Russ did a wonderful job inspecting our house. He was very flexible with his scheduling and made time for us on a Sunday morning. His inspection was very thorough and detailed. I appreciated that he took extra time to walk us through everything and answer any questions that we had. He made several great suggestions to us for repairs/improvements. I have been through a couple of different inspections over the years and Russ' was the absolute best. I highly recommend him if you are a buyer and looking for a very detailed home inspector.
Washington County Was Built on the Tech Boom. Your Home Inspector Should Know What It Left Behind.
Beaverton ranch from 1972 with aluminum wiring. 1995 Tigard split-level with EIFS that's been hiding water for 20 years. New Sherwood spec home with negative grading at three walls. Different decades, same county. As Oregon City's only Certified Master Inspector® with 3,000+ inspections and hands-on work as a licensed general contractor, Russ knows what each Washington County era leaves behind.
Washington County Know-How
A County Built by the Tech Corridor.
Washington County grew up around Intel, Nike, and the Silicon Forest. Most of the housing you'll inspect here was built between 1965 and 2005 to house that workforce. Aluminum wiring in the early stuff. EIFS siding on the mid-90s. Vinyl windows that fogged up by year ten. The defects here aren't random. They follow the building eras almost decade by decade.
I've inspected homes for 10 years and I work as a licensed general contractor. Framing is my specialty, the difficult and high-end kind. Roofs, wiring, concrete, shower pans, tile, drywall, siding, windows: I've done the work myself. Standing in a 1973 Beaverton ranch, I can often see what the framing crew intended and spot signs of where a 2003 garage conversion undid it.
When I walk a Washington County home, the era and city set the inspection priorities before I open the door. Older Aloha and Beaverton get aluminum wiring scrutiny. 1990s Tigard and Tualatin get EIFS and CPVC focus. Sherwood and Bethany new builds get grading, attic, and warranty-window checks. Forest Grove's older stock gets knob-and-tube and oil tank attention.
I hold Certified Master Inspector® certification, Oregon OCHI license #1898, and Washington DOL license #1856. I am also a licensed general contractor. Every inspection includes free thermal imaging. In the Tualatin Valley's climate, that's standard equipment.
Washington County, OR Housing Market
Washington County, City by City
From dense suburbs like Beaverton and Aloha to rural Banks at the foot of the Coast Range. Each city has its own profile. Click any to read more.
Large suburban housing stock built primarily 1960s through 1990s. Aluminum wiring, Federal Pacific panels, and galvanized plumbing are recurring findings. Newer Beaverton stock has its own issues with grading and CPVC.
County seat with a wide mix: historic downtown homes, mid-century neighborhoods, and the South Hillsboro tech-corridor expansion. Each area needs a different inspection mindset.
Established suburban community. 1970s and 1980s ranches with galvanized plumbing, single-pane windows, crawlspace moisture. EIFS siding on 1990s builds gets serious attention here.
1980s and 1990s subdivision dominance. EIFS siding on some homes traps moisture when window flashing fails. Deck ledger and CPVC concerns common. Drainage on flatter lots gets scrutiny.
One of the county's fastest-growing cities. Heavy new construction with grading, drainage, and HVAC installation findings. 11-month warranty inspections in high demand here.
Newer unincorporated community with high-end construction from the 1990s forward. Complex roofs, multi-zone HVAC, drainage on graded lots, and warranty-window inspections all common topics.
Dense unincorporated suburban area with concentration of 1970s and 1980s homes. Aluminum wiring and galvanized plumbing are common. Federal Pacific panels still present in original stock.
One of the county's oldest cities. Victorian-era homes near downtown, post-war ranches in surrounding neighborhoods. Knob-and-tube and buried oil tank checks every time on older stock.
Older working-class housing stock. Deferred maintenance is common on mid-century homes here. Roof age, electrical, and crawlspace moisture set the inspection priorities.
Planned 55+ community with consistent housing from the 1960s and 1970s. Aging systems, original windows, and deferred maintenance are recurring themes. Original electrical panels common.
Small community on the western edge of the Tualatin Valley. In-town homes plus rural properties with well and septic. Wood stove inspections common on outlying parcels.
Rural community at the foot of the Coast Range. Older homes, private wells, septic systems. Outbuildings (an add-on), wood heat, and wildfire-zone considerations all in play here.
Washington County Homes by Construction Era
The county's housing stock breaks into four distinct waves. Each one has its own materials, failure patterns, and inspection focus.
Pre-1965 Homes
The oldest stock is concentrated in Forest Grove, Cornelius, downtown Hillsboro, and parts of Tigard. Victorian-era through mid-century construction. Knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized supply pipes, cast iron drains, original windows. Buried oil tanks are a documented liability on pre-1990 homes and especially common in this era.
1965 - 1985 Tech Boom Homes
The county exploded with growth as Tektronix, Intel, and Nike scaled up. Beaverton, Aloha, Hillsboro, Tigard, and King City filled in with ranches and split-levels. The electrical here is the priority. Aluminum wiring in 1965 to 1974 builds shows up nearly every week in this part of the county. Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels are common in 1970s stock.
1985 - 2005 EIFS Era Homes
The bulk of Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, and Bethany. CPVC plumbing was standard. EIFS (synthetic stucco) siding made its splash on mid-90s builds. The roofing systems from this period are often near or past typical service life. Deck ledger and crawlspace findings are consistent across these subdivisions.
EIFS deserves its own paragraph. Late 80s through 90s product. When window and trim flashing fails, moisture gets in behind the cladding and stays there. We inspect every visible EIFS surface and recommend specialist destructive testing when warranted.
South Hillsboro & New Construction
South Hillsboro, Sherwood expansion, Bethany infill, and continuing Tigard and Tualatin subdivision work. New construction in Washington County consistently shows grading toward the foundation on disturbed lots, HVAC installation defects, and flashing errors at windows and doors. These are usually the builder's responsibility before you close, and a written report documents them.
The 11-month warranty inspection is essential. Document defects before the builder's one-year warranty expires.
Recent Findings From Washington County Inspections
Three findings from real Washington County inspections this season. Every report includes high-res photos, severity ratings, and repair context.
Is Your Dream Home Hiding Significant Issues?
See Your Potential Home Through an Inspector's Eyes.
Transform your observations into a clear risk profile. In just two minutes, you will receive a breakdown of what a professional inspector would be concerned about based on what you saw.
8 quick questions. No contact info required.
How old is the home?
You'll have the year built from the listing or the seller. Home age is the single biggest driver of inspection risk.
What did the roof look like from the street?
Look for curling shingles, dark patches, missing granules, or visible moss. A good look at the roof from the ground can tell you more than you'd think.
Did you notice any musty smell inside the home?
A musty or earthy odor is the most reliable clue buyers can detect about crawlspace moisture or mold, even without going under the house.
Did you see the electrical panel? What did it look like?
It's usually in a utility room, garage, or hallway. Federal Pacific (orange breakers) and Zinsco panels are known fire risks and still common in Portland-area homes from the 1960s to 1980s.
Did you notice any water stains on ceilings or walls?
Look near the corners of ceilings, under windows, and in bathrooms. Even old-looking stains matter, they show water has been in places it shouldn't be.
How did the overall condition of the home feel?
Trust your gut. A home that feels well-loved and maintained usually is. One that feels neglected almost always has deferred items hiding out of sight.
Did the home have a finished basement, addition, or garage conversion?
These are some of the most common places to find unpermitted work. A finished space isn't automatically a problem, but without permits, there's no record of whether it was done safely.
Where are you in your homeownership journey?
This helps us tailor your results to your situation.
Real Inspection Photos
Photos From Recent Washington County Inspections
Real photos from Russ's Beaverton and Hillsboro reports. Every report includes photos like these for each finding.
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On a new build, the siding sat less than 6 inches above the soil. Low clearance raises the risk of decay and pests, so adjustment is recommended. Fiber cement siding installation mistakes -
Active leaking at a water heater's hot water fitting, plus corrosion at the base. These signs often mean the tank may need replacement. Common water heater inspection findings -
Signs of past mold remediation in an attic, with apparent mold and dark staining still visible. A remediation specialist should evaluate it. What causes attic mold in Portland homes -
A disconnected duct dumps heated or cooled air into the attic. An HVAC contractor should reconnect and seal it. -
With no flashing, water can collect behind the ledger and rot the wall framing. Common on older decks around the county. Why deck ledger attachment matters -
A slab poured above the wall's wood framing lets water reach the sill plate, which can hide rot and invite pests. Where dry rot hides in a house
What Makes Washington County Homes Different to Inspect
The county's tech-era housing stock, EIFS-heavy 90s subdivisions, and rapid new-build growth all create inspection concerns specific to this area.
Aluminum Wiring Concentration
Washington County has one of the highest concentrations of 1965 to 1974 housing in the Portland metro, and that's exactly the period when aluminum branch wiring was widely used. Beaverton, Aloha, and west Hillsboro all show it regularly. When aluminum is improperly modified with copper pigtails (a common DIY shortcut), it becomes a documented fire risk. Insurance carriers want it addressed before they bind a policy on these homes.
EIFS Siding (Late 80s & 90s)
EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System), or synthetic stucco, was used heavily on mid-90s Tigard, Tualatin, and Sherwood subdivisions. When window or trim flashing fails (which is common), moisture gets trapped behind the cladding and can rot the structure underneath. The damage often doesn't show from the outside. We inspect every visible EIFS surface, document any signs, and recommend specialist destructive testing when warranted.
New Construction Drainage
Sherwood, Bethany, and South Hillsboro have seen heavy subdivision growth. On freshly disturbed lots, drainage frequently directs water toward the foundation before soil settles. By year two or three, you've got crawlspace water or foundation cracking that should never have happened. The 11-month warranty inspection can catch this while it's usually still the builder's problem.
What We Check in a Washington County Home
Every inspection covers all major systems and accessible areas. We physically enter attics and crawlspaces. We operate every system we can safely access.
Roof & Attic
Shingles, flashing, gutters, insulation, ventilation, moisture. Roof walked when safe.
Electrical
Panel, breakers, wiring type (aluminum flagged), outlets, GFCI and AFCI.
Plumbing
Pipe material (poly-B flagged), drains, water heater, pressure, fixtures.
HVAC
Furnace, AC, heat pump, ductwork, distribution. Install defect documentation on new builds.
Foundation & Structure
Cracks, settling, retaining walls, anchor bolts, visible structural framing.
Crawlspace
Full physical entry. Moisture, vapor barrier, insulation, wood rot.
Interior
Walls, ceilings, floors, windows (fogged glass documented), doors, built-in appliances.
Exterior & Grading
Siding (EIFS specifically), deck, driveway, grading, foundation drainage.
Radon Testing in Washington County
Washington County's radon potential varies by location and soil type. EPA recommends testing every home in Oregon, regardless of zone designation. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas produced naturally by uranium breaking down in soil and rock. It seeps in through crawlspace soil, foundation cracks, and sump areas.
You cannot smell or see radon. The only way to know your home's level is to test. A newer house, or one with a mitigation system already in place, still gets tested. Mitigation systems can fail, and the number moves with soil, foundation type, and ventilation. Two houses on the same street can read very differently.
We recommend radon testing on every Washington County inspection. If levels exceed 4 pCi/L (the EPA action level), a mitigation system typically costs $800 to $1,500. Reasonable to resolve before closing.
Learn About Radon Testing →Transparent Pricing
Simple, Flat-Rate Pricing
No hidden fees, no surprise add-ons. Thermal imaging is included on every inspection.
- Full home inspection
- Free thermal imaging
- Roof & crawlspace
- Detailed digital report
- Full home inspection
- Free thermal imaging
- Detailed digital report
- 48-hour radon test
- Full home inspection
- Free thermal imaging
- Detailed digital report
- 48-hour radon test
- Mold air sampling & lab results
- Interior-only inspection
- Free thermal imaging
- Electrical, plumbing, HVAC
- Detailed digital report
- Interior-only inspection
- Free thermal imaging
- Detailed digital report
- 48-hour radon test
- Interior-only inspection
- Free thermal imaging
- Detailed digital report
- 48-hour radon test
- Mold air sampling & lab results
Clark County, WA sits in EPA Radon Zone 1, and elevated readings turn up across the Portland metro. Testing is the only way to know. Standalone test: $225
Portland’s wet climate makes mold a real concern. Air samples are analyzed by Sporecyte, an accredited laboratory, which identifies mold types and spore concentrations. Standalone mold inspection: $445
Save $100 vs. standalone. In-ground spas included at no extra charge. Free-standing hot tubs are not inspected. Accessible components inspected, including shell, pump, filter, heater, and safety systems.
See our full pricing page for all size ranges.
Client Stories
What people say about Russ
Real reviews from clients across Portland Metro & SW Washington.
Russ was very detail-oriented and thoroughly inspected every inch of the house. His report made it easy to identify and address necessary repairs. We were very happy with his work, professionalism, and communication throughout the process. We would absolutely use him again for our one-year warranty inspection and any future inspections. Highly recommend!
We had two home inspections completed with Russ. The inspections were exceptionally thorough offering detailed insight into the homes. He did a great job with inspecting the entire roof and crawlspace. If I need another inspection, he would be my first call.
Russ did our 1 year warranty inspection and was absolutely amazing. Very thorough and found stuff that was never initially caught during our purchasing inspection. Thank you Russ!
I am a real estate agent in the Portland area that loves when my clients pick Russ. He has a non-alarmist way of describing his findings that helps each person to learn and understand in a better way. I appreciate his expertise and also, his sense of humor!
Great inspector! Honest and trust worthy
Highly recommend! Professional, thorough, and trustworthy are the words I would use to describe this business!!!
My wife and I had an excellent experience. They were professional, punctual, and extremely thorough. The report was detailed, well-organized, and delivered promptly, with clear photos. This inspection gave me complete confidence in my home purchase.
Very professional and honest inspector. Will not sugar coat the details. Very thorough and rigorous!
I can't recommend Russ enough, hands down, the most thorough, professional, and knowledgeable inspector out there!
Russ from Trusted Home Inspections is the best inspector ever. His report was so thorough and detailed that it made post inspection repairs and negotiations easy, reasonable and fair!!
Russ was a pleasure to work with. He communicated clearly, arrived on time, and conducted a thorough and detailed inspection. His professionalism gave me confidence in my home purchase decision.
Russ is fair, honest, and to the point. His extensive expertise is evident in his detailed reports. Nothing is missed!
Russ is a great inspector, honest, trustworthy, cares about his work being better than 'good enough,' and his expertise will be used in upcoming projects for family, friends, and coworkers!
We couldn't be happier! Russ was absolutely outstanding from start to finish, from the roof and attic to the foundation, electrical, plumbing, and everything in between. He did a radon test for us as well and the whole process was smooth.
Excellent home inspection service! Thorough, professional, and easy to understand. The inspector was patient, detailed, and provided a clear, well-organized report quickly. Highly recommend!
If you want an honest truth about any dwelling, call Russ. He will do his due diligence and put it in writing. 10/10 recommended
We had an excellent experience working with Russ. Professional, punctual, and extremely thorough. His report was detailed, easy to follow, and delivered promptly. We felt confident moving forward thanks to his expertise.
Russ is extremely knowledgeable and personable. I have used his services several times. In addition to his extensive experience, he also has a solid construction background, so he really knows what's what. Highly recommend!
If you're looking for an inspector who will do an honest, thorough inspection, choose Russ @ Trusted Home Inspection. I don't know of another person I could recommend over him. 10/10!
Russ is an outstanding inspector. Extremely thorough and very knowledgeable. He will crawl where others won't, and will see what others are blind to. Would 100% recommend his company to EVERYONE.
Russ was very detailed and found out way more details that were missed by other inspectors. He is very knowledgeable and detail oriented! Will definitely go with him next time I need an inspection.
Russ came recommended by our agent, and it's easy to see why. Compared to friends who recently bought homes and used other inspection companies, the level of detail here was unmatched. We have no complaints and would absolutely work with them again.
Russ was fantastic. Very thorough, personably, and prompt. He even got up on a pretty steep roof in the rain, which I didn't expect. Would highly recommend him for your home inspection.
Russ was incredibly thorough, very friendly, and answered all of our questions. We are first-time buyers, and we felt very well taken care of by Russ. His report was super informative and detailed, and gave us great next steps. Thanks Russ!
Russ was incredibly thorough and detailed, and his inspection really made me feel more comfortable with my home purchase. Thank you, Russ!
Russ is very thorough and finds every little detail. Very honest inspector and I can rest assured knowing my home was inspected by him.
We had an excellent experience with our home inspector. He was professional, thorough, and took the time to explain everything clearly. The inspection was very detailed, and the report was easy to understand with helpful photos and recommendations. He identified issues that could have easily been missed and gave us confidence in our home purchase. I highly recommend his services to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and trustworthy home inspector. Thank you for the outstanding work!
Russ did a fabulous job inspecting our home. Not only was he thorough and professional, but he offered supportive follow-up via an in-depth 2-year maintenance calendar. He is a very clear communicator, very honest. Since living in the house, our experience noticing small quirks or repair items in the home matches Russ's inspection notes perfectly. Don't hesitate to work with him!
Russ did an 11 month warranty inspection for me and was incredibly thorough. He found over 50 items that needed to be addressed before the builder's warranty expired. What I appreciated most is that he actually listened to the concerns I raised and took the time to look into them. The report he gave was detailed and easy to follow, which made it simple to pass along to the builder. If you're looking for a home inspector who's meticulous and genuinely looks out for his clients, I would highly recommend Trusted Home Inspections.
Russ was AMAZING! Super thorough, responsive and gave us so much detail. The seller had done a pre-inspection and Russ did one for us as the seller. No comparison. We felt so confident going into negotiations and understanding everything. Hire Russ. You won't regret it.
Russ was great to work with! Timely, efficient and very easy to ask questions along the way. At the end of this inspection he answered all our questions without making us feel rushed! He made the whole process super easy and straightforward. Thank you!
A thorough and professional inspection. Russ answered all of my questions and made me feel confident about decisions that were required.
Super thorough and kind. Feel good with their assessment and feedback.
Russ is thorough, kind, and wants what is best for his customers. Highly recommend!
Excellent work, I am very pleased!!!
Thorough inspection and timely report
Washington County Home Inspection FAQs
Questions Washington County buyers ask most before booking.
About the Inspector
Inspected and Written by Russ Motyko, CMI®
Russ is Oregon City's only Certified Master Inspector® and licensed general contractor. He has completed more than 3,000 inspections across the Portland metro and SW Washington. Bilingual in English and Russian, a U.S. Army Reserve Noncommissioned Officer, and owner of Trusted Home Inspections.
Credentials: Certified Master Inspector®, Oregon OCHI License #1898, Washington DOL License #1856, Oregon CCB #254518. Has trained 100+ inspectors and taught Washington State home inspection courses.
Why this page exists: Washington County's tech-corridor housing has its own specific defect patterns. This page is written and maintained by the inspector who actually does the work in Beaverton, Tigard, Sherwood, and beyond, not by an agency that's never crawled a Tualatin Valley crawlspace in February.
Where We Inspect
Serving Portland Metro & Southwest Washington
Available 7 days a week. No travel fee within 40 miles of Oregon City, and $50 past that. Not sure if we cover your area? Just call.
Multnomah County home inspections. Portland and the rest of Multnomah County are full of older housing stock, including 1920s craftsman bungalows in SE Portland, Pearl District lofts, and mid-century homes in NE Portland. Older homes mean knob-and-tube wiring, cast iron drains, and aging foundations. I’ve inspected hundreds of homes across Multnomah County and know what to look for in each neighborhood.
Clackamas County home inspections. Clackamas County is home base for me. Oregon City, Lake Oswego, West Linn, and Happy Valley are where I do most of my work. EPA rates Clackamas County as Radon Zone 3, but individual homes still test high, so radon testing belongs on every Clackamas County home inspection. I know the local builders, the common defects, and the soil conditions that drive moisture problems in this part of the metro.
Washington County home inspections. Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, and Tualatin are growing fast, with new construction next to homes from the 70s and 80s. Washington County home inspections often catch builder-grade shortcuts in newer subdivisions and aging mechanical systems in established neighborhoods. The wet Tualatin Valley climate also makes moisture intrusion and crawlspace issues more common than buyers expect.
Clark County home inspections in Southwest Washington. Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, and Battle Ground sit just across the Columbia River, and I’m licensed in Washington (DOL #1856) to inspect them. Clark County home inspections come with their own quirks: hillside foundations in Camas, manufactured homes in outlying areas, and the same wet Pacific Northwest climate that drives moisture and mold concerns. Same standards I apply on the Oregon side, no extra travel fee.
Don’t see your city? We likely cover it.
View All Service AreasReady to Schedule Your Washington County Inspection?
Available 7 days a week. Online booking open 24/7. From Beaverton to Banks, you get Russ.