About us
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25 years of trusted experience
Services we offer
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Free Estimates
YesWarranties
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Reviews
5.0172 Reviews
Showing 126-150 of 172 reviews
Wendy S.
12/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark explained the process over the phone and then during the inspection Mark wanted my husband and I to be actively involved in the inspection and he taught us a lot about the home and its functions. He completed a very thorough report with pictures once he was finished and has answered several emails that I have written with follow up questions since the inspection.
Description of Work: Mark conducted a very thorough inspection for a home that we plan to purchase. He patiently explained each issue that he was inspecting and answered all of my questions and, more importantly, is still available to answer questions that I have now that the inspection is completed. I feel comfortable calling or emailing Mark with any home safety/improvement questions that I have and will have in the future.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$432
Christopher B.
09/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark was worth his weight in gold. I cannot think of anything negative to say about the whole experience. From the moment I spoke with his wife on the phone to learn about the service and set an appointment, to the end of the inspection, I felt I was in good, professional hands. It was made known that the inspection was going to be thorough and up front, which I appreciated. The idea of someone "sugar-coating" something that could cost me a large sum of money was not something I wanted. After the inspection and reviewing the report, I can honestly say that Mark and Secure Choice prevented me from making probably the largest financial mistake of my life.
Description of Work: I was interested in purchasing a property that I felt might have some structural and cosmetic issues that would need to be addressed with the seller. I called Secure Choice and was able to get an inspection for an appointment right away. Mark came out to the property and gave the place a thorough inspection from top to bottom. I was amazed at the things he noticed, as I would most likely just glance at them and walk away. We examined the roof, exterior, interior, all of the systems and areas that were affected by a flood that occurred a few years ago. Mark took photos of everything that caused concern, told me what the issue was, and gave ideas on how to remedy the problem and estimates on what to expect. By the time it was over, I could not believe how quickly four hours had passed. I was amazed at how much I learned. The next morning a report and collection of photos was emailed to me for my review. Everything was easy to understand and Secure Choice provided me with the literature to help explain their concerns. I seriously walked out of the inspection knowing that I had made the right choice in calling Secure Choice and would recommend them to anyone thinking of purchasing a property.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$378
KATHY G.
09/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreHe was very knowledgeable and professional and spent many hours walking us through everything, including the approximate cost of the fixes to help us determine what we would ask the buyers to fix. My husband comes from a handy family and knows a little bit, and he felt that Mark was very good. The only complaint we have is that the report that Mark puts together is very cryptic. There are not detailed descriptions of what needs fixing, but rather a check box type sheet with little notes. This becomes a challenge when the lawyers are trying to write up the request letter to the sellers, as they have to go to us and we have to try to remember exactly what needs fixing. It was really a pain, especially during the hectic process of selling our own home when we had a million things we were doing. We've used inspectors in the past who don't do as thorough or quality of a job in the actual inspections (and miss big things), but who provide beautiful, typed up, detailed reports. If I had to chose I'd go with Mark because I do think he's good... but just be prepared to take your own notes and pull together the wording yourself.
Description of Work: Mark came out and inspected a large 4 bedroom home we were considering buying (and which we did end up purchasing).
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$485
LISA Z.
09/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreIn the preliminary inspection he fully reviewed the house and then told me that this was a solid house we could go ahead and put in an offer. Then later, the full inspection gave us more reassurance that this was not a lemon. He also gave us a specific checklist with all the points where the seller needed to get things fixed. He turned the report around for us very quickly because we had a closing period that was very short. I was also able to talk to him and email him many times about the report subsequently which helped to clarify things for me in negotiating with the seller. He instills a lot of confidence and has a lot of expertise.
Description of Work: This was the second time I had used Secure Choice. The first time the home was rated so badly in the inspection that we got out of the deal and continued to look. I am happy to say that Mark found that this home(new construction) was above average. He first completed a preliminary inspection which cost $100 where he let me know whether it was worth my while to even put in an offer this time, and he then did a full inspection for $380(discounted because of the preliminary inspection).
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$480
Wendy W.
09/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreJennifer returned my call to Secure Choice promptly and gave me an estimate right there on the phone. We scheduled a day and time for the inspection but I had to reschedule as the water was turned off at the house. Jennifer was very understanding and didn't have a problem with it. Mark came out and did a very thorough job. He explained everything in detail to my husband and I and was also very patient in answering our endless questions. He was extremely professional. The report was detailed with estimates on repairs and/or replacements and the pictures are essential in helping us remember what areas his notes was in reference to. Overall a valuable and pleasant experience. I highly recommend Secure Choice!
Description of Work: We needed a full home inspection done on a 39-year old house we were looking to buy.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$530
IMRAN M.
08/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark did a fantastic job. The house had been through 2 inspections prior to ours for contracts that had fallen through due to contingencies. Mark found things that hadn't been noticed in the previous inspections. Even our realtor commented on how thorough he was. He explained everything really well, as the inspection was progressing, so that I completely understood.
Description of Work: Inspected a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home prior to purchase.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$495
LISA Z.
07/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreWe did not go through with the purchase of the house based on the inspection which showed moisture in the finished basement as well as many other faulty aspects of the gut rehab that had been performed on the house.
Description of Work: Mark inspected every inch of that property and was able to tell us what problem areas could easily be fixed and what problems might be long term issues that would be very expensive for us.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$430
gary D.
07/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreFound Secure choice on Angie's list and gave them a call on Sunday. I received a call back the same day, and they were able to set up the appointment within a couple of days. Mark and Jennifer are very responsive, and communication was excellent. Mark spend just under 4 hours going through every piece of the house and provide detailed feedback on what and where the problem was, and how to fix it, along with the cost. A couple of days after the inspection I received a detailed 3 ring binder with all the details from the inspection.
Description of Work: Purchase of a new house in Wheaton. Provided a pre-sale inspection.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$450
VICTORIA K.
05/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreMy husband had passed away and I needed to find out what needed repair (other than the obvious) to my home. Mark came out and he looked over every inch of my home. He looked especially at the roofing/window situation that has been going on for a while with one of Angie's List members. He confirmed what the window company had said as far as the leaking windows--it was the roof. He looked at the roofing, gutters, attic, and in the house, he looked over all the major systems to tell me what needed fixing right away (some electrical, HVAC, and gas connections). Mark also gave me some advice on how to go about getting some things fixed, and gave me an estimate of about how much it should cost. Mark did an excellent job of looking over everything, and made it a point to involve me when he found something, or knew I needed some more information about an area.
Description of Work: Needed to have a home inspection to get a laundry list of what needed to get fixed.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$395
Allyson R.
02/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark was phenomenal. We are buying a 50-year old, 4000 square foot home that needs lots of rehab, making the inspection critical. He spent nearly 6 hours completing the inspection, and he spent another 45 minutes with us on the phone the following day discussing an exceptionally thorough summary report. Mark made us aware of every small detail, both good and bad. We covered the negative issues extensively, but there was a measured fashion about Mark's style. He wanted to make us very aware of the issues, but he was careful not to raise unnecessary concern or alarm, and we found more negative items than we were expecting, but it was still a pleasant experience somehow. Being a financial professional, I knew close to nothing about construction quality, plumbing, electrical, etc. Mark spent considerable time explaining everything he was evaluating. I'd say he offered not only an inspection, but also a tour of our new home. It'd been a long time since I learned so much in one day.
Description of Work: Home inspection for 50-year old, 4000 square foot home. I thought the price ($555 after $15 coupon) was rather low given the size of the home. In combination with Mark's quality, the price was much too low. We were quoted $850 by another firm that receives high ratings on Angie's List.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$555
Waiken W.
02/2008
home inspection
+ -1 moreArranging for the inspection was surprisingly easy even around the Thanksgiving holiday. Mark is extremely thorough in his inspection and a patient and helpful teacher to a first-time homeowner. We spent about four hours going through the house together from basement to attic, inside and out. His report helped us get a credit applied to the final sale price of the home and has helped guide some of our early home improvement/maintenance/safety contracting work. Since the inspection, Mark has been great for second opinions on repair estimates for some of the work we're expecting to have done.
Description of Work: Top to bottom home inspection while we were under contract for a home purchase. We eventually did purchase the home.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$410
THOMAS L.
11/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreVery professional and polite. Seemed to be very thorough. He does a good job of getting the most money for the issues.
Description of Work: Inspection of new property.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$460
Raiford P.
10/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreThe company provides excellent service from beginning to end. The office quickly handled my request and scheduled an inspection. Mark came out to the home and performed the most complete and thorough inspection I have ever seen on a house. It has to be seen to be believed. He walks through with you and describes everything he is seeing as he sees it. Expect a four hour time window for a typical 4-bedroom house. When buying something as important as a home, this attention to detail will save you thousands of dollars, and aid in your negotiations with the seller. Mark explains everything after the inspection and provides a huge detailed binder containing his report, and provides digital photos of problem areas. Outstanding in every way.
Description of Work: Mark inspected two homes for me. I was looking to buy a house this past summer.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$400
RANDALL F.
10/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark was able to examine and analyze the working order of everything in the house. Afterwards, he provided us with a report and helped us prioritize work that needs to be done.
Description of Work: Mark inspected a home for us that had just gone under contract. It is a ninety year old home and he spent four hours working through every major system, inside and out, to find out what works, what was a safety issue, and what was a structural issue. He is knowledgeable in every area of home inspection, along with being professional and friendly.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$425
KATHLEEN R.
09/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreThe inspector actually taught me things about my home that I have lived in for twenty years that I didn't even know. I found him to be very thorough and extremely knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend him.
Description of Work: I had an inspector come to my home and look over my attic and roof, so that we would know what repairs we needed to have done in order to get the house up to code. It took him about 3 to 4 hours to look over everything and take pictures. When he was all done, he gave us a written report and emailed us the pictures.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$300
Deborah R.
09/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark came highly recommended from a close personal friend. We were just about to put money down on a home when we called Mark in to carry out the inspection. He found cracks in the foundation and mold in the basement. Thank goodness he was on our side! We found a new home a few blocks away which he also inspected and passed his test. Most homes have some sort of problems, it's just so great to know what you are getting into before you assume ownership.
Description of Work: Mark inspected the home we purchased.
| Rating Category | Rating out of 5 |
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$500
VI D.
08/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreInspector was very knowledgeable, detailed and thorough in his inspection and report. Appreciated budget figures for repair greatly. Only issue was that we received report day after it was promised and he had said he would call in a.m, but didn't so I called him.
Description of Work: Home inspection of 4 flat rental property.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$545
Response from Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants
LORI K.
08/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreThere was some confusion over the start time, we had scheduled an 8 AM appointment but they had it down for 9 AM. They gave us partial credit for our time to rectify this without us even asking. Mark is incredibly professional (shoes off on new hardwood floors), interested in explaining everything he's reviewing in layman's terms, potential deficiencies as well as things done correctly. We are purchasing a new construction 3 bedroom duplex, so went through the electrical, then exterior, then went room by room. His report & photos matched everything we discussed. We met on Thurs AM & his report & photos were sent to me via email (mail also an option) by 8 AM on Monday. Our builder argued with very little and is rectifying nearly everything noted. One thing I'd change, if you're doing new construction, spend the extra money and have Mark come out when you're making your initial offer. He didn't suggest this, but I think we could have caught several things prior to this visit.
Description of Work: As described in his report: An inspection, to visually screen for exposed to view readily accessible systems and or components of the property which may need major repair and or are significantly deficient. In addition, the report will note systems and components which were not inspected and a reason will be given why they were not inspected. It went extremely well.
| Rating Category | Rating out of 5 |
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$370
Laura W.
07/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark met us at the house and he was right on time. He went through the process of inspecting the home while we followed. He inspected the roof, the garage, the basement, all of the appliances, the plumbing, the electrical system, the foundations and the exterior of the home, the attic, and all the walls, windows and other parts of the home's structure. He took pictures of problem areas which we could send to our attorney to illustrate the points that he was making in his write-up. He wrote a thorough summary of everything that he found and spent 45 minutes explaining it to us in detail. At the end of the day, he gave us a thick binder that explained everything that he inspected and spelled out for us what we should expect in every aspect of the home that we were buying. As a result of Mark's work, we feel much more confident that we are making the right decisions in our home buying process.
Description of Work: Mark walked from all over the outside of the house to the roof, even climbed on top of the roof to the the attic and basement. He explained to us everything that he was doing and was very thorough. Did a wonderful job. He found some things that I didn't even see. Mark went over all the paperwork with us and said to call him if we had any questions. I highly recommend his company to anyone buying or building a home.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$425
Scott B.
07/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark is extremely thorough and patient. We had the seller over our shoulders the entire time, which made the inspection take over 5 hours. Mark handled the prolonged inspection in stride. He picked up on several issues with the house, and I asked for over $5k worth of health and safety repairs, prior to closing based on Mark's recommendations. His report is easy to read, and he even gives you an idea, of how much repairs will cost for each item. I have recommended Mark to my boss, and I will continue to recommend Mark to others.
Description of Work: Full home inspection for purchase.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$425
JOHN J V.
06/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark was very thorough and complete. He explained things along the way. His report included extensive information about each category of the report.
Description of Work: Mark did a complete apartment and building inspection in my proposed purchase of a coop apartment.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$325
John D.
06/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark arrived right on time and proceeded to spend over 4.5 hours at the residence. We first started outside and progressed through the rest of the house. He asked us up front, if we had a toddler and pointed out potential dangers, as we walked around the house. I even noted that he checked EVERY single outlet he saw (which I know an inspector from a previous house we owned, did not due). Extremely thorough in his writeup and made sure I knew what he was talking about, as we went through the inspection. We ended up not taking the house based on the outcome of his inspection and he probably saved us tens of thousands over what a less-detailed inspector would have. We are still looking and will definitely use him on our next offer.
Description of Work: Top to bottom home inspection of a property, we recently put an offer on.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$425
Jerry S.
06/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark was extremely thorough and the inspection lasted a full four hours. I followed him around and he explained everything he was looking at, areas of concern and why they were a concern. He took time to answer questions both relevant to his inspection and other general questions I had about the home's mechanicals and home repair. His written report was also thorough and provided estimates for each repair/replacement. Although we will not repair everything on his list immediately, it serves as an excellent to-do list and a list of issues to monitor over time. Mark's inspection also enabled us to get a hefty credit from the sellers. I highly recommend Mark's work.
Description of Work: Complete home inspection on a property under contract.
| Rating Category | Rating out of 5 |
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$410
ELIZABETH E.
05/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreMark was very professional and thorough in his inspections and definitely knows what he is doing. He saved us from a possible nightmare because he identified a unique problem that no one else had caught or even thought of (needless to say we did not buy that particular house). Mark walks you through all areas of the house as he is conducting the inspection and makes sure you have a thorough understanding of the issues. His reports help in your negotiations with the sellers and they can even serve as a "plan" to make your own improvements to the property over time. He definitely put our minds at ease...we know exactly what we bought. I have used Mark twice and I would recommend him to anyone shopping for a home and wants a tough inspector.
Description of Work: Mark Wilczak performed two home inspections for me. One home was approximately 80 years old and Mark spent almost 5 hours to make sure the inspection was complete. He checked out the exteriors including stairs, porches, sidewalks, roof and gutters. The interiors included a thorough inspection and explanation of all electrical, plumbing, mechanicals, appliances, windows, settling issues and craftsmanship. I received comprehensive reports after each inspection, including estimated costs of how much I can expect the repairs to be. He recommended a termite inspector and was even available by phone to answer additional questions I thought of a couple of weeks later.
| Rating Category | Rating out of 5 |
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$350
Patti S.
05/2007
home inspection
+ -1 moreThe inspection went great. Mark was very knowledgeable concerning older homes. He understood the condition of the home. He listened to what was important to me. He spent a considerable amount of time inspecting the inner workings of the home IE electrical, plumbing, structural. He found all the things that could not be seen by a casual observer. The report was very comprehensive. We met after the inspection to ensure that I understood everything he noted. He also provided cost estimates for the repairs. I would highly recommend Mark for home inspections.
Description of Work: The work performed was a home inspection on a 80 year old home that was being sold "as is". Secure Choice was recommended as an expert in inspecting old homes.
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Yes, I recommend this pro
$395
Contact information
902 S Randall Rd Suite C181, St Charles, IL 60174
www.securechoice.orgService hours
Sunday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMMonday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMTuesday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMWednesday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMThursday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMFriday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMSaturday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMLicensing
Insured
State Contractor License Requirements
All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.
*Contact business to see additional licenses.
Service Categories
Home inspection,
Land surveying
FAQ
Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants is currently rated 5 overall out of 5.
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants accepts the following forms of payment: American Express,Check,Discover,MasterCard,Visa
Yes, Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants offers free project estimates.
No, Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants does not offer a senior discount.
No, Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants does not offer emergency services.
Yes, Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants offers warranties.
Secure Choice Real Estate Consultants offers the following services: Residential and commercial inspection of structure, exterior, roof, plumbing, electric, HVAC, interior kitchen, bath, insulation, digital photos of deficiencies & budgeted repair figures.
Please call for details.
Contact information
902 S Randall Rd Suite C181, St Charles, IL 60174
www.securechoice.orgService hours
Sunday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMMonday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMTuesday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMWednesday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMThursday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMFriday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMSaturday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM