Providing Pre-Purchase Buyer’s Inspections, 11-Month Warranty Evaluations, and Annual Home Maintenance Checks to families and homeowners across Manhattan, Junction City, Wamego, and the Flint Hills.
I’m Lincoln Mertz, and I approach every home inspection with the technical rigor of my Mechanical Engineering background. Raised on a local farm in the Flint Hills, I learned early on that details matter and a strong work ethic is non-negotiable.
I’ve combined that foundational upbringing with my engineering education to provide a unique perspective on the local real estate market. I don’t just check boxes; I apply a lifelong mechanical mindset to analyze the complex systems that keep your home running.
Whether you are a first-time buyer or moving into your forever home, I provide the expert clarity you need to protect your family. I treat every evaluation with the same integrity I’ve practiced since growing up here in the Flint Hills, where I now serve families in Manhattan, Junction City, and Wamego.
Lincoln Mertz, B.S. Mechanical Engineering & Certified Inspector
A home is an interconnected machine. I evaluate how your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems work together for efficiency and safety.
With an engineering background, I look past cosmetic flips to identify underlying foundation and framing issues that could cost thousands.
I don't just provide checklists; I provide homeowner education. You'll get the technical data you need to negotiate and a clear roadmap for your home’s future.
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
International Association of
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
KDHE & InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
International Association of
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
KDHE & InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
International Association of
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
KDHE & InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
InterNACHI Certified
Base pricing for local¹ homes up to 3,000 sq ft
+$25 per additional 1,000 sq ft | +$100 per additional unit²
The foundational Buyer’s Inspection for Manhattan area homes. A complete engineering-minded evaluation of all structural and mechanical systems
Our most requested evaluation. This package bridges the gap between a standard inspection and a total home health assessment by adding rigorous safety testing for Radon and Wood-Destroying Organisms.
Total clarity and peace of mind before you unpack a single box. This is our most exhaustive technical evaluation, engineered to identify deep-system vulnerabilities.
Pre-Pay & Protect
Protection from Day One. Choose a $25 discount or a 90-day structural warranty when you pre-pay for your Buyer's Inspection.
Every project starts with our Essential Inspection. From there, you can mix and match any add-ons to fit your specific property needs. Use our online scheduler for a real-time quote based on your exact square footage and address.
Final pricing is calculated based on the specific address, total square footage, and selected ancillary inspections.
¹Local area includes Manhattan, Junction City, and Wamego. We provide regional service up to 60 miles from Manhattan (travel fees apply).
²Additional units include guest houses, mother-in-law suites, or detached living quarters on the same property.
³Mertz Inspections partners with many trusted local businesses, giving you multiple options for specialized evaluations. For your convenience, I handle all coordination and billing directly. you will receive only one comprehensive invoice for all services.
Whether I’m performing an 11-Month Warranty Inspection to catch builder defects or an Annual Maintenance Check, my goal is to educate. While I perform the technical evaluation solo to ensure total focus, I invite you to join me for a walkthrough at the end, or we can schedule a video conference to review the digital report together.
Analyzing foundations, grading, drainage, basements, and walkways to ensure your home is sound.
Evaluating coverings, drainage, flashings, skylights, and chimneys for weatherproofing integrity.
Testing service panels, branch circuits, and safety devices like smoke detectors and GFCI outlets.
Inspecting fixtures, water supply, DWV systems, water heaters, and fuel distribution lines.
Assessing furnaces, A/C units, ducts, vents, and flues for efficiency and safe operation.
Checking range hoods, ovens, dishwashers, disposals, and garage door operator safety.
Examining siding, doors, windows, and decks to identify thermal loss or moisture intrusion.
Analyzing walls, ceilings, floors, and stairs for structural shifts or concealed water damage.
Professional Standards All evaluations are non-invasive, visual examinations performed in strict accordance with the InterNACHI Standards of Practice. This ensures a consistent, high-quality assessment of all accessible material defects within your home’s systems.
No more 50-page confusing PDFs. Our digital reports use high-def imagery and clear language to give you total clarity.
Read your report on any device. Whether you are reviewing details at the hardware store or at your desk, your home's data is always accessible in a modern digital format or as a downloadable PDF.
Turn your report into a negotiation tool. Easily select specific items to generate a clean document for repair or credit requests to share with your agent. After closing, it serves as your ultimate move-in to-do list to track and prioritize home projects.
We deliver your full visual report fast, usually the day after the inspection. For those who can’t attend in person, our virtual briefings offer a face-to-face digital walkthrough to ensure you understand every finding before you sign.
Based in the heart of the Flint Hills, Mertz Inspections provides comprehensive engineering-informed inspections for families and homeowners throughout the region.
Core Area
Core Area
Core Area
Regional service available up to 60 miles from Manhattan.
Travel fees apply for properties outside of our core service area, calculated automatically by Spectora at booking.
Over 100 Verified 5-Star Reviews on Google & Spectora
"I really liked the report with pictures of items needing attention and the fact that his report could be turned into a punch list for the seller. Very easy to work with and understand."
SAINT GEORGE, KS • Homebuyer
"Lincoln is simply the best... He took the time to examine every detail, provided clear explanations, and made sure we understood any red flags and maintenance issues. His communication was prompt and helpful—he answered all our questions and made complicated concerns easy to understand."
Manhattan, KS • realtor
"We are currently serving overseas; Mr. Mertz gave us exactly the thorough and comforting inspection we needed purchasing our home."
junction city, KS • active military
No. I offer the option to pay at closing through your title company for your convenience. However, many clients choose to take advantage of my Pre-Pay Incentives by paying via your Spectora portal before the inspection.
A typical buyer's inspection usually takes between 2 to 3 hours depending on the size and condition of the home. My engineering-minded approach is thorough, ensuring every vital system is fully evaluated before we meet for the final walkthrough.
No. I prefer to perform the technical evaluation solo to ensure 100% focus on the data gathering. I invite you (and your agent) to join me for a 30-minute summary walkthrough during the final hour of the inspection, or we can review the results via a video conference later.
Efficiency is key. You will receive your full, digital Spectora report (complete with high-resolution images and my technical findings) by the following business day.
My job isn't done when the report is sent. I am available for follow-up calls or video chats to explain any technical findings so you can proceed with your purchase or negotiations with total confidence.
Absolutely! Simply select 'Homeowner's Inspections' at booking, then specify your evaluation type (Pre-Listing, 11-Month Warranty, or Annual Inspection) under the 'Inspection For' menu.
Select your Buyer’s Inspection incentive below and apply the code at checkout to redeem.
Limit: One discount code per inspection.
Simple and direct. Save $25 on your total fee when you pay before the inspection.
Extended structural, mechanical, and appliance coverage at no extra cost.
Join the hundreds of Manhattan and Flint Hills homeowners who trusted an engineering perspective for their biggest investment.
Total Aggregate Limit: $3,000.00