Bethany Home Inspector for New Builds & Smart Buyers
Bethany is one of the Portland metro's fastest-growing neighborhoods. New construction is everywhere. So are the defects builders leave behind. I'm Russ Motyko, a Certified Master Inspector® with 12+ years building homes. I know what shortcuts look like because I've seen them from both sides.
Why Bethany Buyers Choose Trusted
New Build Doesn't Mean No Problems
Bethany has seen a wave of new construction over the past decade. Summercrest, Bethany Village, the Rock Creek corridor, the Juel Park area. Beautiful homes. And, regularly, avoidable defects that buyers close on without knowing.
Code inspectors work for the jurisdiction, not for you. They check minimum compliance, and they're not there for your walkthrough. A pre-closing buyer's inspection by a Certified Master Inspector® with a contractor's eye is the only independent review you get.
I've been building homes since before I started inspecting them. I know what "done right" looks like, and I know the shortcuts builders take when timelines are tight.
Learn About New Construction Inspections →- Improper grading that directs surface water toward the foundation instead of away from it
- Bathroom exhaust fans venting into attic space, creating moisture and potential mold conditions
- Missing attic insulation baffles blocking ventilation and reducing energy efficiency
- Flashing errors at windows, rooflines, and penetrations that will cause water intrusion
- HVAC installation deficiencies including ductwork gaps and improperly sized returns
- Double-tapped breakers and panel wiring issues missed by electrical sub-contractors
- Crawlspace vapor barrier gaps and drainage grading issues specific to Bethany's soil profile
Your Builder's Warranty Expires in 12 Months. Use It.
Most builders in the Bethany area provide a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials. After 12 months, any defects become your problem and your expense.
An 11-month warranty inspection happens before that window closes. I do a full inspection of your home, document every defect, and give you a detailed report you can hand to your builder for repair, at no cost to you.
This is one of the best investments Bethany homeowners can make. Buyers routinely recover thousands of dollars in repairs from their builder that they would have paid for out of pocket after the warranty ran out. HVAC work, stucco and siding corrections, drainage fixes, structural issues. Builders are required to address legitimate warranty claims. You just have to document them in time.
Learn About 11-Month Warranty Inspections →- Full exterior: siding, flashing, grading, drainage
- Roof walked or drone-inspected: flashing, penetrations, shingle condition
- Attic: insulation, ventilation, exhaust fan termination
- All mechanical systems: HVAC, water heater, electrical panel
- Crawlspace or basement: moisture, vapor barrier, structural
- Interior: doors, windows, finishes, caulking failures
- Free thermal imaging throughout: hidden moisture, missing insulation
- Written report formatted for builder warranty submission
Every Inspection You Need, One Inspector
From your first walkthrough offer to your 11-month warranty check, I cover every stage of homeownership in Bethany and the 97229 area.
Buyer's Home Inspection
The comprehensive top-to-bottom inspection every Bethany buyer needs before closing. Roof to crawlspace, electrical to plumbing, thermal imaging included. I show you what I find, explain what matters, and give you a report you can use at the negotiating table.
From $395 · Free thermal imaging included Learn More →11-Month Warranty Inspection
The most overlooked inspection in Bethany. Your builder's one-year warranty is a time-limited asset. I inspect your new home before the deadline, document every defect, and hand you a report you can submit directly to the builder for warranty repairs.
From $395 · Builder-ready report format Learn More →New Construction Phase Inspection
For buyers building in Bethany from the ground up. I inspect at key phases, including pre-drywall and pre-closing, so defects are caught while the builder can still fix them without tearing into finished walls. Available as a standalone service or packaged with your closing inspection.
From $395 · Phase-specific reporting Learn More →Radon Testing
Washington County is EPA Radon Zone 1, meaning elevated radon potential. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and you cannot smell or see it. I recommend testing with every Bethany inspection. Add it to your buyer's inspection or book it as a standalone service.
$150 with inspection · $195 standalone Learn More →Pre-Listing Inspection
Selling a home in Bethany? A pre-listing inspection puts you in control. Know your home's condition before buyers do, fix what matters, price with confidence, and avoid deal-killing surprises under contract. Sellers who inspect before listing have stronger negotiations and fewer delays.
From $395 · Seller-focused reporting Learn More →Thermal Imaging Inspection
Every Bethany inspection I do includes free thermal imaging with a FLIR infrared camera. I detect hidden moisture, electrical hotspots, HVAC inefficiencies, and insulation gaps that a standard visual inspection simply cannot find. Competitors charge $150 to $250 for this. I include it because it makes the inspection better.
Free with every inspection · $150-250 value Learn More →Bethany, Oregon: Fast Growth, Diverse Housing
Bethany sits in the 97229 zip code in unincorporated Washington County, just northwest of Portland proper and north of Beaverton. It's one of the most desirable areas in the metro, with excellent schools, easy access to the Sunset Corridor tech employers, and a wide range of housing from established 1990s neighborhoods to brand-new construction.
That housing diversity means inspection needs vary. A 1998 home in Rock Creek has different concerns than a 2023 build in Summercrest. I know both. As a Certified Master Inspector® with contractor experience, I understand how homes in every era of Bethany were built, and what to look for in each.
Washington County radon levels are among the highest in the state. Crawlspace moisture is a consistent issue in the area's clay-heavy soil. And in newer neighborhoods, the construction pace has led to the kind of installation shortcuts I find every week. Thermal imaging is especially valuable here because many of these problems are hidden behind finished surfaces.
View All Service Areas →Bethany Village
The heart of the neighborhood. Mix of late-1990s and 2000s construction with newer infill. Common finds include aging roofs, dated HVAC, and early CPVC plumbing in some homes.
Summercrest / Rock Creek
Active new construction zone. High buyer demand, fast builder timelines. Where I find the most new-build defects. 11-month warranty inspections are especially valuable here.
Juel Park / Bonny Slope
Established neighborhoods with mature landscaping and larger lots. Homes from the 1980s and 1990s. Electrical updates, crawlspace moisture, and roof condition are the primary focus areas.
Cedar Mill Area
Mix of housing ages from 1960s ranches to newer builds. Galvanized plumbing is still present in some older homes. Great neighborhood, but inspection is not optional here.
Why Bethany Buyers Choose Russ Motyko, CMI®
Most inspectors have never swung a hammer on a job site. I built homes for 12 years while also inspecting them. That background is not incidental. It changes what I see.
Certified Master Inspector® (CMI®)
The CMI® is the highest credential in home inspection, held by fewer than 2% of inspectors nationwide. It requires 1,000+ completed inspections, 1,000+ hours of education, and peer review. I earned it. What the CMI® means for you →
12+ Years as a Licensed General Contractor
My contractor experience (CCB #254518) runs concurrent with my inspection work, not before it. I understand how homes are framed, plumbed, and wired from the inside out. This is the background that makes new construction inspections exceptional.
Dual-State Licensed: Oregon & Washington
Oregon OCHI #1898. Washington DOL #1856. If you're buying in Bethany or anywhere in the greater Portland-Vancouver metro, I'm licensed to inspect it. One inspector, one standard of care, both states.
Veteran-Owned. 5-Star Rated.
I served 17 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, including a deployment to Iraq. The discipline that comes from military service shows up in every inspection I do. 200+ five-star reviews on Google and Yelp. 10% military discount available →
Bethany Home Inspection FAQ
Answers to the questions Bethany buyers ask most. More answers at the full FAQ page →