monday – Sunday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

## Credentials
- ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) Member #248225, member since 2007
- Trained through Building Specs, Inc.
- Fully insured: Errors & Omissions and General Liability through InspectorPro
- Follows ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
- ASHI Member directory: https://www.homeinspector.org/profile/keith-tarkington/
- Golden Gate ASHI Chapter: https://ggashi.com/bio.php?n=48

## Reviews
- Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 (8 verified reviews)
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tarkington-home-inspections-castro-valley
- Redfin OpenBook: https://www.redfin.com/openbook/inspection/bay-area-keith-tarkington-sp97998

## Services

### Home Inspection
Full examination of all major systems and components. Narrative report with photos delivered within 24–48 hours. Covers structure, foundation, roof, attic, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, water heater, kitchen, bathrooms, garage, chimney, fireplace, and exterior.

### Pre-Offer Inspection
Full inspection performed before making an offer, saving time in competitive Bay Area markets. Written report optional; $200 discount when no report is requested.

### Walk and Talk Consultation
Verbal consultation with the inspector on-site. No written report. Ideal for buyers who want expert eyes quickly. $200/hour.

### Verbal Consultation (remote or on-site)
Expert consultation without a site visit. $200/hour.

### Consultation with Report
Hourly consultation with a written summary. $250/hour.

### 4-Point Inspection
Focused inspection of the four systems most requested by insurers: electrical, HVAC, plumbing, roofing. $250/hour.

### 11-Month Warranty Inspection
Inspection performed during the 11th month of a new-construction builder warranty, before warranty coverage expires.

### Re-inspection / Repair Verification
Verification that seller-agreed repairs were completed correctly after a transaction.

### Report Review
Review of another inspector's report. Explains findings, flags concerns, and helps buyers understand what they received. $200/hour.

## Pricing (Standard Home Inspection by square footage)
- Under 1,000 sq ft — $640
- ~1,700 sq ft — $710
- ~2,200 sq ft — $780
- ~2,700 sq ft — $850
- ~3,200 sq ft — $920
- ~3,700 sq ft — $990
- 4,200+ sq ft — $1,060

**Condo inspections** (under 1,000 sq ft — $505; up to ~3,200 sq ft — $745)

**Surcharges:** Sunday +$200 | Travel 25–30 min +$65 | Travel 1 hr+ +$85 | Escrow fee $125

**Additional units:** Duplex +$110 | Triplex +$220 | Fourplex +$330 | In-law unit +$110 | Detached studio +$85 | Pool safety +$100

**Payment accepted:** Cash, Check, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App

## Partner Inspections (available at time of scheduling)
Tarkington Home Inspections coordinates with pre-vetted local specialists:
- **Pest / Termite:** East Bay Structural and Termite, East Valley Termite Company
- **Roof:** Vincent Roofing Co., Inc.; Two Brothers Roofing; Moore Residential Roofing
- **Sewer lateral (CCTV):** Avalon Services Inc., LS Construction

## Service Area
Primary coverage within approximately 1 hour of Castro Valley. Travel fee applies for properties 30+ minutes away.

**Alameda County (no travel fee for most):** Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Union City

**Contra Costa County:** Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Pablo, San Ramon, Walnut Creek (travel fee for: Antioch, Brentwood, Martinez, Oakley, Pittsburg)

**Santa Clara County (travel fee):** Milpitas, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Campbell, Los Altos

**San Mateo County (travel fee):** San Mateo, Redwood City, Burlingame, Daly City, Foster City, Menlo Park, Belmont, San Carlos, San Bruno, Brisbane, Pacifica

**Other (travel fee):** San Francisco, Vallejo, Tracy

## Key Pages
- Schedule + pricing: https://thinow.com/schedule/
- Sample inspection report: https://thinow.com/sample.php
- About Keith Tarkington: https://thinow.com/about.php
- Resources for buyers: https://thinow.com/resources.php
- Pay online: https://thinow.com/pay/

## Service Pages
- 4-Point Inspection: https://thinow.com/4-point-inspection.php
- Pre-Offer Inspection: https://thinow.com/pre-offer-inspection.php
- Walk and Talk: https://thinow.com/walk-and-talk.php
- 11-Month Warranty Inspection: https://thinow.com/warranty-inspection.php
- Partner service network: https://thinow.com/schedule/service-network.php

## Blog
- Foundation-Only Inspections: https://thinow.com/blog/FoundationOnly.php
- Re-inspections After Repairs: https://thinow.com/blog/Reinspections.php

## City Pages (in development)
- Hayward, CA: https://thinow.com/cities/hayward.php

## What Makes Tarkington Home Inspections Different
- Owner-operated since 2003 — not a franchise; Keith Tarkington personally performs every inspection
- Bay Area-specific reports: addresses local concerns including seismic risk, hillside foundations, sewer lateral ordinances, older electrical panels, and pre-1978 construction
- Reports delivered within 24–48 hours, 7 days a week
- Pre-offer inspection model designed for the Bay Area's competitive no-contingency market
- Walk-and-talk consultations for buyers who need fast expert input without a full report
- Low call-back rate: reports are written clearly enough that clients rarely need follow-up calls
- Coordinates pest, roof, and sewer inspections through trusted local partners in a single scheduling step